Full Breakdown
Prince George to Join Eton College, Continuing Royal Educational Lineage
6/16/2026, 10:17:20 PM
Prince George's Enrollment at Eton College
Kensington Palace announced on 16 June 2026 that Prince George, the 12-year-old second in line to the British throne, will begin full boarding at Eton College in September 2026, turning 13 shortly before term start.
Historical Context and Family Tradition
Prince William attended Eton from 1995 to 2000 and described his time as enjoyable; his brother Prince Harry was a boarder from 1998 to 2003. Their father, King Charles III, was educated at Gordonstoun, while Princess Catherine studied at Marlborough College after leaving Downe House. Media speculation had highlighted Marlborough as a possible alternative for George.
Timeline of Recent Developments
2017-2022: George attended Thomas’s School, Battersea. 2022-2026: He enrolled at Lambrook, boarding intermittently. 2023: First visit to Eton with his parents. 16 June 2026: Palace confirmation. September 2026: Expected start at Eton.
School Profile and Costs
Eton charges roughly £63,000 per year (sources list £63,000 to £63,298.80, about $84,500-$85,000). The school enrolls about 1,350 pupils in 25 boarding houses of ~55 students each, with an annual intake of ~270 boys aged 13-18. The campus lies three miles, a 15-minute drive, from the Wales family home at Forest Lodge, Windsor Great Park.
Official Statements
The palace confirmed that Prince George will attend Eton College from September. William’s office reiterated the approximate £63,000 fee and described the choice as the best preparation for his future responsibilities.
Criticism and Alternative Views
Commentators note that Eton’s single-sex policy excludes Princess Charlotte, requiring a separate school for her. Some observers argued that Marlborough College would have offered a co-educational environment consistent with the parents’ earlier remarks about raising a “normal family.”
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on the exact fee (£63,000 versus £63,298.80) and on student numbers (1,350 total versus 270 annual intake). The Good Schools Guide describes Eton as “modern with a progressive outlook,” while other accounts emphasize historic uniforms. No official comment has clarified whether VAT will be added to the quoted fees.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September,” — Kensington Palace spokesperson
- “I've really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student,” — Prince William (June 2000)
- “Some boys take to boarding like a fish to water; others take a minute to settle in,” — Good Schools Guide, managing editor Melanie Sanderson
- “Prince George was seen at the weekend with his parents and siblings at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London.” — BBC
Outlook
George will reside on the Eton campus during term, returning home periodically. The palace indicated that subsequent educational milestones, such as university selection, will be announced in due course.
