William and Kate look set to permanently swap Norfolk for Kensington Palace after putting Prince George's 'name down' at £6,500-a-term London school

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to leave their Norfolk residence behind for Kensington Palace in 2017.

Prince William and Kate, both 34, have reportedly decided their son Prince George, three, will be schooled in London meaning that the royal residence will be their permanent base.

It is thought the royals have put their eldest child's name down at the £6,500-a-term Wetherby School in London, just less than a mile from the palace.

Reception, here I come! Prince George, 3, began attending Westacre Montessori nursery school near Sandringham, Norfolk earlier this year .

Capital attraction: The Duke and Duchess are reportedly moving their family to Kensington Palace permanently as they take on more royal duties.

The pre-prep school was also attended by Prince William and Prince Harry and is said to be a firm favourite of the royal pair.

Both William and Kate are set to take on even more royal duties in 2017, after stepping up their responsibilities this year, and will be in need of a permanent London residence along with Princess Charlotte, one.

This also means Prince William will have to make a decision about his future as a helicopter pilot so that he is able to join Kate on a full-time basis.

His piloting contract ends in March and, according to the Daily Telegraph, it is thought the Duke may continue to work for the East Anglian Air Ambulance Service until the summer. 

Prince William and Kate, pictured with Princess Charlotte and Prince George attending a Christmas Day service in Berkshire.

The royal family will be expected to leave their Norfolk home of Anmer Hall behind to bring their children up in Kensington Palace, London.

The Duke and Duchess are also reportedly hoping to expand their own Royal Foundation charity and want to focus more on causes like mental health.

Prince William and Kate, along with Prince Harry have openly lent their support to the helping people battle mental health issues.

The Duchess pledged back in October that they will do 'what they can to shine a spotlight on emotional wellbeing' on World Mental Health Day and earlier in the year launched the Heads Together campaign.

While Kate is thought to be unhappy about a move back to London the royal pair will be helping The Queen, 90, to lighten her workload.  

SCHOOLS FIT FOR A FUTURE KING 

WETHERBY SCHOOL 

Distance from Kensington Palace: 0.7 miles

The Notting Hill school, which charges £6,540 a term, is just a 15-minute walk from Kensington Palace.

William and Harry's former school is the clear favourite when it comes to potential schools for the young prince. 

Wetherby, which charges £6,540 a term, is just a 15-minute walk from Kensington Palace, in a beautiful listed building overlooking Pembridge Square Gardens.

Many of the pupils at the all-boys school, which accommodates around 250 students, go on to Eton, St Paul's and Westminster.

Other famous old boys include Hugh Grant, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Julian Fellowes.

The uniform consists of a distinctive red tie, grey cap and scarlet-trimmed blazer.

ST MARY ABBOTS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Distance from Kensington Palace: 0.5 miles 

William and Kate's status as modern royals could be cemented if they break tradition and enroll George at St Mary Abbot's Primary School.

William and Kate's status as modern royals could be cemented if they break tradition and enroll George at a local primary school.

St Mary Abbots Primary School is just down the road from the palace and was rated 'Good' in 2014. It is also where David and Samantha Cameron sent their children.

Kate herself attended her local church school when she was a youngster, making this primary an outside contender for the young prince.  

Pupils wear a navy blue sweater with a pale blue polo top underneath. 

  

GARDEN HOUSE SCHOOL

Distance from Kensington Palace: 2.5 miles

Another on the list of contenders in London is the Garden House School in Chelsea

Another school on the list of contenders is the Garden House School in Chelsea, which is popular with the Tatler crowd. 

Boys and girls are taught separately at the £7,000-a-term school that promises to offer a 'broad and exciting curriculum'. 

Parents who are said to have had children here include Lady Helen Windsor and Roman Abramovich, while famous pupils include Formula 1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone.

Pupils wear a blue tweed jacket with grey cord trousers or three-quarter length shorts.