A former classmate of Prince William has shared memories of attending Eton College with the future king, revealing that pupils teased him with a harsh nickname. Following the confirmation that Prince George will enroll at the prestigious Berkshire school this September, the ex-student recounted his experiences between 1995 and 2000.
Nickname and School Life
According to the former pupil, William did not stand out as much as many might expect, despite his royal status. "We weren't in awe of William, and I don't think he would have wanted us to be," he told The Telegraph. He disclosed that students called William an "upstart German" because there were boys from even richer families or those with ancient aristocratic lineages who teased him. "He was popular, but he was also just one of the crowd," the classmate added.
Handling Personal Tragedies
During William's time at Eton, his parents' divorce dominated headlines, but the topic was rarely discussed among pupils. After Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997, hundreds of students sent letters of sympathy, yet few spoke to him in person. "I think it was the only way we knew how to behave. We had all watched Diana's funeral on television, but we just kept quiet. It was all very British stiff upper lip and probably looks bad from a 2026 perspective, but I suspect it's what he'd have preferred at the time," the former student reflected.
Prince George's Enrollment
The news of Prince George's admission to Eton follows Prince William's recent comments about the "chaotic" school run with his three children. During a guest slot on Heart Radio Breakfast Show last month, William playfully urged Charlotte and Louis to be on time, noting that George is boarding. All three children attend Lambrook, a private preparatory school offering flexible boarding for ages 7 to 13, with separate houses for boys and girls.
