The year ahead carries unusual weight for the Wales family. Prince George is set to start secondary school in September 2026, and although the palace has not yet revealed where he will go, royal watchers are already reading between the lines. For months, speculation has circled around whether the young royal might follow his mother’s path into boarding school or continue the family tradition by enrolling at Eton College. His father, Prince William, and his uncle, Prince Harry, both spent their formative years there, which only fuels the assumption.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes the decision has already been made behind palace doors. Speaking to the Mirror, she noted that George’s new chapter is now close and that the family would have settled the question by this point. She also acknowledged that George is nearing his teenage years, an age when children drift up against new boundaries and parents quietly weigh what environment might serve them best.
Catherine’s influence and the boarding school question
The possibility of George going away to board has stirred mixed feelings among royal commentators. Jennie Bond admitted she would find it a pity if he were sent away, partly because it seems at odds with some of Princess Kate’s core beliefs about stability and presence during a child’s early years. Yet she also pointed out that Kate herself boarded at Marlborough College and grew to love it, even though her earlier school years at Downe House had been difficult. Marlborough sits more than an hour from the family home at Forest Lodge on the Windsor estate, a geographical detail that has fed theories on how far the couple might be willing to let their eldest travel.
Kate’s own experience may put her in a position to judge whether boarding would support George’s growth or pull him too far from the close-knit upbringing she has always championed. Her approach to motherhood has remained consistent even during the challenges of the past year. Since sharing that she is in remission from cancer, she has gradually returned to royal duties, taking on more engagements while still holding firm to the idea that parenting comes first.
A year of balance for the Princess of Wales
In recent weeks, the Princess of Wales has stepped into a more public rhythm again. She delivered her first speech in two years at a summit hosted by her Royal Foundation, then appeared with Prince William at the Royal Variety Performance. These moments mark her steady re-emergence into her role and signal a busy 2026 ahead for the whole family.
Jennie Bond believes that as the new year unfolds, Kate will face the delicate task of dividing her time between family life and her royal obligations. Despite increasing visibility, the princess has refused to compromise on the boundaries she and William set for their children, especially the protection of school holidays and family-focused routines. Speaking about Kate’s approach, Jennie described her as someone who lives the values she speaks about, someone who sees these early years as deeply formative and who is determined to be present for her children as much as circumstances allow.
The months ahead promise both excitement and transition for Prince George and his parents. What is clear is that the Princess of Wales intends to navigate these changes with the same unwavering commitment to her children that has shaped her role from the very beginning.
