One of the surefire ways to know that the summer holidays are coming to an end is when the royals start leaving Balmoral, their Scottish abode that they normally reside in over the break.
And HELLO! understands that the Wales family are no longer in Balmoral, with the family leaving earlier in the week, departing on a commercial flight, as they typically do for their holidays.
It will be a busy few days for the Wales family as they prepare to send their children back to school next week. While Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be returning to Lambrook, it'll be an all-new adventure for Prince George, who will be starting at Eton College.
William and Kate arrived in Balmoral last week, around the same time that William's estranged brother, Prince Harry, confirmed that he would be moving back to the UK with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
At the time of their announcement, HELLO!'s royal editor Emily Nash said that the Prince and Princess of Wales were "not delighted" about the news.
Speaking on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast, she said: "Well, what is intriguing about this is the complete radio silence coming from that end of the spectrum. And what's interesting about it is that they're normally away at this time of year. I imagine they're not delighted about this.
"It's going to be a very, very difficult hill to climb, having them suddenly back in the UK, popping up, doing things publicly, if that's where they go with this. So much has been said and done that has damaged that relationship, almost beyond repair."
During their time in Balmoral this year, several members of the royal family were seen heading to Crathie Kirk, the small parish church nearby. Among those spotted in attendance were Charles, Camilla, William, Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis.
© Getty ImagesOthers included Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, as well as Prince Edward and his daughter Lady Louise Windsor.
Prince George's big change
It was confirmed in June that George would start attending Eton College, with Kensington Palace saying in a statement: "Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September."
Speaking on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast before the decision was announced, The Good Schools' Guide managing editor Melanie Sanderson revealed why the decision makes sense for the family.
© WireImageShe said: "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, to come home for Sunday lunch or tea on a Saturday evening after their sports fixtures."
Provisions are already in place for the youngster's arrival at the start of the next term, with new 'No photography' signs being put up on fences outside to ensure the media and members of the public do not invade the privacy of pupils.
© WireImageWhen Prince William attended Eton College, a deal was struck with the press that they would be afforded arranged shoots with William if they left him alone the rest of the time, and this could well be a similar set-up for Prince George.
