Prince George is set to attend Eton College, following the same educational path as his father, after Kensington Palace formally confirmed the decision.
In a brief announcement, the palace said: “Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September.”
More than four years ago, the Mail first reported that the future King had been registered for the prestigious boarding school, which charges annual fees of £63,000. At the time, sources described Eton as the Prince and Princess of Wales’ preferred option.
One major advantage is its location near Windsor Castle. The Wales family have settled nearby at Forest Lodge on the Berkshire estate, which they regard as their long-term home.
Even so, William and Catherine are understood to have considered several alternatives, and in recent years they were seen visiting a range of schools across the country while deciding where their eldest son should continue his education.
Earlier this month, the Mail also reported that the choice had been finalised after George, now 12, completed his Common Entrance exams.
The prince, who has been an occasional boarder at his current school, co-educational Lambrook, near Ascot in Berkshire, 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.
Prince George (pictured at Trooping The Colour) will follow in his father’s footsteps at Eton
Prince William is pictured with his father, mother and brother on his first day at Eton in 1995
Prince George of Wales and Princess Charlotte are seen during Trooping The Colour on June 13
When William went to Eton, later followed by his brother, Prince Harry, it was considered something of a departure from the royal norm.
Both their father, King Charles, and grandfather, the late Duke of Edinburgh, had been sent to Gordonstoun in Scotland.
And while Philip loved it, Charles was bullied mercilessly and dubbed it ‘Colditz in kilts’.
William’s mother, Princess Diana, was particularly keen on Eton, however, 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 also often walk over the bridge to Windsor to have lunch with his late grandmother at her Berkshire residence.
William (pictured at school) relished his time at Eton and then from there progressed to St Andrews University
George is pictured with his mother and father at the Easter Matins Service at St George’s Chapel on April 5
A source previously told the Mail: ‘It’s the natural choice, always has been. Living at Windsor is very much a long-term decision for the Waleses.’
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, one of the most influential and high-achieving.
George’s estranged uncle, Prince Harry, also went to Eton but his time there was less happy.
In his memoir, the prince bemoaned the fact that he struggled to fit in as a pupil at Eton and felt singled out because of his heritage, while his elder brother was unwelcoming.
He also wrote about taking drugs including cannabis while he was a pupil.
George was first given a tour of Eton in 2023 with his parents, and is understood to have visited several times since.
The school offers only termly boarding but pupils largely go home every two or three weeks through either ‘short leave’ – occasional weekends away – or school holidays.
Parents can also take their children out on Sunday afternoons.
All boys have their own room from the start of their time at Eton in small boarding houses with around 55 boys.
They are cared for by a dedicated team of house staff led by the ‘House Master and Dame’.
