Prince George faces 'big year ahead' as school decision 'made' by William and Kate
Prince George is preparing to move schools as he gets older
As the new year draws closer, Prince George is on the brink of a major transition, preparing to start secondary school.
The young royal, who turned 12 over the summer, currently attends Lambrook School in Berkshire alongside his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
But with George expected to leave Lambrook at 13, speculation around his next school has been building.
Prince William and Kate Middleton ‘making decision’ over Prince George’s next school
According to sources, Prince William favoured sending George to Eton College, the prestigious all-boys boarding school he attended alongside his younger brother, Prince Harry.
Meanwhile, Kate reportedly liked a co-educational and more relaxed environment such as her alma mater Marlborough College in Wiltshire.
However, according to reports, many royal experts are predicting they’ll choose Eton for George, not just because of its prestige, but due to practical reasons as well.
Eton is just a short drive from the family’s home of Forest Lodge in Windsor.
Inside Eton College where William and Harry attended
Prince Harry, William’s younger brother and George’s uncle, spoke about attending Eton College as a young boy.
He wrote in his 2023 memoir Spare: “In the early autumn of 1998, having completed my education at Ludgrove the previous spring, I entered Eton. A profound shock.
“The finest school in the world for boys, Eton was meant to be a shock, I think.”
He added that Eton was a “heaven for brilliant boys”. Harry said: “It could thus only be purgatory for one very unbrilliant boy.”
Eton reportedly costs around £63k per year, and provides education for students aged between 13 and 18. George will turn 13 in July 2026.
Prince George’s school ‘decided’
For months, royal watchers have debated whether George will follow in his father’s footsteps by going to Eton College or potentially Marlborough College.
“Yes, this is a big year ahead,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror. “George becomes a teenager and, as William hinted when talking about phones, he’s clearly exploring a few boundaries. I suppose his new school has already been decided.”
Ms Bond believes Kate’s own experience will have influenced the decision. But her parenting values might have made the idea of boarding more difficult.
“Personally, I think it’s a great shame if he’s going to be sent away to board,” she said. “And I would have thought that would go against some of Catherine’s central beliefs.”
However, she added that Kate did attend boarding school herself and seemed to have a positive experience there, suggesting she may feel comfortable with the idea now that George is older.
The school decision also comes at a time when Princess Kate is gradually returning to public life following her cancer battle last year.
Last week, Kate delivered her first public speech in two years at the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood summit and made a red carpet appearance with William at the Royal Variety Performance.
But away from duties, Princess Kate is a doting mum to her and William’s three kids.
“I admire Catherine for practising what she preaches,” Ms Bond added. “She is a hands-on mum as much as she can possibly be, and she has encouraged William to be a full-on dad.”
Kensington Palace hasn’t yet confirmed where George will attend school next year.
Read more: Prince Harry urged to return to UK despite William’s ‘tough view’ over ‘betrayal’
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