Prince George is set to begin his secondary education at the prestigious Eton College, marking another significant milestone as he grows up in the public eye.
The 13-year-old prince will join the historic Berkshire boarding school, following the path taken by his father, Prince William, the Prince of Wales.
George, who is second in line to the British throne as the eldest child of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, will live on campus as a boarder.
Eton, one of Britain’s most renowned private schools, has educated 20 former prime ministers. Annual fees are reported to be around £65,000.
The school is located close to the royal family’s home in Windsor and has 25 boarding houses, each accommodating about 55 pupils under the supervision of residential staff led by a house master.
George’s choice of secondary school had attracted considerable attention, with several leading independent schools reportedly considered after he completed his education at Lambrook, also in Berkshire.
However, he has ultimately chosen Eton, continuing a family tradition. His father, Prince William, attended the school, as did his uncle Prince Harry and his great uncle, Earl Spencer.
The school provides each pupil with a private single room, according to the Good Schools Guide, although the experience of boarding can vary from student to student.
“Some boys take to boarding like a fish to water; others take a minute to settle in,” the guide says.
Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of the Good Schools Guide, praised Eton’s facilities and grounds while highlighting its modern approach despite its historic setting.
“Yet despite its ancient buildings, it is a modern school with a progressive outlook.
“Most 13-year-old boys arriving there in September cannot possibly know what adult life holds for them.
“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,” she said.
Prince George’s move also echoes an important moment in his father’s life. Prince William began at Eton in 1995, accompanied by his parents, King Charles and the late Princess Diana, as well as Prince Harry.
Harry later followed in his brother’s footsteps, arriving at Eton in 1998.
Several prominent figures from British public life have also attended the school, including former prime ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson, former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and Conservative politician Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Eton’s notable former pupils also include actors Eddie Redmayne, Dominic West, Damian Lewis and Tom Hiddleston.
Reflecting on his own experience at the school when he was 18, Prince William said he had enjoyed being able to experience school life without being treated differently.
“I’ve really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student,” he said in June 2000.
For George, his arrival at Eton represents more than simply the start of secondary school.
As a future king, his education is likely to attract continued public interest as he takes another step towards his eventual role within the monarchy.
