IMPORTANT CHANGES! THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES ARE MAKING A BIG DECISION
Prince William and Kate Middleton could break with tradition and decide not to send their eldest son, Prince George, to the historic Eton College, it’s been suggested.
Speculation is growing that George might, instead, follow in his mother’s footsteps, and be educated at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.
Prince William and Prince Harry both went to Eton, a revered institution which, for centuries, has been known as the “the nursery of the wellborn and wealthy.” Situated near Windsor in Berkshire, the 400-acre campus has enjoyed a royal seal of approval since its founding by King Henry VI in 1440.
However, it’s suggested that the Princess of Wales isn’t as sold on continuing the tradition, not being a fan of single-sex schools like Eton.
And Prince Harry’s vocal dislike for the institution might not have done anything to change Kate’s mind. During his bout of media activity to promote his memoir Spare at the start of 2023, Harry opened up about how he felt he didn’t fit in at the school and was not welcomed by his elder brother.
It was previously reported that George’s schooling was the cause of a fight between his parents, and one which Prince William had seemingly won. However, as it appears they are still looking at schools with another visit to Marlborough, perhaps Kate hasn’t given up just yet and Eton isn’t a definite.
The Daily Mail report that for the second time in recent months, the Princess of Wales was seen touring her own alma mater, Marlborough, a school where she excelled academically and developed her well-known love for sports including hockey and tennis.
If George was to go to Marlborough instead, there’ll still be a long family connection. Not only did his mother go there, but Princess Eugenie also attended.
If the Princess of Wales can convince William to break with the tradition of Eton, it is yet another sign that the pair consider themselves “equal partners” – and the future King really does respect his wife’s input.
Although it is understood that no firm decision has yet been made about what school George will attend, the family are in full preparation mode for George’s upcoming exams which will be a determining factor.
In October, Kate revealed that she had been helping him prepare, telling pupils at a secondary school in Cardiff, “George is just at the beginning of being tested. He says, ‘Mummy, I keep getting tested all the time.’”
And in November, the Princess missed Prince William’s Earthshot Prize ceremony in Singapore to support George during his exams.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are planning a major change in their eldest son’s life.
While the whole world is gleefully discussing the appearance of the Prince and Princess of Wales’ family at the Christmas service, the future king and queen of Great Britain are concerned about a serious issue concerning their first-born child. Where will Prince George, who in the future will become the king of the United Kingdom, will be educated – quite an important question, you will agree. In Britain, boys from rich and noble families most often from the age of 13 begin to study in private boarding schools, which prepare students to enter universities. Prince George is still only 10, but his parents are already thinking about this difficult choice.
Earlier it was reported that the royal family was seen at Eton College, which has a reputation as an educational institution for the elite. However, it appears that the final decision has not yet been made, and William, Prince of Wales, and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, still continue to choose an educational institution for their eldest son.
Eton College was attended by Prince William and his brother Prince Harry, but there is a possibility that Prince George will continue his studies at another institution. The young prince may be educated at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where his mother Princess Catherine also studied.
The Princess of Wales recently visited the £47,000-a-year co-educational school for the second time in a matter of months. The second time accompanied by her husband and ten-year-old George.
It is said that Catherine is not a fan of boys-only schools such as Eton, and she did not enjoy her studies at Down House, a boarding school for girls in Berkshire. However, she did enjoy her studies at Marlborough College, where she excelled in her studies and in sports, including hockey and tennis.
No firm decision has yet been made, but Catherine visited Marlborough College with George and William on 1 December, having previously attended the college on her own in October.
Prince George currently attends a co-educational preparatory school in Lambrook with his eight-year-old sister Princess Charlotte and five-year-old brother Prince Louis. Not far from their grandparents’ Middleton home, pupils up to the age of 13 are educated here, meaning George will have to change schools in 2026.
Prince George joined Lambrook last year and is currently in Year 6. He recently sat exams which could affect his future education.
But if he continues at a school that caters for both boys and girls, such as Marlborough, his sibling may join him later. Catherine, Princess of Wales, received a similar education with her younger sister Pippa and brother James.
Princess Eugenie was also a pupil at Marlborough School.
In October, Catherine revealed that she had been helping her eldest son prepare for exams. According to her, George was constantly taking tests.
Last month, the Princess of Wales even skipped Prince William’s Earthshot Award ceremony in Singapore to support George during exams.
On the same day as the visit to Marlborough College, mum, dad and their eldest son enjoyed a modest lunch at Tray’s Cafe on nearby Barrs Yard in Hangerford, while their security guards were on duty nearby. A member of staff at the café, which is a 15-minute drive from the school, shared his impressions after meeting members of the royal family. He said the meeting was “absolutely delightful” and “couldn’t have been better”.
Both Eton and Marlborough have similar application processes, involving assessments and interviews that begin when pupils reach George’s age.
