As the future king, Prince George will eventually take his place on the throne after Prince William. But for now, the 11-year-old is concentrating on his schooling and enjoying his childhood. Soon enough, though, he will learn what it means to be a king.

The decision about where he and his siblings will continue their education is an ongoing conversation, especially now that Highgate School has been suggested as a strong contender. Recently, the school’s headmaster sent out an important message.

Approaching his 12th birthday in July, Prince George, the eldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, is gearing up for his future role as king. Though still young, discussions about his royal education have begun, focusing on where he will further his formal schooling.

As Prince George approaches the end of his time at Lambrook School, with only a year left, his family has been considering other schools. Decisions are yet to be finalized, but scouting trips have already begun. Recently, George was seen visiting Eton College, accompanied by his parents. Both Prince William and Prince Harry were past students there, with tuition costs close to £46,000 annually.

George wouldn’t be eligible to join Eton until he turns 13. However, early registration is required at age 10.

Which School Will Prince George Attend Next?

William and Kate are dedicated to providing their children with as normal a childhood as possible. This raises the question of whether boarding school, such as Eton, aligns with that vision. Royal expert Jennie Bond shared her insights with OK! about what this school choice might indicate about the royal family.

Bond stated, “The decision about schooling will speak volumes about William and Catherine’s approach. They have been hands-on parents, and sending their children to boarding school might be counterintuitive to their parenting style. Keeping them close as day pupils could align more closely with their principles, but since they both enjoyed their time at boarding school, it might be something they wish their children to experience as well.”

Bond further mentioned, “It might be an all-or-nothing decision – either all three children will go to boarding school, or none will. I am hopeful that they opt to keep their children at home, nurturing them through their adolescent years.”

Choosing Prince George’s next school is a challenging decision for his parents, particularly because their views on what might be best for him differ.

Kate Middleton’s Concerns Over Eton

According to In Touch Weekly, Kate reluctantly agreed to George’s desire to follow in his father’s footsteps by attending Eton. From her own boarding school experiences, though, this wasn’t her initial preference.

“Even though she supported his choice, she’s heartbroken. The thought of George facing difficulties she encountered, like bullying, is distressing to her,” an insider shared.

Fortunately, Eton’s proximity means that George could head home to visit family every weekend, not far from their Windsor residence. But Kate can’t shake the feeling that she’s going to miss him dearly.

An additional source disclosed to the Mirror that Kate feels Eton might not align with efforts to modernize the monarchy. “Kate worried that sending George to such a traditional institution might counteract their goal of modernizing royal life,” the source commented, revealing she eventually conceded to William’s wishes.

While Eton seemed a likely choice, this might not be Prince George’s fate after all. Recently, Kate Middleton was seen exploring Highgate School in London, hinting that it could be another serious option for George.

Prince George and London’s Highgate School

With a rich history spanning 460 years, Highgate is a well-regarded school offering co-educational programs from age four to 18. Its fees reach approximately £32,640 per year for secondary students.

During her Highgate visit, Kate was particularly interested in the drama department. As reported by the Daily Mail, discussions with teachers about drama curriculum and extracurricular activities piqued her interest, showing a focus on arts and performance opportunities at the school.

Despite its venerable status, Highgate appears open to modern changes. The headteacher, Adam Pettitt, has urged parents to embrace screen-free, quality time with their children and has suggested potential restrictions on mobile phone usage.

Many London schools are coordinating efforts to delay mobile phone access until students reach Year 10, around the ages of 14 or 15, aligning with Pettitt’s initiatives.

Highgate Headteacher’s Message to Parents

Pettitt, at the school’s helm since 2006, has successfully introduced a mobile phone ban during school hours, reviving in-person interactions and conversations in classrooms. Writing for The Times, Pettitt urged parents to ensure children’s time isn’t entirely consumed by screens, but rather balanced with other engaging activities.

“While restrictions on age-related mobile use are helpful, genuine engagement lies in how adults share time with children,” he commented, according to GB News. “Promoting activities beyond screens is essential. Children need to play and have screen-free time, enjoying enriching experiences with caring adults.”

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