Prince George, the firstborn son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is preparing for a significant transition as he approaches the start of secondary school in September 2026. Currently enrolled at Lambrook School in Berkshire alongside his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, George’s next educational step remains uncertain.
The leading contenders for his new school are Eton College, an all-boys institution in Windsor that counts both Prince William and Prince Harry among its alumni, and Marlborough College, a co-educational school in Berkshire that holds sentimental value for Princess Kate as her alma mater. While the Wales family is actively considering their options, they are likely to postpone the announcement of George’s school until closer to his start date.
The reasoning behind this delay has been articulated by Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide. Sanderson noted that the family tends to reveal such pivotal decisions at the last moment. “If the Wales family runs true to form, they will announce Prince George’s secondary school at the eleventh hour, possibly as late as September 2026,” she explained. This strategy appears to be aimed at minimizing scrutiny on the school and George’s new peer group, allowing for a smoother transition with less public attention.
In examining the potential choices, Sanderson expressed a belief that Eton is the most likely option for Prince George. She described the school as “traditional, radical, expectation-busting and packed with confident boys with nary a hint of entitlement,” values that resonate with the current royal family ethos.
Looking back at the Wales family’s previous school announcements reveals a consistent pattern of last-minute confirmations. When relocating from London to Windsor in 2022, the family announced that George, Charlotte, and Louis would attend Lambrook School only two weeks before the academic term began. The palace statement at that time conveyed gratitude to Thomas’s Battersea, where the children had begun their education, stating, “Their Royal Highnesses are hugely grateful to Thomas’s Battersea where George and Charlotte have had a happy start to their education since 2017 and 2019 respectively.”
Similar patterns emerged when George began nursery at Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk. His parents shared this information in December 2015, just one month before his enrolment in January 2016. At that time, the school was conveniently located near their home at Anmer Hall, which remains a cherished family retreat.
Historically, the timing of school announcements within the royal family has varied. When Prince William prepared to attend Eton College in 1995, his parents, King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, only confirmed the decision in June, three months prior to the September start. Conversely, the announcement regarding Prince George’s acceptance to Thomas’s Battersea was made in March 2017, six months ahead of his beginning in Reception, generating considerable media buzz.
As Prince George approaches this new chapter, the Wales family is likely to continue their tradition of maintaining privacy around educational transitions, opting for a low-key approach that prioritizes the young royal’s comfort and adjustment. The decision on his secondary education will not only shape his academic journey but will also reflect the family’s broader values and hopes for the future.
