Prince George ‘Always Wanted to Follow’ His Father’s Footsteps ― When It Came to One Thing
Prince William's own experiences appear to have left a lasting impression on Prince George, according to a royal insider.
Just a few days ago, Kensington Palace officially confirmed that Prince George, the oldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, will attend Eton College this September, following the path of both his dad and his uncle, Prince Harry. In recent news, fresh claims have now emerged about the young royal’s long-held ambitions. According to a source close to the Wales family, George has "always wanted to follow" his father’s footsteps, making the decision to enroll at the prestigious boarding school a particularly meaningful one.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have always prioritized their family life, choosing a quieter home in Windsor and protecting their kids from much of the public attention that comes with royal life. As reported by PEOPLE, Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson spoke of this and said, “They (William and Kate) have been very careful not to pressure any of them (George, Charlotte, and Louis) to appear on the public stage too often. It’s been a gentle introduction to royal life, which has let Prince George build his confidence.”
Anderson further spoke about the Eton decision and said, "Both William and Catherine carried out a lot of research to make the right decision." She added, “William loved his time at Eton, but he would have thought about what school would be the best for George’s strengths, qualities, and personality.” For William, Eton was more than just a prestigious institution; it became an important source of support during some of the most challenging years of his youth. It was a time when he was going through intense public scrutiny and personal loss, and he was lucky enough to find guidance from some trusted mentors there.
Those experiences helped make Eton a place of lasting significance in his life. Additionally, another advantage of Eton is its location. The school is just a short drive from the Wales family's home in Windsor, which would probably allow George to enjoy boarding school life while still staying closely connected to his parents and siblings. It's a balance that William experienced himself and one that likely appealed to the family when making their decision. Meanwhile, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith also commented on the decision and said, “Eton was a much-needed haven for William. It will give George a rigorous education that he will need for his role."
Smith added, "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." It's worth noting that with annual fees of around $80,000, the prestigious institution has produced numerous influential figures, including 20 prime ministers and several members of the royal family.
