After months of speculation, the Prince and Princess of Wales have confirmed that their eldest son, Prince George, will attend Eton College in September. The announcement ends years of rumors about which secondary school the young prince would attend.
Official Confirmation
On Tuesday, Kensington Palace released a statement on behalf of Prince William and Princess Kate, saying: "Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from September." The statement did not specify whether George will board at the prestigious school.
George, who turns 13 in July, is currently finishing his final term at Lambrook School alongside his siblings Charlotte and Louis. He has attended Lambrook since September 2022. After the summer holidays, he will transition to the £63,000-a-year all-boys school, located just a 12-minute drive from the family's Forest Lodge home.
Other Schools Considered
Eton was not always the front-runner for George's secondary education. Other possibilities included Marlborough College, Princess Kate's former school, and Oundle School in Northamptonshire, which William and Kate were reportedly seen touring. However, the couple was spotted visiting Eton with their eldest son as far back as 2023, suggesting the school was always a top choice.
Royal Tradition at Eton
George joins a long line of royal family members who have attended Eton College, including his father, Prince William, and uncle, Prince Harry. Other royal alumni include Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester, and Prince Michael of Kent, as well as Princess Diana's brother and father.
William's Experience at Eton
Prince William attended Eton from 1995 to 2000, boarding at Manor House. He thrived at the school, later saying: "I've really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student." He often used free Sunday afternoons to visit his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle. William became a prefect, joined several sports teams, and excelled academically.
Harry's Different Experience
Prince Harry, who attended Eton from 1998 to 2003, had a more challenging time. In his memoir Spare, he described the experience as "a profound shock" and said he "didn't even know how to get dressed in the morning." In a recent interview with TIME, Harry credited sports with keeping him in school: "If it wasn't for the sports field, and the amount of sports that were on offer, there's no way I would have stayed in school."
What George Can Expect
At Eton, George will have access to 28 subjects, including nine languages, various sciences, English literature, and creative classes like art, music, and theatre studies. The school also offers 25 sports, 50 musical ensembles and choirs, and 18 plays per year. According to Eton's website, the school aims for students to "enjoy their studies, thrive and have fun, rather than leave feeling burnt out and disengaged."
History and Traditions
Founded by Henry VI in 1440, Eton is steeped in tradition. Pupils wear a uniform of a tailcoat, waistcoat, and striped trousers. Notable alumni include 20 British prime ministers, as well as celebrities such as Eddie Redmayne, Dominic West, Damian Lewis, and Tom Hiddleston.
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