On September 8, 2026, the eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, 13-year-old Prince George of Wales, officially began his education at the famous Eton College. His parents personally saw the future king off on this important day.
They were met at the doors of the college by Headmaster Simon Henderson and Provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge, Knight of the Order of the British Empire. Both warmly welcomed the young prince and wished him well in his studies.
Prince George entered the same prestigious boys’ boarding school where his father began in 1995. Symbolically, the event took place exactly 31 years after Prince William’s first day at Eton. William’s first day in 1995 was accompanied by a huge official photocall with many reporters (both Charles and Diana were there). For George, they tried to create “as normal” conditions as possible, limiting themselves to official portraits by royal photographer Matt Porteous.
Another fact gives the date a special emotional connotation: September 8 is the fourth anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. For Prince William, this day is associated with warm memories: during his student years, he often crossed the Thames to Windsor Castle to have tea with his grandparents. Now George will have the opportunity to maintain similarly close ties with his family, as the college is located near Windsor Castle, where the Welsh family now lives.
When George arrived, he was wearing dark trousers, a jacket, a shirt, and a tie. In keeping with Eton tradition, he would later change into the classic school uniform: a black tailcoat, waistcoat, and pinstriped trousers with a stiff white collar. For this day, Kate Middleton chose an elegant green dress by Emilia Wickstead.
Eton will be George’s first school with full-time boarding. He is expected to have his own room, as the college does not typically practice shared accommodation. The prince’s life will change significantly due to strict internal college rules. For example, first-year students are prohibited from using modern smartphones. Boys are required to hand over all digital devices to their supervisors at night – this should help them adapt more quickly to the educational process and face-to-face communication.
For the first time since 2022, George will be studying separately from his younger brother and sister. Eleven-year-old Princess Charlotte and eight-year-old Prince Louis will continue their education at Lambrook School.
Before the start of the academic year, signs prohibiting unauthorized filming were erected near the college. The royal family has formally asked the media to respect Prince George’s privacy so that he can study in peace and quiet, free from undue media attention—just as Prince William and Prince Harry once did.
Experts from the prestigious British Good Schools Guide told the BBC:
Most 13-year-old boys arriving at Eton cannot know what awaits them in adulthood. However, Prince George has a very specific future ahead of him. His parents, with a wide choice of the best educational institutions, decided that an Eton education was the best preparation for life as a modern working member of the royal family.
At the same time, there was some debate in society about whether it would have been worthwhile to send the future king to a regular state school so that he would be closer to the people. However, historians and experts agreed that in a regular school, George would have felt too conspicuous, whereas at Eton, where the children of the world’s elite study, it would be easier for him to adapt and not feel like a “black sheep.”
