Prince George has followed in the footsteps of his dad and uncle to kickstart his secondary school at an uber-elite college.

The 13-year-old was accompanied by his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, as he arrived for his first day at Eton College.

Meeting with headmaster Simon Henderson and other senior staff, proud mum Princess Kate placed a hand on her son’s back.

“Welcome, good luck, enjoy it,” Mr Henderson said to the future king.

As it rained, the group made small talk about the bad weather before they entered the school grounds.

“If it rains, it rains for ages,” Prince William was heard saying.

Prince George arrived wearing smart casual clothes - dark trousers, a jacket, shirt and tie.

The teenager was later photographed in “school dress”, a uniform standardised in the 1960s of a black tailcoat, waistcoat and pinstriped trousers, with a stiff white collar.

Those images were shared on the Prince and Princess’ Instagram post with the caption, “George’s first day at Eton”.

The school, located just across the River Thames from Windsor Castle in the town of Eton, has a long list of famous alumni.

Prince William attended for five years from 1995 and served as house captain and prefect before graduating to attend St Andrews University.

Prince Harry started at the school three years after his brother.

Both royals were allowed to complete their time at Eton without media intrusion and Prince George’s parents will be hoping he receives the same courtesy.

“I’ve really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student,” Prince William said in June 2000, the BBC reported.

Other past students include actors Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie and Eddie Redmayne, 20 prime ministers including Lord David Cameron, writers George Orwell and Ian Fleming, and adventurer Bear Grylls.

Beyond academic learning and sporting activities, Eton has a reputation for instilling self-reliance and leadership as students have to fulfil many non-academic tasks themselves.

Admission is rigorous, with the boys going through stringent tests and parents pay an annual fee of £63,298 ($A118,738) for a school whose name is likely to be more influential than the academic qualifications gained by pupils.

Prince George turned 13 in July and has spent part of the summer in Scotland with his family enjoying a break from studies after leaving Lambrook School, a private prep school in Berkshire he attended with siblings Princess Charlotte, 11, and eight-year-old Prince Louis.

-With AP