For now, the 11-year-old is focused on school and enjoying his childhood, but preparations for his future role have already begun. Alongside discussions about royal responsibilities, there is growing attention on where George will continue his education.
The young prince turns 12 in July and has just one year left at Lambrook School. While William and Kate Middleton have not yet made a final decision, they have already started visiting potential schools. As with many royal children, the choice of school has become a major topic of public interest.
Eton College and the boarding school debate
In 2023, Prince George was seen touring Eton College with his parents. Both Prince William and Prince Harry attended the prestigious boarding school, which currently costs around £46,000 a year. Although students do not begin at Eton until age 13, registration must take place when children turn 10.
William and Kate have often said they want their children to have as normal a childhood as possible, which has raised questions about whether a traditional boarding school fits that vision. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond shared her thoughts on the matter.
“The choice of school for the children will tell us a lot about William and Catherine,” she told OK!. “So far, they’ve been such a hands-on parents and, personally, I think it would be sad to see them send their children away to boarding school. I would applaud a decision to keep them as day pupils at schools nearby their home.”
However, Bond also acknowledged that both William and Kate were happy at boarding school themselves. “I suppose it’s what they know, and perhaps they will want to pass this experience on to their children,” she added. Bond suggested the couple may choose an all-or-nothing approach, saying, “I imagine it will be all or nothing – in other words, all three will go away to school, or none of them.”
Kate Middleton’s reported concerns
The decision has reportedly been an emotional one for Kate. According to In Touch Weekly, she reluctantly agreed to George’s wish to attend Eton and follow in his father’s footsteps, despite her own difficult experiences at boarding school.
“But she’s still heartbroken. She was horribly bullied at her first boarding school and can’t bear the thought of George suffering through that,” a source said. Although Eton is only a five-minute drive from the family’s Windsor home and George would be able to return on weekends, Kate is said to be deeply concerned about missing him.
Another source told the Mirror that Kate felt sending George to such a traditional institution conflicted with efforts to modernize the monarchy. “Kate long disagreed with her husband about sending him away, even though it’s tradition,” the source said, adding that she is “finally giving in” to William’s wishes.
Highgate School emerges as an alternative
Despite earlier reports suggesting Eton was the likely choice, recent developments indicate Kate may still get her way. After Christmas, she was reportedly spotted visiting Highgate School in London, fueling speculation that George could attend the prestigious day school instead.
Founded more than 460 years ago, Highgate is a co-educational school for pupils aged four to 18. According to the Daily Mail, fees for secondary students currently total £32,640 per year, including lunch. During her visit, Kate reportedly spent time speaking with teachers, especially within the drama department.
A source told the Mail that Kate “spent quite a long time talking to two of the teachers there, including the Head of Drama, and was asking them about the drama curriculum and extracurricular activities.”
Highgate headteacher’s warning to parents
While Highgate’s reputation is strong, its leadership has recently signaled potential changes. Headteacher Adam Pettitt, who has led the school since 2006, has spoken out about children’s screen use and the importance of family interaction.
Writing in The Times, Pettitt emphasized the need for balance, saying, “Age-based limits on mobile phone use are a welcome first step, but how adults spend time with children is paramount.”
He added, “We must not only limit screen time but actively promote what should replace it. Children need to play, to have protected screen-free time, and to enjoy fun, shared experiences with the adults who care for them.”
Highgate has already implemented a mobile phone ban, which Pettitt said has “reintroduced conversation to form rooms.” The school has also joined other London institutions pushing for stricter limits on phone use until pupils reach Year 10.
As Prince George’s next educational chapter approaches, the final decision will reveal much about how William and Kate balance royal tradition with modern parenting ideals.
