The Journal
STUDENT digs are not known for being plush, but the ones in Newcastle have been given the royal seal of approval.
Princess Eugenie starts her degree at Newcastle University next month and has taken up a place in a £96-a-week hall of residence.
The 19-year-old, who is sixth in line to the throne, says she wants to be treated just like any other student and will be sharing a living room and kitchen with five other undergraduates.
The Queen’s granddaughter will have her own small en-suite bedroom with a single bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers and desk.
Her choice of accommodation is in stark contrast to her big sister, Beatrice, who turned down digs at London’s Goldsmiths College last September and moved into an apartment in St James’s Palace. However, Eugenie’s move to the halls won’t be cheap, as she’ll be joined by a team of Metropolitan Police bodyguards, costing more than £250,000 a year.
The guards, who will be with the princess around the clock, are relocating to Newcastle. Last month, two detectives travelled to the city with Eugenie to look around the campus and inspect her future accommodation.
Eugenie plans to study for a BA in English and history of art. A number of her friends are also thought to be coming to Newcastle.
Fortunately for the party-loving princess, the university also boasts one of the best student social scenes in the country with six bars to chose from.
Eugenie achieved two As in her A-levels in art and English literature and a B in history of art. Her gap year saw her partying in places as far flung as Australia, South Africa, Cambodia and Goa.
A friend said: “She chose Newcastle because it offered a great degree course and it seems a really fun place to go. Eugenie is a very down to earth girl who hates using her title and she was adamant that she wanted to live in halls with her friends. She just wants to be treated like any other undergraduate.
“The issue of police protection is totally out of her hands. She hates it as much as anyone.”
Eugenie is not the first royal of her generation to take up a place in halls of residence. Prince William spent his first year in university accommodation when he went to St Andrew’s.
On the princess’s move to Newcastle, the city’s Lord Mayor, Mike Cookson, said: “Newcastle is a beautiful, lively, safe and welcoming city, which is justifiably popular with students.
“We’re very pleased that the princess will have the opportunity to experience all of this for herself.”
A Newcastle University spokesman said he couldn’t comment on any individual student.
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