While the royal family dutifully live their lives for public consumption, we often forget that they too experience the same pitfalls as the rest of us. This is especially true when it comes to their parenting choices.
As Prince George prepares to leave primary school behind, Kate Middleton and Prince William are turning their attention to choosing their eldest child’s high school—a matter paramount in shaping his future and preparing him for a life as sovereign as the second in line to the British monarchy.
Now, according to a royal expert, the selection is heating up as the Prince and Princess of Wales are becoming surprisingly emotional about where the 11-year-old will continue his education. The source claims that the former Duke and Duchess of Sussex have “previously clashed over the huge decision”.
It’s alleged that Prince William is interested in having Prince George follow in his footsteps and attend the elite, single-sex boarding school Eton College. Middleton, on the other hand, is reportedly interested in sending the pre-teen to a more modern, private and co-ed establishment like her alma mater Marlborough College.
“Kate was said to be heartbroken at the thought of her son attending the prestigious school, which she is thought to feel is too stuffy for him,” the source said. “Kate’s preference is for George to be at a co-education school so he can be with his siblings,” they continued. “It was a very happy school life for her, but William has very fond memories of Eton, which has a long history with aristocrats and members of the royal family.”
Irrespective of their own emotional attachments to their respective secondary schools, the insider notes that the candidate will be selected with Prince George’s best wishes in mind. The subject of schooling is one relatively new to royal life, with King Charles III becoming the first member of ‘The Firm’ to attend civilian school.
While Queen Elizabeth II was homeschooled, she and Prince Philip chose to send the then-prince to Gordonstoun in Scotland, where the late Duke of Edinburgh was a former pupil. (King Charles III also briefly attended two terms at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia in 1966. He did not visit the faculty during his recent 2024 tour down under.)
King Charles bucked tradition once again when it came to tutoring his own sons, with Prince William and Prince Harry attending private all-boys boarding schools in and around London.
Prince William and Middleton’s three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, all attend the independent preparatory Lambrook school in Berkshire. It’s said the academy gave them a “sense of stability” while Middleton navigated her difficult health battle earlier this year.
“That sense of normality, of keeping the family going at one of the hardest times they’ve ever gone through, was important,” the source explained. “The school gives them a great infrastructure and a great support network, and allows the children to live a regular childhood – a low-key, happy, albeit privileged childhood.”
