Major Works Underway at Eton College Just Days Ahead of Prince George’s Arrival
EXCLUSIVE: The Royal Observer can reveal that significant building renovations are currently being carried out across several buildings at the school - including one notable house
AS Prince George prepares to start the school term at Eton College, I can exclusively reveal that extensive preparations are underway to welcome the new royal pupil.
Pictures secured by the Royal Observer reveal that significant construction and maintenance work is currently taking place on the site of the public school, with fees costing over £65,000 ($88,000) per year. There are a total of 25 boarding houses at Eton College - each housing approximately 55 boys in separate bedrooms - one of which the eldest child of Prince William and Princess Catherine will reside during term (semester) time. Prince George will follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince William and his uncle, Prince Harry, who were both educated at the prestigious institution. During their time at the school, Manor House was the home of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex.
Now, I can reveal new images showing considerable construction work taking place at the house, just days before Prince George is due to start his studies at his new school. Tools such as ladders and rubble sacks were seen at one of the entrances to Manor House, alongside raw materials such as planks of wood, which were placed by the doorway. A construction barrier was erected with the logo of Moorland Heritage, a company which specialises in the renovation of listed buildings and conservation area projects.
A large dumpster skip and a portable lavatory have been placed on the same road as Manor House, just outside its nearest neighbour, Godolphin House. It's located right next door to Prince George’s future rumoured education residence and the former house of his father and uncle. According to the Eton College website, Manor House was constructed in 1723 and was home to the first Duke of Wellington.
Similar work is being carried out across several other boarding houses, which include Waynflete and Westbury, while workers were seen attending to Cotton Hall. Part of the site even featured temporary boarding and an iron gate and orange cones as builders worked inside the courtyard, seemingly renovating parts of the property. Just opposite Manor House, scaffolding covers one side of the Geography department building - where Prince William previously studied - which also appears to be undergoing significant maintenance work.
Our exclusive pictures also reveal work carried out around the campus. Slough Road is the main highway which leads into the school. Yellow roadwork signs appear on the pavement next to Eton’s stunning library, notifying those nearby that the road has been closed nightly across several nights after 8 pm BST from September 1st. During daylight hours, fresh tarmac and newly painted road markings are clearly visible as cars make their way through the famous establishment.
In June 2026, Kensington Palace announced the news that Prince George would be attending Eton College. He turned 13 years old in July, the same age at which pupils start at the famous school. Earlier this year, he finished at Lambrook School in Berkshire, which he attended alongside his sister Princess Charlotte, 11, and his younger brother Prince Louis, seven. The Prince of Wales previously revealed that his eldest child had already started boarding at his previous school. Speaking on the Heart Radio breakfast show, when asked what message he had for his children, William responded: “Charlotte and Louis, because George is boarding last night, if you're listening, make sure you're on time, please. Make sure you're not fighting over who's listening to what this morning."
His Royal Highness will join an esteemed list of alumni who also attended the school, including A-list actors Eddie Redmayne, Hugh Laurie, Bear Grylls, Damian Lewis, Tom Hiddleston and Dominic West – who portrayed King Charles in the hit Netflix drama, The Crown. Twenty British Prime Ministers, including Lord David Cameron and Boris Johnson, also attended alongside Prince William's own uncle, Charles Spencer.
In a statement to the Royal Observer, a spokesperson for Eton College stated: "Every year, we undertake a programme of maintenance and building work during the holidays to minimise disruption to boys during term time. These works form part of our regular cycle of maintenance and estate improvements. We are not in a position to comment on roadworks undertaken by other bodies."
Words by Joshua Rom | Additional reporting by Lydia Alty.
