How Princess Diana’s Bold Choice Paved the Way for Prince George’s Eton Journey
Princess Diana first changed the course of royal education by choosing Eton for William, a decision that is still shaping the royal family today.
Prince George is preparing for one of the biggest milestones of his life as he is to begin his studies at Eton College in September. While many see it as George following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, a royal expert has revealed that the story actually goes back another generation. According to a new royal biography, it was Princess Diana who first changed the course of royal education by choosing Eton for William.
While for many, George enrolling at Eton, the prestigious all-boys boarding school near Windsor Castle, may seem like a natural step, it's actually not. William attending Eton was a major break from royal tradition at the time. Before William, senior royal men, including King Charles and Prince Philip, attended Gordonstoun in the Scottish Highlands, a school known for its strict discipline and physically demanding environment.
However, it was Diana who changed it all. Author Simon Vigar says it was Diana who pushed for a different path for her eldest son. Speaking to PEOPLE while promoting his new biography The Four Wives of Windsor, Vigar said William's move to Eton was "very much a Diana decision." He elaborated, “Her brother and father went there, and of course, it was much closer to home than Gordonstoun, where Charles wasn’t happy anyway."
Charles and Diana's relationship had hit rock bottom by the time William was supposed to select a school. However, they reportedly kept their personal issues aside and came together to support their son as he joined Eton in September 1995. Following William's lead, his brother, Prince Harry, also attended the same school. The place became very important to both the brothers and even became William's safe space after Diana's tragic death in 1997, when he was just 15 years old.
“Eton was a much-needed haven for William,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith recently told PEOPLE. Now, nearly three decades later, George is preparing to walk through the same historic gates. A source close to the family recently told the outlet, “George has always wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps.” According to Vigar, Eton "ticked so many boxes for William and Catherine," making it the ideal choice for George's next chapter.
Smith believes the royal couple's decision reflects both tradition and the school's modern outlook. He explained, “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.” She added that she believes the Prince and Princess of Wales ultimately made their choice because of Eton’s academic excellence and how it helps its students prepare for leadership roles.
