Kensington Palace has officially announced that Prince George will commence his education at Eton College in September 2026. This news marks a significant milestone for the young prince, who celebrated his 13th birthday in July. Following in the footsteps of both his father, Prince William, and uncle, Prince Harry, George’s forthcoming attendance at the esteemed institution underscores a continued royal tradition at one of the UK’s most prestigious schools.
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Eton College, located in Berkshire, has a history stretching back to its founding in 1440. It currently accommodates around 1,350 students across 25 boarding houses, each boy enjoying the privacy of his own room. The school has a notable legacy, having educated 20 British prime ministers alongside a multitude of cultural icons and royal figures.
Another factor in George’s decision to attend Eton is its proximity to his family’s residence, Forest Lodge in Windsor, which is a mere 15-minute drive away. This geographical closeness will allow George to maintain ties to his family as he embarks on this new chapter in his life. Historically, Prince William would often stroll to Windsor Castle from Eton on Sundays to share lunch with Queen Elizabeth, creating cherished family traditions that Prince George is expected to carry on.
The announcement also highlights the notable alumni from the royal family who have walked the grounds of Eton College. Prince William began his education at the school in 1995 and became the first future monarch to attend. Prior to this, royal tradition had favoured Gordonstoun School in Scotland, where Prince Philip and King Charles were educated.
William’s time at Eton was marked by a desire for normalcy, with a careful arrangement limiting press exposure during his formative years. The Press Complaints Commission Chairman at the time, John Wakeham, aptly remarked that Prince William was “not an institution; nor a soap star; nor a football hero. He is a boy,” affirming the multifaceted challenges tied to growing up under the public eye.
Prince Harry followed his brother to Eton three years later, enrolling in 1998. Completing his studies in 2003, he later pursued military training at Sandhurst. Harry has candidly spoken about his experiences at Eton, crediting sports, particularly football and rugby, as crucial in keeping him engaged during a time when he struggled academically. “Sport held me together,” he once reflected in an interview, emphasising the role of athletics in his educational experience.
Other members of the royal family have also graced Eton with their presence. The Duke of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth, began his academic journey at Ludgrove School before continuing on to Eton. He then moved on to Le Rosey in Switzerland and later achieved recognition for his proficiency in foreign languages after training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Similarly, Prince Michael of Kent, another first cousin of the late Queen, attended Eton before embarking on his military training. He is bilingual and also has a working knowledge of several other languages, alongside running his consultancy firm. Meanwhile, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, studied at Eton prior to pursuing architecture at Cambridge University, ultimately succeeding to his family titles after the untimely passing of his brother.
Prince George will not be the only member of the extended royal family to attend Eton. The two sons of Princess Margaret’s daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, also pursued their studies there in the 2000s and 2010s. Samuel Chatto has since established himself as a sculptor, while his brother Arthur has served with the Royal Marines.
The royal ties to Eton go beyond immediate family as well; David Armstrong-Jones, the 2nd Earl of Snowdon and son of Princess Margaret, saw his son, Charles, attend Eton at the same time as his cousins. Charles later pursued studies in production design engineering at Loughborough University, continuing the legacy of education that Eton has offered to many royals.
As Prince George prepares to take this significant step in his educational journey, the royal family can be expected to rally around him as he navigates both the rigours of academic life and the expectations that come with being a member of the monarchy. The lineage of royal Etonians attests to the school’s historical significance and continued relevance, affirming its status as a beacon of British education.