A major decision regarding Prince George's education has likely already been made by his mother, the Princess of Wales, according to a leading royal commentator.
The Big Decision for the Future King
With September 2026 marking a significant milestone for the young royal, the question of where Prince George will attend secondary school is a topic of intense speculation. Royal expert Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal correspondent, believes the matter is effectively settled.
Jennie told the Mirror: "Yes this is a big year ahead, as George becomes a teenager and, as William hinted when talking about phones, he’s clearly exploring a few boundaries. I suppose his new school has already been decided."
Weighing Tradition Against Personal Experience
The debate primarily centres on two front-running options. One path would see George follow royal tradition and attend Eton College, the prestigious institution where his father, Prince William, and uncle, Prince Harry, were educated.
The alternative is for the young prince to follow in the footsteps of his mother, Kate Middleton, by attending a boarding school. The Princess of Wales was a pupil at Marlborough College, located over an hour's drive from the family's Windsor home.
However, Jennie Bond expressed a personal reservation about this option, suggesting it might conflict with Kate's core parenting principles. "Personally, I think it’s a great shame if he’s going to be sent away to board and I would have thought that would go against some of Catherine’s central beliefs," she said.
She did, however, acknowledge Kate's own positive experience, adding: "On the other hand, she went to boarding school and seemed to enjoy it, so I suppose she feels ready to cross that bridge with George." Kate's time at boarding school came after reportedly difficult years as a day girl at Downe House, where she faced bullying.
Balancing Royal Duties with Family Life
This major family decision comes as the Princess of Wales has been gradually increasing her public duties since announcing she is in remission from cancer. She recently made her first speech in two years at a summit for her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and attended the Royal Variety Performance with Prince William.
Despite her busy schedule, Jennie Bond emphasised that Kate has always prioritised her role as a hands-on mother. "I admire Catherine for practising what she preaches. She is a hands-on mum as much as she can possibly be and she has encouraged William to be a full-on dad," Bond stated.
"Catherine believes passionately that these early years in her children’s lives are by far the most important and formative, and she’s determined to be there for them as much as possible." This commitment to parenting will undoubtedly be a central factor in the final secondary school choice for the future king.
