Prince George Eton College plans have finally been confirmed, putting an end to years of speculation about where the future king would continue his education. Kensington Palace officially announced in June 2026 that Prince George will begin classes at Eton College this September, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, and marking one of the most significant milestones of the young royal’s life so far.
The Official Announcement
Kensington Palace confirmed the decision on June 16, 2026, in a statement that read, “Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September.” The announcement ended what had become one of the most closely watched questions in royal circles, as observers had spent months debating whether the 12-year-old prince would follow his father to Eton or attend Marlborough College, the school his mother, Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended.
Prince George, who is second in line to the British throne, is the grandson of King Charles. Prior to this announcement, George and his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, had all been enrolled together at Lambrook School near the family’s home in Windsor. However, since Lambrook only educates students through Year 8, George needed to move on to a secondary school this year, while Charlotte and Louis will remain at Lambrook for now.
Eton College is located close to Windsor Castle in southeast England, making it a convenient choice given the family’s residence in the area. The historic all-boys school charges fees of roughly £63,298 per year. Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton has educated generations of Britain’s future leaders, including former Prime Ministers Robert Walpole, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson.
A Family Tradition Continues
The choice of Eton carries deep personal significance for the Wales family. Both Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry, attended Eton College before him. William attended the school, which educates boys from ages 13 to 18, from 1995 to 2000, becoming the first senior member of the royal family to attend the institution.
According to people close to the family, George’s decision to follow his father was driven largely by personal preference rather than outside pressure. A source told People magazine that George “has always wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps,” with his close bond with Prince William playing a significant role in the decision. The choice also offers practical benefits, since Eton is located just minutes from the family’s home at Forest Lodge near Windsor, allowing George to experience boarding school life while remaining close to his parents and siblings.
Reports indicate George is genuinely excited about the upcoming change. A source told Vanity Fair that the young prince “has been to see the school more than once and loved it,” adding that “he was very chuffed to be offered a place and is excited about getting fitted for a new uniform.” The decision reportedly came only after William and Kate carefully evaluated multiple schooling options before ultimately settling on Eton.
Interestingly, William’s brother Harry has offered a more mixed perspective on his own time at the school in the past. While William has spoken fondly about his years at Eton, Harry has suggested he largely stayed at the school because of its strong sports program rather than out of deep personal attachment.
Preparing for a Major Life Change
Turning 13 in July 2026 and starting at Eton in September represents a significant period of transition for George. The Prince of Wales has been gradually introducing George to more public-facing royal responsibilities in recent years, including appearances at charity events, as part of the ongoing process of preparing him for his future role.
The move to Eton will also mark a notable shift in George’s daily routine, as boarding school life differs considerably from his previous experience at Lambrook. Kate Middleton has spoken publicly about how quickly her children are growing, remarking during a September appearance that George, Charlotte, and Louis “are getting big now,” and noting that George’s shoe size already matched her own.
Security has also reportedly played a role in preparations surrounding George’s move. According to reports, Eton College has been tightening security measures, with specific rooms reportedly being upgraded with enhanced protective measures ahead of George’s anticipated arrival. This reflects the broader security considerations that come with educating a future monarch at a school that, unlike a private royal residence, involves daily interaction with a wider community of students, staff, and visitors.
Public Interest in George’s Education
The question of where Prince George would attend secondary school had been a subject of intense public speculation for years, given the symbolic weight of the decision for a future king. Royal commentators had predicted that the Wales family might wait until the “eleventh hour” to announce the decision, with one expert suggesting the announcement could come as late as September 2026, the same month George was due to begin classes. In the end, the palace confirmed the decision in mid-June, giving families, students, and the public several months’ notice ahead of the start of term.
The debate over Eton versus Marlborough had captured public attention in part because <cite name=”context”>the choice reflected a small but symbolic divergence between William’s and Kate’s respective educational backgrounds,</cite> with many royal watchers viewing the decision as an indicator of how George’s parents are shaping his upbringing and future public identity.
Latest Updates
As of this writing, Kensington Palace has not released further details about the specifics of George’s arrangements at Eton, including whether he will board full-time or attend as a day student. There is no official confirmation regarding these details at this time. George is expected to begin classes at Eton College in September 2026, following the completion of his final year at Lambrook School in July.
Final Thoughts
The confirmation that Prince George will attend Eton College marks one of the most significant milestones in the young royal’s life so far, blending personal preference, family tradition, and the practical realities of preparing a future king for public life. As September approaches, public interest in George’s transition to Eton is likely to continue growing, offering another chapter in the ongoing story of how the Wales family is raising the next generation of the monarchy.
Stay tuned for more updates on Prince George’s journey to Eton College, and share your thoughts in the comments below.