The young prince is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps

Prince William and Kate Middleton have reportedly arrived at an agreement over son Prince George’s next school, with the 11-year-old set to follow in his father’s footsteps by attending Eton College from September 2026.

After months of speculation over the young prince’s future, an insider claimed to the Mail on Sunday that “all roads lead to Eton”.
Prince George will make a big school move next year (Credit: Cover Images)

Which school is Prince George going to?

George currently attends Lambrook School in Berkshire alongside his siblings, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. However, he’ll begin his senior education in September next year.

In preparation, Prince William and Kate reportedly visited a number of the country’s best schools over the last few months, including both Eton and Marlborough College – which Kate herself attended. They reportedly visited Eton as early as 2023, too.

Marlborough is co-educational. This would have allowed Charlotte to join her brother at school a little later down the line. However, part of Eton’s appeal is likely that it’s closer to the family’s home in Windsor. And, that William himself attended Eton is thought to have been a large influence in the decision.

Do Kate and William disagree about where Prince George will attend school?

Reports claimed in April that William and Kate had argued over the decision, but it seems as though they’ve now reached an agreement.

The Mail reported that sources close to the school noted a “smugness” regarding the announcement, with an insider revealing: “It was like, ‘I know something and the people at Eton know something, but I’m not going to tell you.’ That was after William and Kate visited Eton.”
George could attend Eton College next year (Credit: Cover Images)
No official announcement regarding George’s future education has been made, but if the sources are to be believed, the decision might have been finalised.

Among the other schools seemingly in consideration for George was Highgate School in north London. Kate apparently visited earlier this year and spent a lot of time with the teachers, particularly in the drama department. She reportedly asked about the opportunities to appear in school plays, too.

Royal Insider has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.

Wales children being ‘prepared for life’ after education

Meanwhile, George and Charlotte – and, to a lesser extent, Louis – are also being prepared for their lives once they finish school, when they’ll become adult royals and take on more responsibilities.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl said in her book, The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown: “George, Charlotte, and Louis, who had starring roles at the platinum jubilee celebrations in June, are being raised by their parents with an awareness of their positions and the roles they will one day carry out in support of the monarchy.
Charlotte, George and Louis will have different roles in the monarchy in the future (Credit: Cover Images)
“Louis could well be a private citizen undertaking occasional royal duties. Just like William and [Prince] Harry’s cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, as well as princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.”

George and Charlotte will likely take on more duties, however. George is second in line to the throne, while Charlotte is currently third. However, she will move down the line of succession if and when George has children of his own in the future.

William may decide to bestow the title of Princess Royal on Charlotte. Just seven women have held the title previously. Princess Anne, King Charles’ sister and William’s aunt, currently holds the title of Princess Royal.

The title is traditionally given to the monarch’s eldest daughter, but it’s not an inherited or automatic title. So, it will be up to William to decide whether or not to give Charlotte the title when he becomes king himself.

What happens when Prince George turns 12?

According to reports, some changes might take place when George turns 12.

From the age of 12, a former royal pilot claimed that William began travelling separately to his father King Charles. Reports have speculated that the same could happen when George turns 12 this summer.

For many years, it’s been reported that one protocol that is followed within the monarchy is that direct heirs to the throne travel separately when they get to a certain age.

However, some experts think William could opt against this tradition with his eldest son.