As students across the UK prepare to open their GCSE exam results, even the royal family were once in their position, with some proving far more academically inclined than others.
Despite attending some of the finest schools with access to world-class tutors, royal family members also experienced the anxiety of not knowing what lay inside their exam results envelope.
Prince William and Prince Harry
Future King Prince William proved himself among the most academically gifted members of the royal family. He spent five years at Ludgrove Prep School in Berkshire before moving on to Eton College. The Prince of Wales left with 12 GCSEs, and while his exact grades remain undisclosed, they were strong enough to propel him into his A-levels. He achieved As in Geography and History of Art, along with a C in Biology, securing a place at St Andrews University.
Prince Harry, despite following his brother to Eton, proved less academically driven. He was a sports captain who represented the school in rugby, polo and cricket. He achieved 11 GCSEs before gaining a B in Art and D in Geography at A-level. Rather than pursuing university, Harry opted to enlist in the Army.
Princess Kate and Meghan Markle
The Princess of Wales sat her GCSEs at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she gained 11 GCSEs. She subsequently secured As in Maths and Art and a B in English for her A-levels. Like William, Kate took a gap year before attending St Andrews University to read History of Art, where she met her future husband.
Meghan Markle, growing up in the US, did not follow the same educational trajectory. She began secondary education at Immaculate Heart High School in 1992, where she was acknowledged as a hardworking and committed pupil. America does not use GCSEs or A-levels, and while her SAT scores have not been made public, she obtained the required grades to gain a university place. She earned a double major in Theatre and International Relations from Northwestern University in 2003, completing an internship at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, where she became fluent in Spanish, and also studied French for six years.
Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, King Charles and Princess Diana
Princess Beatrice achieved nine GCSEs including two A*s, with her strongest subjects being history and drama, and As in French and Art, alongside Bs in all remaining subjects. Princess Eugenie secured two A*s, four As and three Bs at Marlborough College. A spokeswoman for her mother, Sarah Ferguson, said at the time: "She's feeling relieved and really happy."
King Charles was sent to Gordonstoun, a rigorous Scottish boarding school. He departed with five O-levels and two A-levels — a B in History and a C in French — before attending Cambridge University, where he obtained a 2:2 degree in History.
Princess Diana sat O-levels rather than GCSEs but failed to pass, even after two attempts. She then enrolled at a finishing school in Switzerland, where she thrived in deportment.
