The decision is official, and it’s a full circle moment for the Royal Family as his father, Prince William, once attended Eton College.
Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince George will be attending Eton College starting this September, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William. The announcement put an end to months of speculation about where the future king would continue his education. I think it’s safe to say the Eton camp won.
George, who turns 13 in July, has been attending Lambrook School in Ascot alongside his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, since the family relocated to their home at Forest Lodge in Windsor. But Lambrook only goes up to age 13, so the time had come for the Prince of Wales’s eldest to move on to secondary school. William and Kate ultimately chose the same institution that shaped William himself.
Eton Beat Out Kate’s Alma Mater After Months of Speculation
The choice wasn’t a foregone conclusion. For years, royal watchers debated whether George would follow his dad to Eton or follow his mom, Princess Catherine, to Marlborough College. Marlborough had one particularly compelling argument going for it. It’s co-ed, which would have meant Charlotte could eventually join her brother there. But in the end, all roads led to Eton.
And what a school it is. Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton has spent centuries educating Britain’s future leaders. The alumni list includes former Prime Ministers Robert Walpole, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson, and the school is known for its academic rigor, extensive extracurricular programs, and deep ties to public life, politics, and the armed forces. It doesn’t come cheap either. Tuition currently runs over £60,000 a year, or roughly $28,000 per term.
Eton Has Deep Royal Roots and a Special Connection to William
For George, the connection to Eton runs deeper than just his dad. His uncle Prince Harry also attended, as did his great-uncle Earl Charles Spencer. When William enrolled in 1995, it was actually a break from longstanding royal tradition — King Charles, Prince Philip, and several other relatives had all gone to Gordonstoun in Scotland. But William thrived at Eton and has spoken warmly about his time there, including the perk of being close enough to pop in for tea with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle.
Experts seem to think George is in good hands. One education specialist told the BBC that while Eton’s buildings are ancient, it’s a modern school with a progressive outlook and top-tier facilities. Many think that his parents made the decision because it represents the best possible preparation for life as a working royal.
George’s Path to Eton Looks Very Different From His Father’s
It’s worth noting that George’s situation heading into Eton looks a lot more settled than his father’s did back in 1995. When William arrived as a 13-year-old, his parents had already officially separated, and the breakdown of the royal marriage played out very publicly during his school years. For George, things are different. He’s coming from a stable, close-knit family environment, which royal commentators have pointed out as a meaningful distinction.
George will start at Eton this coming fall, stepping into one of Britain’s most storied institutions and, in a lot of ways, into the next chapter of what it means to be a future king.