Thousands of children have started secondary school in the past few months, but Prince George is not among them.** Despite celebrating his 11th birthday, George will continue his education at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where his younger siblings, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, are also enrolled. At this point, he will not be starting Year Seven at a new school this September.
Reports indicate that his mother, Princess Catherine, is heartbroken following an argument with Prince William over where their eldest son should attend secondary school. Now, Catherine's younger brother, James Middleton, has shared his thoughts on the institution that Prince George might eventually attend.
Both Prince William and his brother were educated at Eton College, which marked a departure from the older generation's tradition of attending a Scottish boarding school. While William hopes that George will follow in their footsteps and attend Eton when he is of age, Catherine is not keen on the idea.
Last year, George took his first major set of tests, as most UK independent schools require students to take common entrance exams at either 11+ or 13+. He was spotted visiting Eton College with his parents in June 2022. Catherine was also seen touring Marlborough College last year, sparking speculation that George could potentially enroll at the co-educational independent boarding school in Wiltshire when he turns 13.
Sources reveal that Catherine is eager to break away from tradition, especially considering her own experiences; she was bullied at her first boarding school and cannot bear the thought of George enduring similar treatment. Recently, her brother commented on Marlborough, issuing a blunt six-word verdict: "It's all about the best grades." He found this focus challenging during his time as a student there. Despite these feelings, he acknowledged that the school was fantastic and that he was fortunate to receive his education there.
If George is destined for Eton, which is conveniently close to the Wales' Windsor home, Charlotte would not be able to join her brothers at the boys' boarding school. This could lead to a significant move away from her family for the young princess. In contrast, King Charles holds more traditional views and is not inclined to modernize. He would prefer George to follow the path of his predecessors and attend the elite boarding school, which puts him at odds with Catherine, who believes this mindset is outdated.
Discussing Eton, it’s worth noting that in the past, boys were kept on school grounds all the time. However, it's now common for mothers to visit for a coffee or tea on the High Street, and students are permitted to go home overnight on Saturdays or Sundays. Catherine thinks sending George to a "stuffy upper-crust institution" contradicts their efforts to modernize the monarchy. Additionally, she would miss George terribly.
While Marlborough is an option, it is quite a journey. Although a royal fleet is expected to facilitate travel, they won’t be able to pop home for tea easily. Charlotte would face a more intense boarding experience there. Managing editor Melanie speculated, “My instinct is that you’ll want to keep it a little bit closer to home.”
Another potential school for the young royals is Charterhouse School in Godalming, which is about a 45-minute drive from Windsor. The issue has reportedly become a significant point of contention in the Wales household, leading to hours of arguments over the decision. Catherine has long opposed sending George away, despite the tradition. However, reports suggest that she has conceded to William's wishes regarding his education.
It has also been revealed that the royal mother of three keeps in touch with her brother via a relatable app. Following her shocking cancer diagnosis and subsequent stay at a London clinic, this will undoubtedly be a challenging time for her three children. It is believed that the 41-year-old princess has been connecting with her kids using FaceTime, especially while Prince William cares for the trio at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate.
