As the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George holds a future filled with immense responsibility—not just for the royal family, but for himself as well.
Though he’s still years away from taking the throne, decisions surrounding his education are already making headlines—and according to royal commentators, they may be stirring up some tension between his parents, Prince William and Princess Catherine.
Sources say the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are currently grappling with the important and personal task of choosing the right secondary school for their 11-year-old son.
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard shared, “The discussions have been circulating for years, with the Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly arguing and debating the decision for years. I’m surprised the bookies haven’t initiated a bet on which school Prince George will attend next autumn!”
Though this might appear to be a typical parenting decision, it holds greater weight for the family of a future king. Given their high-profile status, the choice carries even more importance for Prince George and his parents, according to Chard.
Chard’s comments come after reports emerged earlier this year that the family had begun exploring options for George’s next school, with visits to several prestigious institutions in and around London.
According to the Daily Mail, George recently toured Eton College ahead of the upcoming academic year—a move that has sparked plenty of discussion among current students and parents.
The family has also looked into other possible schools, including Highgate School in North London, which reportedly caught Catherine’s attention thanks to its standout drama program. However, its distance from Windsor makes it a less convenient choice.
Princess Catherine recently joined Prince George on a visit to Marlborough College, her former school in Wiltshire. This followed their earlier tour of Eton College — a significant visit, as both Prince William and Prince Harry attended the prestigious institution, which remains a popular choice among the royal family and the upper class.
The reported disagreement between William and Catherine over George’s future school choice appears to come down to their own personal backgrounds and concerns.
Many royals, including King Charles III, Prince Harry, and Catherine herself, have faced tough times during their school years. These past experiences seem to have shaped Catherine’s determination to find a place where George can thrive academically and socially.
“Eton wasn’t suitable for Prince Harry. Even Princess Catherine was bullied at a secondary school. Therefore, she is committed to securing the perfect fit for Prince George. And let’s face it, the world is their oyster — they have the pick of all schools,” shared Chard.
While the couple certainly has access to the best educational institutions, their reported debate has narrowed down to two choices: Eton College and Marlborough College.
According to royal expert Ian Pelham Turner, William appears to lean toward Eton, the traditional all-boys school long known for educating members of the aristocracy and political elite.
Adelaide Cottage, located conveniently near the family’s home in Windsor Home Park, makes Eton an attractive option for William, offering both prestige and security. It seems like a natural choice in his view.
However, as Chard points out, Princess Catherine is thought to be advocating for a different route—one that provides a co-educational setting, which she believes would be more relaxed and supportive.
“School days for Kate at times were not the happiest as she experienced bullying, so she leaned more towards a less conventional education for George than William,” Turner explained.
Marlborough College, which Catherine and her siblings attended, aligns with this vision. It’s known for being more flexible than Eton, while still upholding strong academic standards.
The differing opinions of Catherine and William on their son’s education go beyond just school reputations—they reflect broader concerns. For Catherine, George’s emotional well-being seems to be the top priority, while William tends to emphasize tradition and structure.
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich also believes Catherine wants to give her son as normal an upbringing as possible. “She was raised with strong family bonds and, therefore, prefers him to be at school with his siblings. She also would prefer Prince George to live at home versus a boarding school, a tradition for many generations of the royal family,” Fordwich observed.
With four terms left at Lambrook School, where George currently studies with his younger siblings, the question of his next school is still in the spotlight, especially as the couple weighs both their personal preferences and logistical concerns.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added, “The traditional choice would be Eton, a prestigious boys’ boarding school where the Dukes of Gloucester and Kent, Prince Michael of Kent, as well as Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, and her father were educated.”
Fitzwilliams also pointed out that the decision about George’s school will likely reflect how his parents envision the monarchy’s future.
However, adhering to tradition is not an absolute rule, especially given that Prince William himself broke with precedent by choosing Eton over Gordonstoun.
It’s worth noting that when Charles went to Gordonstoun, he became the first Prince of Wales to receive a formal school education instead of being tutored privately. The school also holds the honor of being the first senior institution to educate a British monarch.
As the family continues their search and deliberations, it remains to be seen whether the couple will find a compromise or if one parent’s vision will eventually take precedence.