Prince George, eldest son of William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, began his education at Eton College on Thursday as a new Year 9 student. The 13-year-old arrived at the prestigious all-boys boarding school in Windsor, Berkshire, accompanied by his parents for his first day.
Eton College stands as one of Britain's most elite independent schools, with a student body drawn primarily from wealthy families and the aristocracy. The school counts Prime Ministers, actors, and royalty among its alumni. George joins an institution steeped in tradition spanning over 500 years. Founded in 1440, Eton has educated nineteen British Prime Ministers, including David Cameron, Boris Johnson, and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The move represents a significant transition for George. He previously attended Lambrook School, a prep school in Berkshire that he began in September 2022 at age eight. Like most students entering Eton at Year 9, George transitioned from preparatory education into secondary schooling. His parents selected Eton over other options available to royal children, including Gordonstoun in Scotland, which his father Prince William attended.
Eton's curriculum balances academic rigor with extracurricular pursuits. Students engage in rowing, cricket, and field sports alongside classical subjects. The school houses its students in boarding facilities, marking George's first sustained period away from his family home at Adelaide Cottage, also located in Windsor. His parents have spoken previously about valuing the independence and life skills that boarding school develops.
The Royal Family has maintained historical ties to Eton. Prince William's brother, Prince Harry, attended the school before enrolling at Sandhurst Military Academy. The choice to send George to Eton aligns with established royal precedent, though it breaks from some recent patterns within the immediate family regarding schooling decisions.
George's enrollment comes as the Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales balance parenting responsibilities with official duties. The family relocated to Windsor in 2022, bringing them closer to both Lambrook and Eton. Catherine has been gradually increasing public appearances following abdominal surgery earlier in 2024, while William continues his role as heir to the throne.
Student life at Eton involves structured daily routines, formal dress codes including the iconic tailcoat and waistcoat, and participation in the school's sprawling campus life. New students undergo an orientation period to acclimate to boarding conditions and academic expectations. George will join approximately 1,300 other students across the school's five year groups.
The school year runs along traditional British academic calendars, with breaks at Christmas, Easter, and summer. George's peers include children from diplomatic families, business leaders, and international backgrounds, creating a diverse boarding community despite the school's exclusivity and substantial tuition costs.