LONDON — The Prince and Princess of Wales have left Balmoral Castle after a summer stay with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, returning south as their children prepare for the new school year and Prince George prepares to start boarding at Eton College.

Hello! magazine reported Thursday that William, Catherine and their three children — Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8 — departed the Scottish estate earlier in the week on a commercial flight, their usual travel arrangement for family holidays. The Wales family had arrived at Balmoral around Aug. 20 and were seen with other members of the royal family at Sunday service at Crathie Kirk on Aug. 23.

The departure marks the end of the traditional late-summer gathering in the Highlands and the start of a busy period at home near Windsor. Charlotte and Louis will return to Lambrook School. George will begin at Eton College in September, following his father and his uncle, Prince Harry.

Kensington Palace confirmed the school choice in June, saying: "Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September."

A source told Hello! that proximity to home was a key factor. "You can see Eton College from Windsor Castle. So that would be lovely for George to be able to pop home. And the boys now are allowed a little bit of freedom to pop in and out of school at the weekends,........

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