George Follows William's Footsteps to Eton — But Has One Great Advantage His Dad Never Had
Prince George will start his secondary education this year at Eton with an advantage that will benefit his schooling experience.
It is only a matter of time before Prince George walks the hallowed halls of Eton College this year, where he will receive his secondary education. In the past few months, there had been a lot of speculation over where the young royal would go to school. And while many secondary schools across the country might have been considered, the competition had narrowed to his parents’ alma mater, Prince William’s previous school, Eton, and Kate Middleton’s former school, Marlborough College.
When George starts his new school term, it will certainly be a milestone. Not simply because it’s the start of a new school year and a new phase of his life, but also because of the personal hardships he has faced at home in recent years due to his mother’s health battles. However, his “stable and loving home” will be a benefit to him, as per royal biographer Sally Bedell-Smith. “George’s great advantage is that he comes from a stable and loving home that appears to have become even more so as a result of Catherine’s illness. For George, it had to be a maturing experience that has given him an extra measure of empathy,” she told PEOPLE.
Eton remains a boys’ only boarding school. That particular aspect had been surprising, since many people had believed that the Prince and Princess of Wales might choose a co-educational school, so that George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis could all go to the same school one day, as they did at Lambrook School. However, Bedell-Smith said, “Yes, Eton stands for tradition, but it has moved with the times and now has a more diverse student body than it had, even in William’s day. I think their decision hinges on the school’s academic excellence and the many ways it develops its students for leadership roles.”
William seemingly had a great time at Eton, and the school is easily one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. It could be the perfect place for the future King of England to study at. Bedell-Smith added, “Eton was a much-needed haven for William. It will give George a rigorous education that he will need for his role.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales had toured several schools and had clearly not hurried the decision before choosing Eton. George has already started preparing for secondary school by boarding at Lambrook, as William mentioned during a recent radio appearance. Now all eyes will be on George, traditionally registering at Eton, and his parents dropping him off at the school on his first day.
As an Etonian now, George will be expected to wear the signature black tailcoats at school. He will be joining the ranks of his father and his uncle, Prince Harry, who also went to Eton.
