Prince William arrived at Cambridge University today as some students continued to claim that he had got a “free pass” place.
The Duke of Cambridge was admitted to the university for a 10-week “bespoke” course in agricultural management despite suggestions that he falls short of Cambridge’s rigorous standards.
William, 31, will study for 18 to 20 hours a week at part of the university’s School of Technology and spend time living away from his wife Kate — who turns 32 on Thursday — and their baby son Prince George. He has accommodation near the university but will also commute to and from his family home at Kensington Palace, as well as carrying out a number of royal engagements while on the course. The Duke is likely to be away from home two or three nights a week.
The course is run by Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership, which is within the School of Technology and counts Prince Charles as its patron.
William will have access to some facilities at St John’s — though he will not become a “member” of the college — as he will attend several lectures and supervisions nearby.
Cambridge asks for at least two As and an A* at A-level to study undergraduate courses. William achieved ABC at Eton, which Cambridge University newspaper The Tab described as “mediocre”.However, the Duke did get a 2:1 Hons Degree in Geography, meeting the university’s minimum requirement for postgraduates. He will be based in the Department of Land Economy, referred to by some students as the “Department of Grass Management”.
Cambridge classics professor Mary Beard says she hopes that William will mingle with “ordinary students” to help him understand concerns about careers and debts.
Royal aides say that while the course was organised for him, there was no question of any other student places being affected.
