Sharing a classroom with the future King is undoubtedly a unique experience, and no one is more aware of that than the Wales family. Prince William and Princess Catherine are known for being hands-on parents, often taking on the daily responsibilities of raising their children themselves. Regulars on the school run, they are a familiar sight to other parents at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are currently enrolled. By now, fellow parents are likely used to seeing the royal couple at school events.
With this in mind, both the future King and Queen understand that their presence can sometimes cause a bit of a stir. Royal correspondent Richard Palmer noted that they are keen to ensure their presence does not make life difficult for fellow parents. Despite their high-profile status, they occasionally oblige requests for photos. Discreet security measures are in place at Lambrook School to protect the children, but that doesn’t prevent the occasional rogue photographer from attempting to take pictures or parents sharing images online, such as George playing football.
Before attending Lambrook, Prince Louis’ older siblings were both pupils at Thomas’s Battersea, a prestigious day school where tuition fees now reach up to £10,450 per term. Lambrook caters to students up to the age of 13, meaning that before long, Prince George will need to move on to a secondary school. The couple has not yet announced their decision on where he will continue his education, but one leading contender is Marlborough College, where Catherine herself studied.
Marlborough College has been suggested as a strong choice, partly because all three of the Wales children could potentially attend, reducing security costs. The school is known for its rigorous academic program, described as "progressive, challenging, and enriching," with a curriculum based on the national standard. According to the school’s prospectus, its goal is to help students excel in exams while fostering a lifelong love of learning. Marlborough College also offers a bespoke study skills program known as the "Marlborough Mindset.
Located more than an hour’s drive from the Wales family’s home in Windsor, the £59,000-a-year co-educational boarding school provides full-time boarding facilities. Historically, the school’s site was once the home of the Seymour family, who later relocated to Wolf Hall, inspiring Hilary Mantel’s acclaimed Wolf Hall trilogy. Notable alumni include poet Siegfried Sassoon, poet John Betjeman, and comedian Jack Whitehall.
Prince William and Princess Catherine are reportedly mindful of the taxpayer cost associated with their security. Having their children attend three different schools in separate parts of the country would present logistical challenges. Other schools rumored to be under consideration include Oundle School in Northamptonshire and St Edward’s School in Oxford. Eton College, Prince William’s alma mater, is also a strong contender, particularly as it is close to the family’s current residence, Adelaide Cottage.
Many speculate that George will follow in his father’s footsteps by attending Eton College, an all-boys boarding school. However, this is not necessarily a certainty. Prince William later attended the University of St Andrews, where he initially studied art history before switching to geography and ultimately graduating with a Master of Arts degree. His brother, Prince Harry, opted not to attend university and instead joined Sandhurst, the British Army’s military academy, where he was commissioned as an officer in 2006.
Education within the royal family has varied over the years. Princess Anne was initially educated at home, similar to her mother, for the first 13 years of her life. However, she later requested to attend school and enrolled at Benenden School in Kent in 1963. King Charles III attended Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, where he studied archaeology, anthropology, and history. Prince Edward followed in his footsteps, studying history at Jesus College, Cambridge, before joining the Royal Marines as a university cadet. Meanwhile, Prince Andrew, like Prince Harry, did not attend university but completed a Royal Navy commissioning course at Britannia Royal Naval College, alongside various military training programs throughout his career.
