Royal Insiders Reveal How Prince George’s Experience at Boarding School Will Be ‘Very Different’ from Dad Prince William’s
Although Prince William and Kate Middleton have not yet revealed where their eldest son Prince George will attend boarding school next fall, one thing is for sure: his experience will be totally different from his dad’s. Even if the 12-year-old attends Eton College, where both his dad and his uncle Prince Harry went to secondary school, royal insiders say that George’s experience will be “very different” for one notable reason.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond recently shared that Prince George’s family support will make a world of difference in his boarding school experience. “When William was 13, he began his secondary education at Eton College,” Bond told the Mirror. “I remember standing a few yards away from him as he was welcomed by his housemaster, Dr Andrew Gailey – who became an important figure in the young Prince’s life. Both his parents were at his side but, by then, they were officially separated.”
“William and his brother had witnessed the painful breakup of the marriage over many years,” she continued, referring to his parents King Charles and the late Princess Diana. “So, in a way, being at boarding school became a haven for William. Things are very different for George, who has been brought up in a household full of love and harmony. So it might be tougher for him to suddenly find himself living away at boarding school – if that is, indeed, the decision his parents have made.”
It makes sense that it will be more difficult for George, who comes from a tight-knit family. Luckily, though, Bond predicts that Prince George will likely be very involved in the decision as to where to go to school. “But I’m sure it will have been a family decision – and not one simply imposed on the young prince,” she continued.
Once the decision has been made, however, the family will likely keep it a secret for as long as they can. A source from palace security told OK Magazine this month, “The alert over George’s safety is real and it’s serious. Threat monitoring spiked the moment discussions about George’s next school began circulating. That’s why the family is determined to keep the location under wraps.”
“Scenarios ranging from coordinated disruption to direct attempts to reach him have been run through,” another insider added. The fewer people who know in advance where he is going to be schooled, the safer he is from the likes of kidnappers and terror outfits.”
It’s so scary! But safety concerns aren’t the only reason the Waleses might stay mum about George’s school choice. They also want to minimize well-meaning fans. “If the Wales family runs true to form, they will announce Prince George’s secondary school at the eleventh hour, possibly as late as September 2026,” Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good School Guide, told Hello! last month.
She added, “They understand that the school itself, as well as George’s new peer group, will fall under intense scrutiny as soon as it is revealed and will probably want to minimize this, allowing the young royal to transition to his new school with as little fanfare as possible.”
Prince George is going to head to boarding school before we know it, and we hope it’s safe and normal as possible for him!
Before you go, check out all the times Prince George showed he’ll be a great king one day.