Exclusive: For Prince George, Eton Offers the Chance to “Stand on His Own” as He Prepares to Become King, Says Educational Expert
Our take
The impending departure of Prince George to Eton College marks more than just a milestone in the young royal’s life; it’s a carefully orchestrated step in the long and complex preparation for his future role as King. As educational expert Sarah Suria notes, adolescence is a crucial period of self-discovery, a time to differentiate inherited expectations from individual identity. This resonates deeply with the broader cultural conversation around legacy and personal agency, a theme we’ve explored before in pieces like This Royal's Image Rehabilitation Has Become "One of the Greatest PR Campaigns" Ever, Says Royal Expert, where Buckingham Palace’s strategic efforts to reshape public perception underscore the importance of conscious self-presentation within established institutions. Eton, steeped in tradition and producing generations of influential figures, provides a unique environment for George to navigate this transition, shielded from some of the more immediate pressures of royal life while still receiving an elite education. It’s a deliberate choice, signaling a desire to foster independence and critical thinking in the heir apparent, qualities essential for a modern monarch.
The decision to send George to Eton, following in his father’s footsteps, isn’t simply about replicating a successful trajectory; it’s about consciously shaping his development. Eton’s emphasis on independent thought and leadership, coupled with its relatively secluded setting, allows for a degree of privacy and self-reflection that is increasingly rare for figures in the public eye. It’s a calculated attempt to cultivate a sense of self separate from the crown, allowing George to forge his own identity before assuming the full weight of his responsibilities. This echoes a broader trend within the royal family toward a more relatable and accessible image, as exemplified by the down-to-earth nature of Princess Anne, a sentiment captured in Princess Anne's Famous Cotswolds Neighbor Reveals the Down-to-Earth Place You're Likely to Find Her in Town. The underlying message is clear: the monarchy is evolving, and the next generation will be expected to embody a more nuanced understanding of duty and personal fulfillment.
Beyond the individual development of Prince George, this move speaks to a larger shift in how royal families are approaching education and preparation for leadership. Historically, royal education has been deeply intertwined with the performance of royal duties, often prioritizing protocol and tradition over individual passions. However, the modern era demands leaders who are adaptable, empathetic, and capable of engaging with complex global challenges. Eton, with its emphasis on debate, critical analysis, and extracurricular activities, offers a more holistic education that can equip George with the skills and perspectives needed to navigate the 21st century. The strategic use of imagery, as seen in Duchess Sophie Announces Her New Royal Role With a Special Portrait that Ties to Princess Kate—And a Surprising Nail Color, further demonstrates the deliberate curation of public perception, and Eton undoubtedly plays a part in crafting George’s future narrative.
Ultimately, Prince George’s journey to Eton is a microcosm of the broader evolution of the monarchy itself. It represents a conscious effort to balance tradition with modernity, duty with personal identity, and inherited expectations with individual aspirations. The coming years will be crucial in observing how George utilizes this opportunity to define himself, and how his experiences at Eton shape his approach to leadership. Will he emerge as a monarch who successfully blends the weight of history with a distinctly contemporary sensibility, or will the pressures of his role ultimately overshadow his individual journey? That is the question to watch as he embarks on this pivotal chapter.
The next three weeks will be bittersweet for Prince William and Princess Kate as they soak up the remaining days of summer with Prince George, who will head to boarding school for the first time in September. The 13-year-old heir to the throne is following in his father’s footsteps by attending Eton College, and according to psychologist and school admissions strategist Sarah Suria, the challenge for George will be finding his own path.
“I think what makes this such an interesting moment is that George is entering an age when children begin asking who they are outside of their parents, while becoming increasingly aware of what they have inherited from their family,” Suria tells Marie Claire.
For the past two years, royal circles have buzzed about whether the Prince and Princess of Wales would choose a new educational path for their son, perhaps sending him to Kate's alma mater, Marlborough College. The choice for George to attend the same school as his father presents both benefits and challenges, Suria says.
“Going to Eton, as William did, could offer familiarity and continuity, but the real opportunity is for George to walk into a place associated with his father and still find a way to make the experience his own,” she shares.
Unlike Prince Harry, who also attended Eton College, Prince George is going into secondary school with his path entirely set out in front of him at the age of 13. George also has the challenge of knowing that his father will likely become King at a much younger age than his grandfather King Charles did.
“Adolescence is really about beginning to separate what you’ve inherited from who you are becoming,” Suria notes. “For George, that’s happening within an extraordinary legacy, where parts of his future have been mapped out long before he could have a say in them.”
The Waleses are a famously close family, with Prince William and Princess Kate making it clear that their three children will always come first. Although living away from home at age 13 would challenge any child, Suria says that for George, leaving his family “can offer a different kind of growth.”
“A close-knit home may give a child a secure base; being away asks them to build a larger toolbox for navigating friendships, homesickness, academic demands and everyday setbacks,” she shares.
Prince George already boarded occasionally at Lambrook School, where he was a day student, preparing him for the realities of living away from home full-time. But as journalist Jack Malvern recently told Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," even though the Wales family lives geographically close to Eton, “emotionally, there's going to be a cut, because Eton sucks you in.”
However, Suria says that living away will serve George well as he continues in both his academic and royal careers.
“Independence is rarely built in one grand moment,” she shares. “It develops through small experiences of realizing, ‘I can handle this myself.’ For George, learning to stand on his own while maintaining a strong connection to home and family could be particularly meaningful as he grows into a life that will ask him to carry both his family legacy and a strong sense of who he is.”
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