Princess Eugenie's first day of college

Princess Eugenie (R) with her sister and mother /AP

Princess Eugenie started college this week at Newcastle University. The 19-year granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth was due to move into her £100-a-week dorm on the 24th. She should attend her first classes next week, as she works towards a degree in English and History of Art. Due to timing she missed her first week of freshman orientation. HRH will be guarded by royal protection officers throughout the three-year program, but she will be looking to be as much of a “normal” student as possible. The Princess certainly can look to her older cousin Prince William for how to do that, as he was generally left alone while at St. Andrews. She spent her gap year traveling, taking in Australia, South Africa and Cambodia.

Princess Eugenie scored the highest on her A-levels of any member of the royal family. She appears to be more academically minded than her sister or either of her parents. So going north to Newcastle is a real step of independence for one of the younger Windsor cousins. As one royal observer noted today, she was born with a ‘Princess’ title, unlike Princess Anne’s children. With that title comes many responsibilities, duties, and lots of watchful eyes. In the coming reign of King William V, many of the extended family will fade into the background. Princess Eugenie seems to be preparing well for the future – where a title of Princess alone will not gain respect, but works and deeds will. A good education can only go to further that goal.