For Prince George, the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the year 2026 is set to be one of significant transition. The young prince, who is second in line to the throne, will celebrate his 13th birthday in July and is expected to start secondary school the following September.
A Major Educational Crossroads
Speculation is mounting about where the future King will continue his education. His parents, Prince William and Catherine, have kept their plans private, but leading contenders are believed to include Eton College, which his father attended, and Marlborough College, his mother's alma mater.
The family was previously spotted visiting Eton, while Marlborough is renowned as one of the UK's top co-educational boarding schools. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond suggests that, unlike his father's experience, George's decision will be made within a stable and loving family unit.
"Things are very different for George, who has been brought up in a household full of love and harmony," Bond noted. "So it might be tougher for him to suddenly find himself living away at boarding school – if that is, indeed, the decision his parents have made. But I’m sure it will have been a family decision."
The 'Thorny Issue' of Technology
Alongside the school decision, William and Kate face another common parental dilemma: the smartphone. The Prince of Wales revealed earlier in 2025 that his children do not have smartphones but admitted the stance was becoming a struggle with his eldest.
In an interview, William stated, "When George moves on to secondary school, maybe he'll have one with limited access. It's getting to the point where it is becoming a bit of a tense issue." Jennie Bond commented on this modern challenge, predicting George may receive a basic 'brick' phone for communication before being allowed a full smartphone.
Stepping Gently into the Spotlight
While his parents are determined to give him as normal a childhood as possible, Prince George has begun to take on slightly more visible royal duties. In May 2025, he joined his parents at a Buckingham Palace tea party for Second World War veterans marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, where he listened intently to their stories.
He also accompanied his mother to the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in November. More recently, in December 2025, he helped his father prepare Christmas lunch at The Passage homeless shelter in Victoria, London—a tradition for William that began with his own mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Despite these increasing appearances, experts believe his parents will continue to shield him. "This is a time for him to get used to his new circumstances, to knuckle down and start studying for important exams and to enjoy his school life," said Bond. "So I think his parents will continue to protect him for as long as possible from the public glare that lies ahead."
As 2026 approaches, it represents a year of both personal milestones and careful preparation for Prince George, balancing the demands of his future role with the realities of growing up.
