Like his dad Prince William did more than three decades ago, Prince George is a step closer to his destiny as monarch, starting at one of the world’s most prestigious schools.
George’s five years at Eton College, which began last week, are expected to shape the future king, just as they did his father. The school, which is nearly 600 years old and includes some of the original ancient buildings, is renowned for its world-class academic teaching and state-of-the-art facilities, including science labs and sports and arts amenities.
It prides itself on encouraging extensive personal development in everything from creative problem-solving to teamwork. Located across the River Thames from Windsor Castle, Eton is steeped in tradition. Its pupils wear a distinctive uniform featuring a black tailcoat over a black waistcoat and pinstriped trousers, with a white necktie.
A royal firts
They each have a room of their own in one of 25 boarding houses, which are overseen by a house master and a “dame”, a kind of matron who looks after the boys’ health and well-being. Students are assigned a personal tutor and given a “brick phone” – no smartphones are allowed.
Eton’s known for providing a well-rounded start in life that’s especially helpful for those headed for roles in public life and politics – or in William and George’s case, the monarchy’s top job.
Yet the decision by then- Prince Charles and Princess Diana to send William, and later Prince Harry, to Eton was a surprise – he was the first senior royal to attend the elite school.
He loved his years there and, along with getting a first-class education, one of the things William, 44, valued most about Eton was that he wasn’t given special treatment because he was royal.
“I’ve enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student,” he said in an interview when he left.
A more private life at Eton
William was also grateful for feeling protected from the gaze of the public at the school in the town of Windsor during his all-important formative years, which is thought to be one of the reasons he and the Princess of Wales, 44, chose it for George, 13.
In fact, it’s expected George will enjoy even greater privacy at Eton than his dad did. During William’s time, from 1995 to 2000, there were regular updates about
how he was getting on, with pictures released of him playing sports or performing in plays.
But after this first week, it’s highly unlikely there will be any images of George at school. And because Eton pupils need to walk through Windsor’s streets to get to some of their classes, No Photography signs have been put up in key places, warning paparazzi, as well as members of the public with smartphones, not to snap the young royal when he is out and about.
A big step for George
That will be a comfort to George, whose parents have successfully kept him out of the public eye when he’s not attending royal events. And it will help because being thrust into the very new world of boarding school could be quite daunting for George.
Royal expert and former BBC correspondent Jennie Bond, who was there to witness William arrive at Eton for his first day, says George may find it a much bigger change to his life than his dad, who had previously boarded at Ludgrove Preparatory School.
“George has had the security and comfort of living at home until now. There’s no getting away from the fact that moving away from your family home – and George’s is a very happy one indeed – is going to be a wrench. “But it is going to be an enormous help to George to know that his dad went to the same school and he can turn to him for advice, comfort or support.”
Jennie adds, “I’m certain William and Catherine wouldn’t send him to Eton unless George was completely happy with the idea. It’s a big step up in any young boy’s life but one for which, by all accounts, George is very much ready.”
