Prince George has begun his first day at Eton College, stepping into the renowned Berkshire institution as a 13-year-old boarder. The second-in-line to the British throne transitions to the historic school following his previous education at Lambrook, continuing a prominent family academic tradition.
The next chapter of the royal family’s education path unfolded as Prince George arrived for his opening day at Eton College. The young royal, who was last seen in public alongside his family at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, moves to the elite Berkshire boarding school after finishing his studies at Lambrook School, a private prep institution in Berkshire also attended by his younger siblings, 11-year-old Princess Charlotte and eight-year-old Prince Louis, according to The Independent.
Family Tradition and Historic Royal Precedent at Eton
Prince George’s enrolment at the historic institution continues a well-established family lineage. His father, the Prince of Wales, his uncle, the Duke of Sussex, and his great-uncle, Earl Spencer, all attended the school. Speculation regarding the young prince’s academic future intensified in 2023 when the Prince and Princess of Wales were reportedly seen taking their eldest son on a tour of the Eton campus. Some royal observers had predicted he would choose Marlborough College, the institution attended by his mother, Princess Catherine.
The family’s choice represents a modern continuation of royal tradition that began when Prince William arrived at the institution on 6 September 1995. Photographers famously captured William signing in alongside his brother Harry and parents Charles and Diana, the then Prince and Princess of Wales. At the time, William’s attendance marked a significant break in royal tradition, as expectations pointed toward Gordonstoun in Scotland—the school attended by King Charles and his father, the late Duke of Edinburgh. King Charles later told biographer Jonathan Dimbleby that his own time at Gordonstoun felt like a prison sentence – but instilled self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.
Inside Life at the 15th-Century Berkshire Boarding School
Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton College stands as one of the most prominent and prestigious schools globally, renowned for fostering leadership and independence through a wide array of non-academic requirements. Admission is rigorous, with boys going through stringent tests, and parents pay an annual fee of approximately £63,298 to £65,000 for a school whose name is likely to be more influential than the academic qualifications gained by pupils.
Photo: aol.com
As a boarder, Prince George will be allocated a private single room within one of Eton’s 25 boarding houses, each accommodating roughly 55 pupils under the care of a house master and residential staff. The Good Schools Guide notes that while some new boarders adapt immediately, others require a period of adjustment.
“Some boys take to boarding like a fish to water; others take a minute to settle in,”
Prince George Looked STRIKINGLY GROWN-UP In His New Eton College Uniform William INCREDIBLY PROUD
writes the Good Schools Guide about Eton College
Melanie Sanderson, the school guide’s managing editor, said Eton has spectacular facilities and spacious grounds. She also noted the progressive nature of the campus:
“Yet despite its ancient buildings, it is a modern school with a progressive outlook.”
Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of the Good Schools Guide
Sanderson observed that while most 13-year-old boys arriving there in September cannot possibly know what adult life holds for them, the young prince’s path is uniquely charted:
“Prince George, however, faces a very particular future and his parents, with an unrivalled choice of schools available to them, have decided that an Eton education represents the best preparation for life as a modern working royal,”
Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of the Good Schools Guide
Notable Alumni and Prince William’s Student Reflections
Eton carries a storied legacy of shaping prominent figures across British public life, having produced 20 British prime ministers over its long history—including Robert Walpole, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson. Its roll call of famous past pupils also includes actors Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Eddie Redmayne, Dominic West, and Damian Lewis, writers George Orwell and Ian Fleming, and adventurer Bear Grylls.
Prince William previously reflected on the sense of normality the institution provided during his own student years. In an interview conducted in June 2000 when he was 18 years old, the Prince of Wales shared his perspective on student life, stating, I've really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student. His eldest son now has the opportunity to forge his own memories at the institution that has shaped so many prominent figures.
Prince George OFFICIALLY BEGINS at Eton College as Future King Enters a New Chapter
