Kate Middleton Welcomes Prince George Back From Boarding School: “I Can’t Wait to Have Them All Home.”

When your teenage child leaves home, nothing can make the separation easy. Kate Middleton knows this all too well. She confessed to missing her eldest son, Prince George, who returned home for school break after his first few weeks at Eton College. If the Princess of Wales set aside her proverbial British composure for once, it was for a reason all mothers would understand: the joy of finally having the family reunited.

She made this revelation during a visit to a charity shop run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices in Norfolk. Between chatting with volunteers and meeting fans, Kate opened up a bit about family life. As Denise Ashton, who spoke with her, recounted, the princess couldn’t wait for George to come home. A simple statement, reported by the Press Association and picked up by People and Tyla, speaks volumes more than many official speeches.

George, second in line to the British throne, began attending Eton last September, following in his father Prince William’s footsteps. Founded in 1440, the prestigious institution is one of the most famous and selective schools in the United Kingdom, attended over the centuries by prime ministers, aristocrats, and future monarchs. But even the most exclusive boarding schools have vacations. From October 23 to November 8, the prince will enjoy what’s known as “long leave,” a 16-day break that will allow him to reunite with his family at Forest Lodge in Windsor.

Kate has been enthusiastically looking forward to the break. When a child told her that school vacation was about to begin, the princess replied, “My children break up [come home] tomorrow, and I can’t wait to have them all home.” A spontaneous remark that offered a decidedly down-to-earth glimpse of the future queen.

For Middleton and Kate, George’s departure marked a small revolution. Their eldest son, who turned 13 last July, now lives at boarding school, while Charlotte, 11, and Louis, 8, continue to attend Lambrook School.

This new family dynamic resembles that of many families that have a first child who has left home. For the Windsors, however, George is only a few kilometers from the family home, and the boarding school resembles a castle. But nostalgia, evidently, makes no distinction based on social class. Who knows—perhaps Kate has already planned some special activities for her three children over the past few days. Ashton hinted that the family might take a trip during the school break. However, no destination has been confirmed.

At any rate, Prince George can set aside his books, uniforms, and schoolwork for a bit and go back to simply being William and Kate’s eldest son. Growing up is inevitable—even when you’re destined to be king—but to your own mom, you’ll always be a little kid. That probably holds just as true at Buckingham Palace as any other home in the world.

Originally published by Vanity Fair Italy.