Prince George set for first day at Eton College

Prince George is set for his first day as a boarder at Eton College, marking a major milestone for the 13-year-old heir.

Following Family Footsteps at the Historic Berkshire School

Prince George is taking another step in growing up by following in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales, who also attended the historic school in Berkshire. As the oldest child of Prince William and Catherine, George is second in line of succession to the throne.

The 13-year-old prince will become a boarder at the elite private institution. According to the BBC report on the school, Eton has taught 20 British prime ministers and carries annual fees of around £65,000 a year.

A photograph of Prince George was released for his 13th birthday. There had been speculation about which school Prince George would attend when he finished at independent prep school Lambrook in Berkshire, with a number of private schools being suggested. But a traditional option was chosen, with Prince George following his father, uncle Prince Harry, and great uncle Earl Spencer in attending Eton College. Prince George will now become a boarder, with the school having 25 boarding houses, with each having approximately 55 pupils, looked after by residential staff headed by a house master. The school is also not far from the prince’s family home in Windsor.

Royal Experts Discuss the Transition to Boarding School Life

Some boys take to boarding like a fish to water; others take a minute to settle in, writes the Good Schools Guide about Eton College, which says the school provides each boy with a private single room. Melanie Sanderson, the school guide’s managing editor, said Eton has spectacular facilities and spacious grounds and noted that despite its ancient buildings, it is a modern school with a progr[essive outlook].

Prince George set for first day at Eton College — Photo: AOL.co.uk

Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of the Good Schools Guide

Robert Jobson previously pointed out that this transition will be deeply emotional for the tight-knit family unit, comparing the change to having an empty seat at the table. While William and Kate prioritize personal school drop-offs, the demands of the royal diary threaten to alter those plans.

Balancing State Duty in Norway with Family Milestones

The Prince of Wales is heading overseas for an important occasion that falls on the same day as Prince George starting at Eton College.

Prince Harry, Meghan's return creates royal 'circus' as Prince George heads to Eton: expert — Photo: Fox News

The service begins at 1pm local time and Princess Anne will also be paying her respects to the late monarch as the godmother of new King Haakon VIII. According to royal sources, Prince William’s attendance representing King Charles upholds a tradition that the monarch doesn’t usually go to the funeral of another Head of State. Depending on flight times it’s possible that the Prince of Wales could still get to Norway in time after taking his eldest son to Eton. He won’t want to rush or risk being late to such a poignant State occasion, though, so I suspect William will miss out on George’s big day.

Prince George's FIRST DAY At Eton College: Catherine And William SHOW UP AT Their Son's Boarding Day

Buckingham Palace has confirmed only that William will be there and not that the Princess of Wales will be going too. This makes sense, as if the Prince of Wales is unable to be there for the 13-year-old’s first day at Eton, he’ll still have his mother supporting him. School drop-offs and pick-ups are something William and Kate prioritise doing personally and it might help Prince George feel a bit more at ease if his mum takes him to Eton for the start of the new term.

Navigating Family Tension Amid the Sussexes’ UK Return

The milestone arrives alongside a complicated backdrop of challenges. Fox News covered the royal expert commentary regarding Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan returning to the UK with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. However, according to royal experts, the couple is expected to avoid making public comments or releasing photos that could overshadow George’s first day.

Prince George at the Commonwealth Games in August 2026 with his father Prince William — Photo: BBC

Schofield said William and Kate may be forced to navigate the media attention surrounding Harry and Meghan while trying to maintain privacy for their children.

Kinsey Schofield, royal commentator

The family arrived after traveling via private jet and settling into a Cotswolds base while managing property holdings that include their Montecito home and a getaway villa in Portugal. While royal commentators suggest William and Kate will stay above the fray to protect their children’s privacy, the unexpected return places fresh scrutiny on the monarchy as a new term begins.