Prince George is following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William.
But the young royal’s move to the prestigious Berkshire school is also a reminder of a decision first shaped by the influence of his late grandmother, Princess Diana.
For generations, Britain’s royal princes were expected to attend Gordonstoun in Scotland, the demanding boarding school that educated both King Charles and the late Prince Philip.
William, however, broke with that tradition when he became the first future king in decades to attend Eton instead.
According to royal author Simon Vigar, that change was largely driven by Diana, who believed the school offered the right balance between academic excellence and family life.
Her connection to Eton was deeply personal. Both her father and brother had studied there, and its location, just a short drive from Windsor, meant William could remain much closer to home than he would have been at Gordonstoun.
When William arrived at Eton in September 1995, both Diana and King were there to support him despite their separation.
A young Prince Harry also joined his family for the milestone, taking part in the school’s traditional first day ceremonies.
Just two years later, following Diana’s tragic death, Eton became a place of stability for William during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
Royal biographers have often described the school as a refuge where the future Prince of Wales found support from friends and teachers while continuing his education away from the intense public spotlight.
Three decades later, William and the Princess of Wales carefully considered several schools before deciding that Eton was also the best fit for their eldest son.
2026-07-31 23:22:00
