Prince William and Princess Catherine of Wales are facing a different dilemma than ordinary families when it comes to choosing a school for their children.
While most parents have limited options between local state schools, the royal couple has the luxury of selecting from a range of eye-wateringly expensive private schools.
In a departure from tradition, they have reportedly decided to snub Eton, a long-established royal education institution, in favor of Marlborough College in Wiltshire for their eldest son, Prince George.
The decision is said to have been made by Princess Catherine, who toured her own former school, Marlborough College, for the second time on December 1st, accompanied by Prince William and Prince George.
It is believed that the Princess, who had a negative experience at an all-girls boarding school in Berkshire, prefers a co-educational environment for her children.
She flourished academically and athletically at Marlborough, and hopes that Prince George will have a similar experience.
Sending Prince George to Marlborough College also means that he will have the opportunity to overlap with his sister, Princess Charlotte, at the same school for a few years.
However, it remains uncertain whether their youngest sibling, Prince Louis, will follow in their footsteps and attend Marlborough College as well.
Notably, Princess Eugenie, a member of the royal family, also attended Marlborough College in the past.
The school’s location in Wiltshire is advantageous, as it is only an hour’s drive from the Middleton grandparents’ home.
Marlborough College provides full boarding and educates students up until the age of 13, which means Prince George will be in close proximity to his grandparents’ residence until approximately 2026.
According to a royal source, Princess Catherine has always been keen on providing her children with a more normal upbringing compared to their father, Prince William.
Marlborough College aligns with this desire, offering a co-educational environment with a range of facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, an athletics track, and a purpose-built art school.
Princess Catherine herself attended Marlborough College from 1996 to 2000, where she excelled in subjects such as maths, art, and English.
She even captained the women’s field hockey team during her time at the school.
Earlier this year, Prince George was spotted visiting Eaton College in Berkshire, another prestigious institution known for its high fees and notable alumni, including Princes William and Harry.
Prince Harry, in his memoir “Spare,” revealed that he didn’t quite fit in at Eaton College.
He found the school’s use of unusual lingo and categorization of students into “dry bobs” and “wet bobs” based on their sports preferences to be a shock.
However, Prince Harry embraced all activities and described himself as a “dry bob who occasionally got wet.”
In conclusion, Prince William and Princess Catherine have made the decision to send Prince George to Marlborough College in Wiltshire, deviating from the traditional choice of Eton.
The Princess’s own positive experience at Marlborough College, combined with her desire for a co-educational environment for her children, influenced their decision.
This move allows Prince George and Princess Charlotte to share a few years at the same school, fostering a sense of familiarity and continuity.