Prince George Follows Prince William to Eton College: Inside the Elite British School with Hollywood Connections

Key Points

• Kensington Palace has officially confirmed that Prince George will attend Eton College starting this September 2026
• Prince George, who turns 13 next month in July 2026, will follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, at the prestigious boarding school
• Eton College charges approximately £63,000 (around $85,000) per year in fees, making it one of Britain’s most expensive schools
• The school was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI and serves boys aged 13 to 18, not a university despite its name
• Prince William became the first senior royal to enrol at Eton in 1995, breaking from royal tradition as his father Prince Charles attended Gordonstoun in Scotland
• Prince Harry also attended Eton College from 1998 to 2003, joining three years after his older brother
• William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, reportedly considered several options including Marlborough College (Kate’s former school) before choosing Eton
• Eton College is located in Eton, Berkshire, close to Windsor Castle in southeast England
• Notable former students include Eddie Redmayne, Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, Damian Lewis, George Orwell, Sir Ian Fleming, Boris Johnson, David Cameron, and Bear Grylls
• The palace statement read: “Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September”
• Prince George toured Eton College campus with his parents in June 2023
• During William’s school days, he often visited Windsor Castle for afternoon tea with his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II
• Eton has produced 20 UK Prime Ministers throughout its history, making it a leadership training ground for British ruling classes
• The school is sometimes called “the nursery of England’s gentlemen”
• Prince Harry had a more difficult experience at Eton compared to William, saying sports “held him together” while there
• Annual fees for academic year 2025/26 are £21,099.60 per term, spread over three terms

Kensington (Britain Today News) June 16, 2026 — Kensington Palace has officially confirmed that Prince George will attend Eton College starting this September, following in the footsteps of his father Prince William and uncle Prince Harry at Britain’s most prestigious boarding school. The 12-year-old prince, who will turn 13 next month in July, will begin his education at the centuries-old institution located in Berkshire near Windsor Castle, continuing a family tradition that broke from royal convention when William became the first senior royal to enrol there in 1995.

What Did Kensington Palace Confirm About Prince George’s School?

As reported by a palace spokesperson to PEOPLE on Tuesday, June 16, 2026,

“Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September”.

The formal statement from William’s office ended months of speculation about which institution the future king would choose for his secondary education. According to NBC News, George’s father, Prince William, the heir to the throne, and his uncle Prince Harry both attended Eton, which is located close to Windsor Castle in southeast England.

The announcement marked a new chapter for George, who will become second in line to the throne after his father, the Prince of Wales. As reported by The News, Kensington Palace’s confirmation marks

“a new chapter for George, who will become part of an institution where Britain’s aristocrats as well as political elite’s children have been enrolled”.

How Much Does Eton College Cost Per Year?

Eton College isn’t your average private school. As reported by multiple sources, the college charges around £63,000 a year in fees, which translates to approximately $85,000 annually. According to the college’s website, the fees for the academic year 2025/26 are set at £21,099.60 per term, spread over three terms. GB News reported that the prestigious boarding school currently charges some £52,000 per year, but in a letter to parents ahead of the start of the school year, Eton said parents would “likely” end up shelling out £63,000.

The annual fees at Eton exceed £63,000, making it one of Britain’s most expensive schools, according to GB News. This substantial cost reflects the school’s status as one of the most famous educational establishments in history, with its centuries-old boarding programme serving as a leadership training ground for the British ruling classes.

Why Did William and Catherine Choose Eton Over Marlborough College?

The young prince’s parents, William and Kate Middleton, have mulled over several options, including the latter’s school, Marlborough College, before ultimately deciding on Eton. As reported by Daily Hunt, this decision is understood to have followed extensive consideration by William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who reportedly visited several schools, including Marlborough College, Kate’s former school, before choosing Eton.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are thought to have chosen Eton College for Prince George’s senior school education beginning in September 2026, according to a well-placed source reported by GB News. The royal couple were seen touring various prestigious schools in recent months, with particular attention paid to Marlborough College, where the Princess of Wales thrived during her own education.

However, the pair eventually opted for an iconic all-boys school. As reported by The News,

“Prince William knows the ins and outs of the institution, making it a convenient choice for the family”.

Again, the proximity of Eton College and Windsor has been so much nearer that during William’s school days, he often paid a visit to the late Queen Elizabeth II for afternoon tea.

When Did Prince William and Prince Harry Attend Eton?

William became the most prominent royal to attend Eton, diverging from royal tradition, as his father, Charles, went to Gordonstoun in Scotland, according to The Mirror. William, who will celebrate his 44th birthday this Sunday, attended Eton from 1995 to 2000, boarding at Manor House. The media captured his first day at the school, where he was accompanied by his parents, Charles and Diana, and brother Harry, as he officially registered on September 6, 1995.

When Prince William enrolled at Eton College in 1995, he became the first senior royal to enroll in the school in Berkshire, England, as reported by Town & Country Magazine. Prince George will follow in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales, who also attended the private school, according to BBC.

Prince Harry joined the school in 1998, three years after his older brother, according to Daily Hunt. Harry, who was enrolled at Eton from 1998 to 2003, earned two A-levels, receiving ‘B’ in art and ‘B’ in geography, according to The Express. On September 3, 1998, Harry began his first day at Eton, according to InStyle.

How Did Prince Harry’s Experience at Eton Compare to William’s?

Prince Harry “probably had it harder finding his way” at Eton compared to his older brother, William, according to a former peer reported by The Express. Prince Harry had a much more difficult experience at Eton College than his older brother, Prince William, who excelled there academically and socially, according to InStyle.

Harry struggled at the all-boys boarding school, and said in a new interview with TIME that, were it not for sports, “there’s no way I would have stayed in school,” according to InStyle. Harry’s entry into Eton coincided with a particularly challenging period in his life; he began attending in 1998, just a year following the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, in a car crash on August 31, 1997, according to InStyle.

Damian Lewis, another Eton alumni, also wasn’t such a fan of being away from home at a young age. Lewis, who was sent to boarding school at eight, said he found it a “very violent experience” at such a young age, and wouldn’t send his own children away so young, according to Business Insider.

What Is Eton College’s History and Founding?

Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, it’s one of the most famous educational establishments in history, according to NBC News. The Foundation Charter of Eton College, dated 11 October 1440, converts the former parish church of Eton into both a collegiate church and, importantly, a school, according to Eton College Collections.

Originally called Kynge’s College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore, Eton was founded by Catholic King Henry VI in 1440 to educate 70 underprivileged children, according to Ancient Origins. When Eton says their school has history, they’re really not kidding, according to Ancient Origins.

Despite its name, it’s not a university but rather a school for boys aged between 13 and 18, according to NBC News. Eton College is an exclusive boarding school sometimes called “the nursery of England’s gentlemen,” according to Yahoo News.

Who Are the Famous Alumni of Eton College?

Eton College isn’t your average private school. The college has, for generations, served as a leadership training ground for the British ruling classes, according to NBC News. Other notable former students include George Orwell, Eddie Redmayne and Damian Lewis, according to Daily Hunt.

William’s choice to attend Eton mirrors his mother’s family tradition, as the school boasts a prestigious list of alumni, including 20 UK Prime Ministers, actors such as Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, and Eddie Redmayne, along with the renowned author George Orwell, according to The Express.

Authors from Henry Fielding to George Orwell started their education at Eton, and it is where internationally-renowned actors and singers have found their feet, according to Business Insider. Before he became a political thinker and author, the “Animal Farm” writer was born Eric Blair, and attended Eton on a King’s scholarship, according to Business Insider.

Hugh Laurie (1959- ), unlike Fleming, excelled at Eton. He was a house captain, and went on to study at the University of Cambridge. Today, Laurie is one of the highest-paid TV actors in the world, according to Business Insider.

Just like West, “Homeland” actor Damian Lewis struggled with his time at Eton, according to Business Insider. Hiddleston began boarding at Eton at the age of 13, and just like Laurie, became a house captain, according to Business Insider.

“Fantastic Beasts” star Eddie Redmayne was in the year below Turner and Prince William at Eton, according to Business Insider. Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne went to Eton College from 1995 to 2000 and was in the same school year as Prince William, according to Dada. The pair played rugby together and are reportedly still friends to this day, according to Dada.

Golden Globe-winning actor Tom Hiddleston also attended Eton College at the same time as Prince William, although he was in the year above the royal, according to Dada. He even admitted to starring in plays alongside Eddie Redmayne at school during an appearance, according to Dada.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson is another well-known Eton alumni, according to Dada. The controversial politician was the fifth Eton-educated prime minister since World War II, according to Dada. David Cameron was yet another prime minister to attend the school, according to Dada. The Conservative politician was a pupil at the school from 1979 to 1984, according to Dada.

Eric Arthur Blair, aka George Orwell, was a writer, journalist and critic who started out his academic days at Eton, according to Dada. Orwell studied at the school until December 1921, subsequently moving to Burma, now Myanmar, to start work, according to Dada.

Adventurer Edward Michael ‘Bear’ Grylls was also on the Eton entry list, according to Dada. James Bond author Ian Fleming was yet another fully-fledged Etonian, according to Dada. The writer attended the school in 1921 and was unsurprisingly the editor of the school magazine The Wynvern, according to Dada.

Where Is Eton College Located?

George’s father, the heir to the throne Prince William, and his uncle Prince Harry also both attended Eton, which is located close to Windsor Castle in southeast England, according to NBC News. Eton College is one of the most prestigious and well-known independent boarding schools in the United Kingdom, according to Warren Property Matters. It is located in Eton, Berkshire, near Windsor, according to Warren Property Matters.

Prince George visited Eton College with mom Kate Middleton and dad Prince William earlier this week, the all-boys boarding school both Prince William and Prince Harry attended when they were around his age, according to Romper. Prince George toured its campus in June, according to Yahoo News.

Prince George Toured An All-Boys Boarding School, His Dad’s Alma Mater, according to Romper. The future king visited Eton College with his parents, Kate Middleton and Prince William, according to Romper.
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What Age Does Prince George Start at Eton?

George, who will turn 13 in July, is set to attend Eton College in the fall, following in Prince William’s footsteps, according to PEOPLE. George, who turns 13 next month, will start at Eton College this fall, according to NBC News.

Prince George, the 12-year-old grandson of King Charles, is set to enroll at the esteemed Eton College starting this September, according to NBC News. Prince George is officially heading to Eton College, a £63,000-a-year institution in whose halls once dwelled his father, Prince William, according to The News.

Prince George will begin attending Eton College from September, Kensington Palace has confirmed, continuing a long-standing royal connection with the prestigious institution, according to Daily Hunt. His father, Prince William, became the first senior royal to enrol at Eton in 1995, while Prince Harry joined the school in 1998, according to Daily Hunt.

Why Is This Decision Significant for Royal Tradition?

When William enrolled in 1995, he became the first senior royal to attend the school, according to GB News. William’s choice to attend Eton mirrors his mother’s family tradition, as the school boasts a prestigious list of alumni, according to The Express.

Royal children had previously attended Gordonstoun in Scotland; but Princess Diana’s father and brother had attended Eton, according to Town & Country Magazine. This is why William’s choice was significant – he diverged from the traditional royal path.

Just like William regularly had Sunday lunches with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle during his enrollment at Eaton, William’s history of attending Eaton is also said to have swayed their decision, according to GB News. During his time at Eton, William frequently took advantage of Sunday afternoons to visit Windsor Castle for tea with his late grandmother, the Queen, according to The Mirror.

What Does This Mean for Prince George’s Future?

The future king is heading to Britain’s prestigious, $85,000-a-year boarding school, where famous former students include Eddie Redmayne, according to the original news title. The future monarch enrolled at the esteemed private institution, which charges annual fees of £48,501, in 1995 at the age of 13, according to The Express.

Prince George is set for a big year in 2026. He’ll turn 13 on July 22 and begin secondary school — a major milestone for the future, according to Instagram. He’s expected to start at Eton College, the prestigious boarding school where both Prince William and Harry were educated, in September 2026, according to Facebook.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have been deliberating for months on the best educational institution for their eldest child, who is second in line to the throne, ultimately deciding on the renowned boarding school, according to The Express.