As the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George’s future carries significant weight, not just for the monarchy, but for the young royal himself.
Prince George may be years away from ascending the throne, but the choices made about his education are already generating buzz and reportedly causing tension between his parents, Prince William and Princess Catherine, according to royal experts.
Insiders reveal the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are facing a deeply personal decision of selecting the right secondary school for their 11-year-old son.
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard divulged, “The discussions have been circulating for years, with the Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly arguing and debating the decision for years. I’m surprised the bookies haven’t initiated a bet on which school Prince George will attend next autumn!”
Prince William and Princess Catherine at the Principality Stadium after the Six Nations 2025 match between Wales and England in Cardiff, Wales on March 15, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
While this might seem like a common parental dilemma, it carries additional significance for the family of a future monarch. And with such a high-profile background, the stakes are even higher for George and his parents, according to Chard.
Chard’s remarks followed reports from media houses indicating that the family began searching for Prince George’s next school earlier this year, with visits already made to several top institutions in and around London.
The Daily Mail reported that George recently visited Eton College ahead of the new school year, sparking widespread conversation among students and parents at the institution.
This tour has been vital as the prestigious institution was attended by both William and Prince Harry and has remained a favored option among royals and the elite.
Prince George at the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final in London, England on July 10, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
The family has explored other potential schools as well, including Highgate School in north London, which reportedly drew Catherine’s interest due to its impressive drama program. However, the distance from Windsor makes it a less practical option.
The princess also recently accompanied George on a visit to Marlborough College, her former school in Wiltshire. Now, the reported disagreement between William and his wife over George’s next school appears to stem from their differing personal experiences and concerns.
Several members of the royal family, including King Charles III, Harry, and Catherine, have had challenging school years in the past. These experiences seem to have influenced Catherine’s desire to find an environment where George can thrive both academically and socially.
“Eton wasn’t suitable for Prince Harry. Even Princess Catherine was bullied at a secondary school. Therefore, she is committed to securing the perfect fit for Prince George. And let’s face it, the world is their oyster — they have the pick of all schools,” shared Chard.
As much as Catherine and William can settle for any school, their debate reportedly centers around two, Eton College and Marlborough College.
According to royal expert Ian Pelham Turner, William is said to favor Eton, the traditional all-boys institution, known for its long history of educating members of the aristocracy and political elite.
Eton College in Berkshire as seen on January 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Strategically located near the family’s home, Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park, Eton offers both prestige and security, making it a seemingly logical choice in William’s eyes.
However, Chard notes that Princess Catherine is believed to be pushing for a different path, a co-educational environment, which she sees as more relaxed and nurturing.
“School days for Kate at times were not the happiest as she experienced bullying, so she leaned more towards a less conventional education for George than William,” Turner emphasized.
Marlborough College, which Catherine and her siblings attended, fits that mold and is known for being less rigid than Eton while still maintaining high academic standards.
General view of play during Day Three of the International Friendly match between England Women’s Academy and Australia Women at Marlborough College in Marlborough, England, on July 13, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Beyond the reputations of the schools, their differing views reflect broader concerns. For Catherine, George’s emotional well-being seems to take priority, while William values tradition and structure.
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich also believes Catherine wants a normal upbringing as possible for her son. “She was raised with strong family bonds and, therefore, prefers him to be at school with his siblings. She also would prefer Prince George to live at home versus a boarding school, a tradition for many generations of the royal family,” noted Fordwich.