There's a certain sheet full of protocols the British royals live their lives by. From their birth as royals, growing up as the same, to becoming and taking responsibility as royals — the entire arc of their lives is governed by those guidelines. Seldom do we see royals who deviate from this chalked-out path for them. No matter how modern they become and present themselves to be, certain traditions die hard.
Royal children being sent to boarding schools for their education is one of those traditional protocols. For the British royals, boarding school isn't just about education — it's kind of a sacred ritual, almost a rite of passage. It's supposed to toughen kids up, teach them discipline, and prepare them for public life. Now, with Prince George hitting his teenage years, the same old question is making the rounds again: where's he off to next?
Prince George's next steps: The 'boarding school' chapter
Prince George, William and Kate's oldest son, who is in line of the throne after him, is set to leave Lambrook School, his current prep school, soon as he moves on to secondary education. And all signs point to boarding school, since it's pretty much a core tradition among royals and the aristocracy. Lately, rumors have heated up after reports showed William and Kate touring some of the UK's top schools, like Eton College, Marlborough College, and Oundle School. So why boarding school? And why does this matter so much for the monarchy?
Now, per People, boarding school has shaped generations of royals. King Charles was sent off to Gordonstoun, and so was Prince Philip. William and Harry famously did their time at Eton. Kate went to Marlborough. For these families, boarding schools offer privacy, security, and structure. Moreover, this is also considered a shot at some normal teenage experience outside palace walls. Royal kids learn how to make friends, compete, and handle life without their parents breathing down their necks.
With George, people pay even closer attention since he's right after William in line for the throne. Whatever school he goes to, it's a clue about the monarchy's future and what kind of king he might turn into. Royal commentators say William and Kate are trying to mix tradition with a bit of modern thinking: keep George grounded, but also ready for the huge responsibility waiting for him.
Why boarding school now?
George still goes to Lambrook in Berkshire with his siblings Charlotte and Louis. But the school only takes kids up to age 13, so the next step is right around the corner. In the UK, moving to boarding school at this age is normal, especially for those from aristocratic or royal backgrounds.
Word has it William and Kate are weighing a bunch of factors: how close the school is to Windsor, security, academics, but also George's well-being. They're more hands-on than previous generations — doing school drop-offs, cheering at sports games, trying to give their kids a home life that's, well, sort of normal. Maybe that's why the decision has taken time.
Recent reports say William and Kate might wait until the last minute to make George's new school public, hoping to avoid media chaos and let George settle in quietly.
Eton or somewhere else? Where could Prince George go?
Everyone used to think George would just follow William and Harry straight to Eton. It's nearby, deeply connected to the royals, and the academic and leadership opportunities are top-notch. William's Eton experience is considered pretty successful compared to Charles's much tougher time at Gordonstoun.
However, lately, the conversation's changed. Kate has reportedly shown interest in Marlborough College, which is her own old school, since it's co-ed and could welcome Charlotte and Louis in the future. Then came Oundle School. Apparently, William and Kate toured it privately, which got people buzzing about whether George's path really is as predictable as everyone thought.
Oundle has a less stuffy vibe compared to Eton, and former students say it's academically strong but not rigidly elitist. Still, there's been no official announcement.
What's next?
George will wrap up his time at Lambrook this summer, and secondary school starts in September 2026. Royal experts figure William and Kate might have already made their pick in private, even if the public's still waiting.
As of now, George's just another "regular" twelve-year-old, hitting the same milestone as a lot of British kids, only with the whole world watching. Whatever his parents decide from here, it's a huge change in his life. Boarding school will come with more independence, stricter routines, and much more public attention as he inches closer to his royal responsibilities. It'll play a big part in the kind of monarch he becomes one day.
