Prince George’s Eton Start Will Be Worlds Away from His Father’s Experience, Royal Expert Claims

Prince George is preparing to follow in his father Prince William’s footsteps by enrolling at Eton College this September, but the emotional landscape he will navigate is expected to be vastly different from the one his father faced more than three decades ago. Royal experts have highlighted how the young heir will enter the prestigious school with a strong foundation of parental support and stability, in contrast to William’s experience of carrying the weight of his parents’ very public marital breakdown and the subsequent tragedy of his mother’s death.

More than thirty years ago, a 13-year-old Prince William stood in front of the imposing red brick buildings of Eton College, ready to begin his teenage years. Just two years later, the future King was dealing with the immense pain of his mother Princess Diana’s tragic death and the fallout from his parents’ very public divorce. Now, William is 44, and his eldest son George, who turns 13 next week, is set to embark on his own journey at the same school. Royal commentator Robert Jobson told the Daily Mail that the difference between the two experiences could not be more stark. “The difference is everything,” he said. “William walked into Eton carrying his parents’ marital war. George walks in from a settled home. Two parents, together, who built him a base and guard it fiercely. Confidence is not taught. It is absorbed.”

William’s Challenging Start at Eton

Jobson recalled the first time he saw a young Prince of Wales facing the brave new world of teenagerhood. “It was 6 September 1995. Eton College. I was there, a reporter outside Manor House, in the pack. Behind a steel barrier,” he shared. “A boy of thirteen came out with his mother and father to pose for pictures with his housemaster, Dr Andrew Gailey. He had signed the Entrance Book. Charles and Diana stood either side of him. They were separated by then. The divorce was a year away.”

Nobody could have known then what Gailey, a quiet Ulsterman and historian, would become to that boy – a rock. Two years after that photocall, Diana was dead, and it was Gailey who took William under his wing, both educationally and emotionally, helping to steady him. The school became his sanctuary during one of the most difficult periods of his life. Jobson reflected on how time has passed. “It seems like yesterday. Time flies. That boy is now the Prince of Wales. His son, Prince George, turns 13 on 22 July and goes up to the same school for the Michaelmas Half.”

More than three decades ago, then aged 14, the Prince of Wales stood in front of the imposing red brick of Eton College, ready to embark on the first chapter of his teenage years. William pictured in 1995 with his mother and brother

Robert explained that William and Kate have done everything and more to support their eldest son in the move, as George prepares for a new academic era

William and Kate Have Prepared George Carefully

William and Kate have done everything possible to support their eldest son as he prepares for this significant transition. George asked his parents if he could board weekly at Lambrook, his current co-educational school near Ascot in Berkshire, and they agreed. This experience has helped him grow and become part of a collective environment. “He is smart. He loves history,” Jobson noted. “Standing before Henry VIII’s armour last October, his father said it plainly. ‘George, my son, is way better in history than I am, and I have to check with him now on my dates.’”

George plays football and hockey, the latter being his mother’s game. He supports Aston Villa, like his dad, and is happy to cheer and show emotion in public. He has not been spared pain, having watched his mother fight and beat cancer and seen his grandfather live with the disease. “He has emerged steadier,” Jobson said. “Eton will be a challenge, but being close to home, in the shadow of Windsor Castle will help. As he steps out in his tailcoat, false collar, he will look a picture. But the environment will protect him like it did his father who thrived there. Then time. A great deal of it, let us hope, for George’s sake.”

Kensington Palace Announcement and School Choice

Kensington Palace announced earlier this summer that Prince George would be attending Eton. The Mail was the first to exclusively reveal more than four years ago that the future King’s name had been put down for the £63,000-a-year boarding school, with sources saying it was the Prince and Princess of Wales’s “number one choice.” One of the benefits is its proximity to Windsor Castle, where the family have made their “forever home” at Forest Lodge on the Berkshire estate.

The couple explored other options and have been spotted at various schools around the country in their search for the best place for their eldest child. Earlier this month, the Mail exclusively revealed that their mind was made up after George took his Common Entrance Exams. The prince, who has been an occasional boarder at Lambrook in preparation for the move, will turn 13 on July 22 and will be ready to attend senior school from the autumn. His younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 11, and eight-year-old Prince Louis, will remain at Lambrook, where they have been extremely happy.

The young heir will be worlds away from the emotional landscape his father William had to navigate, royal experts have said. William pictured in 1995

 More than three decades ago, then aged 14, Prince William stood in front of the imposing red brick of Eton College, ready to embark on the first chapter of his teenage years. Just two years on from that moment, the future King was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, following his mother Princess Diana’s tragic death and the pain of his parents’ very public divorce. William pictured in 2000

A Departure from Royal Tradition

When William went to Eton, later followed by his brother Prince Harry, it was considered something of a departure from royal norm. Both their father, King Charles, and grandfather, the late Duke of Edinburgh, had been sent to Gordonstoun in Scotland. While Philip loved it, Charles was bullied mercilessly and famously dubbed it “Colditz in kilts.” William’s mother, Princess Diana, was particularly keen on Eton as it was closer to her and the rest of the family. It proved to be the right decision, and by all accounts William really enjoyed his time there. He flourished educationally, becoming a prefect and therefore a member of its elite group, “Pop,” which came with the privilege of wearing a patterned waistcoat in addition to his black tailcoat, bow tie, brogues and stiff-collared shirt. He also enjoyed the school’s sports provision and made a host of great friends, many of whom he is still close with today. He would often walk over the bridge to Windsor to have lunch with his late grandmother at her Berkshire residence.

Eton’s Modern Approach and Reputation

On its website, Eton describes itself as a “modern, forward-thinking school that embraces innovation and new opportunities to provide an outstanding, progressive and well-rounded education.” It is in the top ten of boarding schools in the country and is one of the most influential and high-achieving institutions. The school’s location near Windsor provides a sense of continuity and security for George as he begins this new chapter.

The environment is expected to protect and nurture George in much the same way it did his father. William thrived at Eton despite the personal challenges he faced, and there is every reason to believe George will do the same with the strong foundation his parents have provided. The school’s emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and a well-rounded education aligns with the values William and Kate have instilled in their children.

A New Chapter for the Future King

As Prince George prepares to start at Eton, he does so with the love and support of both his parents in a stable family environment. This stands in stark contrast to the emotional burdens William carried when he began his time at the school. The settled home life George enjoys, with parents who are together and actively involved in his upbringing, is expected to give him a strong base from which to face the challenges ahead.

The move to Eton represents an important milestone for the young prince as he continues his education and prepares for his future role. With the support of his family and the protective environment of the school, he is well positioned to thrive academically and personally. As he steps into this new chapter, the nation will watch with interest as the future King embarks on his secondary education at one of Britain’s most prestigious institutions.

Eton’s reputation for producing well-rounded, confident individuals with a strong sense of duty and service makes it a fitting choice for George. The school’s traditions and values align with the expectations placed upon members of the royal family, while its modern approach ensures students are prepared for the challenges of the contemporary world.

The coming years at Eton will be formative for George, helping to shape him into the leader he is destined to become. With the love and guidance of his parents, he enters this new phase of his life with confidence and a strong foundation that his father did not have the privilege of enjoying to the same degree.