Prince George is marking a significant milestone in his education as he begins his first day at Eton College. The 13-year-old, who recently celebrated his birthday, will join the historic Berkshire institution as a boarder, effectively tracing the academic footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales.
George follows a well-trodden royal path, having opted for the traditional route after completing his studies at Lambrook, an independent prep school in Berkshire. The decision aligns him with his father, his uncle Prince Harry, and his great-uncle Earl Spencer, all of whom attended the elite private school.
The upcoming term brings the second child of King Charles III closer to his constitutional role as second in line to the throne. As the eldest son of Prince William and Catherine, his education has been closely watched, with rumors previously suggesting various private schools as contenders before Eton was confirmed as the choice.
At approximately £65,000 per year, Eton remains one of the UK’s most expensive educational institutions. It boasts a prestigious lineage of alumni that includes 20 British prime ministers, such as David Cameron and Boris Johnson, alongside high-profile figures in entertainment like Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston.
The prince will reside in one of the school’s 25 boarding houses, which typically accommodate around 55 pupils under the guidance of a house master and residential staff. Each student is provided with a private single room. The school’s location also offers proximity to the royal family’s residence at Windsor.
Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of the Good Schools Guide, noted that while most boys arriving at age 13 have limited foresight into their futures, Prince George faces a uniquely defined trajectory. She suggested that his parents selected an Eton education specifically because they view it as the most effective preparation for a modern working royal.
Reflecting on his own time at the school decades ago, Prince William mentioned in a 2000 interview that he appreciated the opportunity to experience school life as an ordinary student. As George embarks on this new chapter, he joins a long line of royals who have balanced rigorous academics with public duties at the ancient yet progressive institution.
Leave a Reply