Prince William has offered a rare and surprisingly personal glimpse into family life at home, revealing that his eldest son, Prince George, has already started boarding at Lambrook School ahead of his highly anticipated move to secondary school later this year.
The revelation came during an appearance on Heart Radio’s breakfast programme, where the future king spoke candidly about parenting, chaotic school mornings, and the challenges of raising three energetic children while balancing royal responsibilities.
While discussing his daily routine, William admitted he is “definitely not a morning person” and joked that if he had not been in the studio, he would normally have been handling the morning school run with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
However, he casually revealed that George had spent the previous night boarding at Lambrook, the prestigious Berkshire prep school attended by all three Wales children.
“Charlotte and Louis, if you’re listening,” William joked during the broadcast, “make sure you’re on time please — and make sure you’re not fighting over what to listen to this morning.”
The light-hearted comment immediately sparked widespread interest among royal watchers, as it marked the first public confirmation that George has already begun experiencing boarding school life before officially starting secondary education.
Although the Prince of Wales did not specify how often George boards at Lambrook, insiders suggest the arrangement may be part of a gradual transition designed to prepare him emotionally and academically for full-time secondary boarding school in the near future.
Friends close to the family reportedly say William and Catherine, Princess of Wales have been carefully considering how best to help George adjust to increasing independence while still maintaining a stable family environment.
At Lambrook, boarding fees reportedly cost as much as £10,669 per term, making it one of the country’s most elite preparatory schools. Located near Ascot in Berkshire, the school has become known for its expansive grounds, strong academic reputation, and emphasis on outdoor education and pastoral care.
The Wales family moved to nearby Adelaide Cottage in Windsor partly to provide their children with a more private and grounded upbringing, away from the intense spotlight often associated with central London royal life.
Sources close to the royals claim William and Kate have worked hard to ensure their children experience as normal a childhood as possible despite their extraordinary public roles. Teachers and parents at Lambrook have previously described the couple as actively involved and approachable during school events and activities.
William’s latest comments also offered an amusing insight into life inside the royal family car during hectic mornings.
According to the prince, eight-year-old Louis has developed a habit of leaving sticky jam fingerprints all over the vehicle during school runs.
“He leaves jam fingerprints throughout the car, which is really helpful,” William laughed.
The anecdote delighted listeners because it painted a relatable picture of everyday parenting struggles — something the Prince and Princess of Wales increasingly appear comfortable sharing publicly.
Behind the scenes, however, one major decision continues to dominate royal discussions: where George will attend secondary school from September.
For years, royal insiders believed Eton College was almost certain to become George’s next school. The prestigious all-boys institution has long-standing royal connections, most notably with William himself, who studied there during his teenage years.
Located close to the family’s Windsor home, Eton has traditionally been viewed as the obvious choice for the future king.
Yet recent reports suggest the decision may not be quite so straightforward.
Earlier this year, William and Kate were reportedly seen visiting Oundle School, a highly respected co-educational boarding school in Northamptonshire.
Founded in 1556, Oundle is known for combining strong academic standards with music, arts, environmental awareness, and pastoral support. Unlike Eton, the school educates both boys and girls, which could potentially allow all three Wales children to attend the same institution in the future.
Royal commentators believe this possibility may strongly appeal to Kate in particular, especially following the difficult year she has experienced personally.
The Princess of Wales largely stepped back from public duties earlier this year while receiving treatment for cancer, prompting speculation that her priorities regarding family life may have shifted significantly.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(831x651:833x653)/Prince-William-Prince-of-Wales-with-Prince-George-of-Wales-052226-tout-6a4e7c896b5c43159d8c27235d8a565e.jpg)
One royal source suggested that after such a challenging period, Kate may feel especially reluctant to send George away permanently too soon.
“She may want to savour every possible moment of George’s childhood,” the insider reportedly claimed. “Tucking him into bed every night suddenly matters more than tradition.”
That possibility has fuelled growing speculation that a co-educational school closer to home — or one offering more flexible boarding arrangements — could emerge as a serious contender.
Another institution rumoured to be under consideration is Highgate School, an award-winning day school in north London.
Reports earlier this year claimed the school was temporarily closed to visitors during what was described as a “special VIP visit,” widely believed to involve the Princess of Wales.
The prestigious school boasts an impressive list of alumni, including poet T. S. Eliot, former prime minister Liz Truss, and musician Marcus Mumford.
It has also earned praise for environmental initiatives, something thought to align closely with William’s long-standing passion for sustainability and climate awareness.
Meanwhile, educational experts continue debating which school would best suit the future king.
Speaking on A Right Royal Podcast, education specialist Melanie S