William and Kate Brace for an ‘Empty Seat at the Table’—as a Royal Tradition Calls George Away
With Prince George soon to embrace his independence, Prince William and Kate Middleton will have to adjust to a new normal.
The Waleses are regarded as a close-knit family, thanks to Prince William and Kate Middleton's hands-on approach to raising their three children. Having largely kept their not-so-little ones out of the spotlight, they now face a new chapter that may slightly shift the family dynamics. With Prince George set to attend boarding school in September, the Prince and Princess of Wales will have to adjust to a new normal with an 'empty seat at the table,' as their eldest begins to carve out his independence.
In a conversation with HELLO!, royal author Robert Jobson shed light on William and Middleton's upcoming 'emotional' shift. He said, "George going to secondary school will be an emotional time for them [William and Middleton]. It's a chance for him to spread his wings and take part in things in the afternoons and evenings instead of going home to Mum and Dad." He added, "Both of them [William and Middleton] know what it was like; they both boarded, so they know how it works. William used to go to visit the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor while he was at Eton College, but that has to be organized."
Jobson also appreciated William and Middleton's hands-on parenting, adding, "They are such a tight family unit; George will be missed. It will be like having an empty seat at the table." While it remains unclear where the 12-year-old will attend boarding school, his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, will remain with their parents at Forest Lodge for a few more years. Speaking highly of their tight-knit bond, a friend of the Waleses gushed, "They're a great example of a happy family. William has always been intent on achieving that. Catherine also comes from a near-idyllic family background, what with her two amazing parents and close sibling relationships."
On that note, it is customary for royal children to attend a prestigious boarding school, with the heir apparent usually following in their parents' footsteps. William and Prince Harry were also sent to boarding school at just eight, following the long-standing tradition. They attended Ludgrove School before moving on to the historic boys' school, Eton College, where they studied from age 13 to 18. Although the late Princess Diana was initially apprehensive about sending her boys away so young, she later said it gave them a more 'normal life,' allowing them to socialize instead of being restricted to palace tutors.
Likewise, royal expert Katie Nicholl also explained the reasoning behind Middleton and William's one strict condition for their eldest son, regardless of whether he attends Marlborough or Eton College. She told OK! magazine, "It's really important to both William and Kate that he [George] has as ordinary a secondary school life as he possibly can. But of course, it's going to feel very different for George and the family when he goes, because they've always been so close."
