Being part of one of the most famous families in the world certainly has its perks, but it comes with its drawbacks too. Prince George, at just 11 years old, carries a significant responsibility as the second in line to the British throne. Despite the monumental future that awaits him, his parents have chosen to shield him from the realities of that future, aiming to provide him with as normal an upbringing as possible.
While the royal family lives a very public life, they face challenges similar to those of any other family. One of the recent issues for the Wales family has been deciding where George will attend school. It’s intriguing, considering that Princess Catherine spends much of her time advocating for giving children a better start in life, which includes discussions about reducing inequality. The choice of school for their oldest son and future king will reveal a lot about William and Catherine's values. They have always expressed a desire to give their children a typical childhood, but if that’s the case, would they consider sending them to a boarding school like Eton?
Remember when George was chosen to be a Page of Honour for King Charles's coronation in May 2023? It was undoubtedly a huge honor for the then-nine-year-old, but he requested a change to one royal tradition: the outfit worn by the Pages. George expressed his reluctance to wear the traditional white knee breeches, fearing he might be teased at Lambrook, the school in Berkshire that he attends with his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. According to a source, he wasn’t keen on wearing tights either, as it could lead to rivalry at school. King Charles granted George's request, allowing the Pages to wear trousers instead.
I suspect that if they choose to send their children to school, all three will go together or none at all. I would cheer them on if they decided to keep their children close and nurture them through adolescence, just as they have done during their early years. Given his own experiences, it was clear that King Charles would not send his children to Gordonstoun, allowing William and his brother to remain in London, where William attended Eton College.
Susan Cameron, the former headmistress of the school, noted that Catherine felt unsettled and not particularly happy during her time there. Some claimed that she was simply too sensitive. Catherine may have felt like a fish out of water or as if she didn't quite belong. Cameron added, "I have no knowledge of any serious bullying at all, but there’s what everyone calls bullying and then there’s actual, real miserable bullying, where someone has a dreadful time. That certainly didn’t happen. Yes, there would be teasing; it’s all part of the normal competition of growing up and establishing a pecking order. Girls can be rather cruel by nature, and if you’re attractive, that can be seen as a threat. Those who seem weaker or haven’t yet shown their strengths are often the ones who get picked on."
It’s fair to say that Catherine was indeed unsettled and not particularly happy. Perhaps she just went quiet and didn’t voice her feelings. The former headmistress continued, noting that Catherine’s experiences ultimately shaped her into the woman she is today. Ultimately, Miss Middleton transferred to another school, Marlborough College, which charged a tuition of £12,000 per year. This became her new home in 1996, where she thrived and even met her first boyfriend.
Upon returning from summer break at 16, Catherine had transformed in many ways. She impressed everyone with her talent in hockey and cross-country running. According to her former classmate Gemma Williamson, every boy at the school fancied her; she had blossomed into an absolute beauty. Denise Alfred, a former teacher, noted that the significant change in her appearance was partly due to losing her childhood braces. While Pippa was more of a tomboy, Catherine had shed her braces and was looking stunning. She even topped the "fit list," which boys would sometimes pin on walls, boosting her confidence even further.
