The Princess of Wales is navigating the significant pressures that come with raising a future king, with a major decision about Prince George's education looming large. Insiders report that Kate Middleton is feeling a profound sense of responsibility to "get it right" for her eldest son, Prince George, who is now 12 years old.
The Weight of a Future King's Education
As the second-in-line to the throne, Prince George's path is uniquely prescribed, placing a particular emphasis on the choices made for his upbringing and schooling. Both Kate and Prince William are said to be meticulously considering their options for his next school, with his happiness being the top priority in their final decision. The couple are renowned for prioritising their children—George, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven—above their royal duties, often handling the school runs themselves and dedicating school holidays to family time.
Currently, all three Wales children attend Lambrook School in Berkshire, close to their new family home, Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, which they moved into in the autumn of 2025. However, as George approaches a key transition in his secondary education, the spotlight is on where he will go next.
The Frontrunners: Eton vs. Marlborough
According to reports, the two schools leading the consideration are the Prince of Wales's alma mater, Eton College, and the Princess's former school, Marlborough College. Eton, where both William and Prince Harry were educated, is an all-boys institution with fees exceeding £63,000 per year. Marlborough, a co-educational boarding school, costs parents £61,809 annually.
The co-educational aspect of Marlborough presents a potential long-term advantage, as it could allow all three siblings to attend the same institution when Charlotte and Louis are older. This aligns with William and Kate's well-documented desire to provide as normal and united a family life as possible for their children.
A Mission to Avoid Royal Loneliness
Central to Kate's approach is a determination to shield George from the isolation that can accompany his destined role. This concern is informed by King Charles III's own candid reflections on the loneliness he experienced as a young heir. "I’ve perhaps been more lonely," Charles once said in an interview at age 21. "I haven’t made a lot of friends... Essentially, it is, I suppose, compared with other people’s lives, more lonely."
Kate, whose "life's work" focuses on early childhood development, is reportedly desperate to avoid this "toxic" condition. Her strategy involves grounding George's childhood in routine, family connection, and responsibility. This includes:
- Ensuring regular time with his grandparents, Carole and Michael Middleton.
- Involving him in everyday family errands.
- Maintaining a strong presence at school and sporting events.
An anecdote from a Windsor local illustrates this effort, recalling a young Prince George happily eating orange segments in a soft furnishings shop while his grandmother Carole browsed fabric samples.
For the Princess of Wales, motherhood is a daunting task made infinitely more complex by the destiny of her firstborn. The upcoming school decision is not merely about academic prestige, but about fostering a well-rounded, connected, and happy individual who can one day bear the weight of the crown without bearing the burden of solitude.
