The Princess of Wales is reportedly navigating significant pressure as she and Prince William make crucial decisions about the future of their eldest son, Prince George. Insiders reveal that Kate is intensely focused on ensuring the 12-year-old heir's happiness and normal upbringing, keen to avoid a specific pitfall that affected previous generations.
The Weight of a Future King's Education
With Prince George now 12, a major educational transition is imminent. The young prince, currently a pupil at Lambrook School near the family's Windsor home, will soon move to a secondary school. According to a report in The Times, his parents are meticulously weighing their options, with George's wellbeing being the paramount concern in their final decision.
The frontrunners are understood to be the couple's own alma maters: Eton College, where Prince William and Prince Harry were educated, and Marlborough College, Kate's former school. Eton is a boys-only institution with fees exceeding £63,000 per year, while co-educational Marlborough costs £61,809 annually for boarding. The latter's mixed-gender environment presents the possibility of all three Wales children—George, Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7)—eventually attending the same school.
A Mother's Mission to Avoid Royal Loneliness
"Motherhood is daunting enough, but the stakes are even higher when you’re raising a king," the report states, highlighting why Kate feels "the pressure to 'get it right'." This pressure is deeply informed by her life's work in early years development, which underscores the importance of connection and a healthy childhood.
A particular focus for the Princess is shielding George from excessive loneliness, a condition his grandfather, King Charles, openly acknowledged. In a past interview, a 21-year-old Charles said, "Out of certain necessity, I’ve perhaps been more lonely... Essentially, it is, I suppose, compared with other people’s lives, more lonely." Kate is said to be determined to prevent this "toxic" experience for her son by providing a grounded family life.
Building a Grounded Childhood for the Heir
Behind the palace walls, William and Kate are committed to maintaining as much normality as possible for their children. This commitment is demonstrated through:
- Prioritising school runs and attending sports fixtures themselves.
- Spending the majority of school holidays together as a family.
- Ensuring the children have regular time with their maternal grandparents, Carole and Michael Middleton.
The report offers a charming glimpse into this ordinary life, recounting how a Windsor local once encountered a young Prince George in a soft furnishings shop, happily eating orange segments while his grandmother Carole browsed fabric samples. Such moments are central to Kate's philosophy of instilling a sense of routine and responsibility.
The family's move to Forest Lodge in Windsor over autumn, which they are renting at market value, has been described as their "forever home," providing a stable base for these crucial coming years. As George steps closer to his destiny, his parents' primary goal remains clear: to equip him with a happy, connected childhood that will fortify him for the unique path ahead.
