Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly distressed at news that a teacher at Prince George and Princess Charlotte's former school has pled guilty to child exploitation offences.
Matthew Smith was Deputy Head of Pastoral at Thomas' Battersea School – where the eldest Wales children attended until earlier this year when they moved to Lambrook School near Ascot. Representatives for the school told Cosmopolitan UK that as soon as they learned of the charges against Smith, his employment was terminated with immediate effect.
Smith's charges (more on that later) notably do not relate to children at the prestigious school, and he only joined the establishment in September – by which time both the Prince and Princess had left.
The former Deputy Head pled guilty to distributing indecent images of children, and inciting the sexual exploitation of children. A sentencing hearing will take place at a later date at Southwark Crown Court.
"We have been shocked and distressed to learn of these charges. The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is, and always will be, our top priority," the school's representatives told Cosmopolitan UK. "As there are ongoing criminal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time other than to say that there is no suggestion that the offences relate to Mr Smith’s employment at Thomas’s or to any current or former pupils of the school."
The school accommodates boys and girls between four and 13, and fees are set at £5,868 per term at age four and increase to £6,628 from the age of seven. Every day starts with a handshake and students are expected to be "unfailingly courteous and polite".
