Prince George Laughs at Unscripted Moment with Prince William and Kate Middleton During Eton College Debut

NEED TO KNOW Prince George arrived for his first day at Eton College on Tuesday, Sept. 8 The 13-year-old prince was accompanied by his parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton As they walked across the schoolyard, the family was seen laughing at an umbrella malfunction There was an unexpected moment during Prince George's arrival at Eton College. The 13-year-old prince arrived for his first day at the prestigious, all-boys boarding school on Tuesday, Sept. 8, accompanied by his parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, both 44. As the family entered the schoolyard to be greeted by some of the school administrators, some rain was falling. Princess Kate held an umbrella over her head, but when Prince William attempted to open his, it appeared to malfunction, turning inside out. The Prince of Wales was eventually able to get his umbrella shut again and opted to carry it closed, but the unscripted moment had the trio swapping smiles and laughing as they made their way across the quadrangle. Kate Middleton, Prince George and Prince William arrive for George's first day at Eton College on Sept. 8, 2026. Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty After they crossed the courtyard, Prince George and his parents were welcomed by Simon Henderson, the headmaster of the school, and Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the provost of Eton, who serves as the chair of the governing body. 'Welcome,' Henderson told George. 'Good luck. Enjoy it.' Kate Middleton, Prince George and Prince William arrive for George's first day at Eton College on Sept. 8, 2026. Adrian DENNIS / POOL / AFP via Getty The family outing echoed Prince William's own first day at Eton 31 years ago. Despite King Charles and Princess Diana's separation in 1992, both parents were present when the then-13-year-old started his studies at the school in September 1995. 'Eton was a much-needed haven for William,' royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith previously told PEOPLE. Through difficult times, including Diana's death in 1997, William developed a close bond with housemaster Andrew Gailey and several friends who remain part of his inner circle. 'George will benefit from a group of friends who will remain close and loyal,' says Bedell Smith. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Prince William's time at Eton also allowed him to form a closer bond with his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth. The school is located just across the River Thames from Windsor Castle, one of the monarch's official residences, and the prince recalled popping by when he had downtime from classes to share 'the best teas' with the monarch. 'For me, Windsor is her,' he told Eugene Levy during his candid 2025 appearance on the actor and comedian's Apple TV+ series, The Reluctant Traveler. 'My grandparents were of a different generation. I think when we were younger, it was harder to have that very close relationship because it was quite formal, but as they got older and I got older, it got warmer and warmer,' he added. Kate Middleton and Prince George share a laugh on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour festivities on June 13, 2026. Chris Jackson/Getty The umbrella malfunction at Eton wasn't the first time that the royals have shared a public laugh at an unscripted moment. During the royals' appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour festivities in June, Prince George appeared to be suppressing a sneeze as the crowd sang 'God Save the King.' When the song was over and he was able to let the sneeze out, it triggered laughter from not just the prince, but his mother, who was standing beside him.