Coronavirus: Prince George and Princess Charlotte to be home-schooled as pandemic shuts down UK schools
Prince George and Princess Charlotte will no longer be attending school and will be given their lessons at home amidst the coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 205,000 people worldwide.
The young royals, six and four respectively, will be taught at home following advice from their school, Thomas's School in Battersea, which has recommended that all parents remove their children from classes by Friday, March 20.
The news was confirmed by a spokesperson for Thomas's, which has a total of four high-end schools in Battersea, Clapham, Kensington, and Fulham.
"Due to the increasing numbers of children and staff being absent from school due to the Coronavirus situation, Thomas’s London Day Schools have decided to move to remote learning from Friday 20 March," said the spokesperson.
"From this date, the curriculum will be taught through online learning platforms and we have asked parents to keep their children at home and to access their lessons through this system," the spokesperson continued. "This will ensure that children have continuity of learning when they are unable to attend school."
"In cases where families are not in a position to keep their children at home (such as those who are ‘front line staff’ in the medical profession, for example), the school will remain physically open until the last day of term, Thursday, 26th March."
"We appreciate the support of our school community as we continue to provide the best possible solution for our pupils during these challenging times."
The move is a precautionary one as no one has been found to be positive for Covid-19 in any of Thomas's four schools despite several children being tested for the novel coronavirus.
The closure of schools has a been a matter of urgent debate in the UK ever since it became apparant that the coronavirus will be here to stay for some time. Schools in Scotland and Wales are to close from Friday in response to the outbreak, and it is expected that schools in England will follow suit shortly after.
The announcement of Prince George and Princess Charlotte being home-schooled follows shortly after it was announced that the Queen would be leaving Buckingham Palace and stepping down from all future engagements to remain at Windsor Castle during the pandemic.
"Her Majesty will move to Windsor Castle for the Easter period on Thursday 19 March, one week earlier than planned. It is likely the Queen will stay there beyond the Easter period," a statement from the palace read.
The UK has 1,961 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 72 reported deaths.