With Prince George quickly approaching a significant milestone age, his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, face a major decision regarding his education—one that could see them break from tradition.
Prince William and Princess Kate are considering where their eldest son, Prince George, second in line to the throne, will continue his studies after Lambrook School, where he currently studies alongside his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Lambrook educates children up to age 13, meaning a decision will soon need to be made about George’s next steps—and the choice could have a lasting impact on the monarchy.
The question remains: will the Prince and Princess of Wales maintain the status quo and rely on established traditions, or will they take a different approach and “shake things up”?
Both William and Kate experienced boarding school themselves. Prince William attended Eton College, an elite all-boys institution, alongside his brother Prince Harry, while Kate studied at Marlborough College, a co-educational boarding school. Both are prestigious and costly schools, and royal commentators are divided over which option the couple might favor for their son.
On The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, royal expert Katie Nicholl suggested that George is most likely to attend either Eton or Marlborough, following his parents’ paths. Nicholl explained that William and Kate value tradition and had positive experiences at boarding school, which makes this the most predictable route. However, she raised the question of whether the couple would choose a single-sex school like Eton or opt for a co-educational environment like Marlborough College.
In Nicholl’s view, there is “no doubt” that Prince George will ultimately attend boarding school. However, royal expert Richard Palmer offered a different perspective, suggesting that William and Kate have an opportunity to “shake things up” by sending George to a state school—a move that would align the future king with the majority of children across the country.
“Personally, I think it’s a great shame that our future head of State doesn’t actually go to a state school,” Palmer stated. “It would be fantastic if that were to happen. I think Katie’s right, it’s second nature for people of their social background to send their kids away.”
He acknowledged that if George attended Eton, its proximity to Windsor would allow him to be close to home. Yet Palmer noted that most students prefer boarding life because it allows them to be fully immersed in the school community. “You want to be a boarder, so I’m guessing all of the kids will end up boarding, even if they go to schools very close,” he added.
Palmer also raised the possibility of compromise, suggesting that even if George attends a prestigious boarding school, he could still gain a broader perspective by experiencing state education for a short period. “Maybe he’ll have a term at a state school, or maybe Eton—or wherever he goes—has a scheme that involves swapping with a state school,” he proposed.
Ultimately, Palmer emphasized that the decision is entirely up to William and Kate, as it is for any parents. “Every parent should have a choice of what school they send their kids to,” he said. “Clearly, they’re not going to be too worried about the extra 20% VAT on school fees.”
The decision regarding Prince George’s education is not just about schooling—it reflects broader expectations of tradition, modernity, and the monarchy’s evolving role. Whether the couple follows the well-trodden path or makes a bold move remains to be seen.
