The Future Prep School Where Prince George Attends Will Be Getting “a Little Bit of a Poisoned Chalice,” Says School Expert

Having the future King at your school is "a great burden and a huge responsibility," per the editor of the 'Good Schools Guide.'

Prince GEorge wearing a navy suit and tie
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince George has long been suspected to head to his father’s alma mater, Eton College, when he starts secondary school in September. But the soon-to-be 13-year-old has also been rumored to be attending Princess Kate’s old school, Marlborough College, and there’s several other potential options. While George’s choice should be set in stone by now, no official announcement will likely be made until the summer. It will mark an exciting moment for whichever school he chooses, but one expert in British prep schools said that it’ll also be a “burden” for his future headmaster.

Speaking on Hello! Magazine’s “A Right Royal Podcast,” Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, said that children’s prep school choices in the U.K. are typically set by year six. Prince George will finish year eight at Lambrook School in July, but Sanderson said that “the normal rules possibly don’t apply” to the future King.

“It feels as though they may be holding multiple places at different schools,” Sanderson said of Prince William and Princess Kate, adding, “if they’d made a definitive decision, somebody would know and it would be out.”

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Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte holding hands with their parents at school

Prince George and his siblings arrive with their first parents on their first day at Lambrook School in 2022.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles wearing suits standing in a row at Eton College in 1995

Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Prince Charles are pictured with Prince William on his first day at Eton College in 1995.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The educational expert said she thinks Eton will be the ultimate choice for George as the future King, but if the Wales family wants to keep all three of their children together, he could be looking at a different school like Oundle in Northamptonshire or Wellington College, which is very close to Windsor.

No matter where George attends, it will be a double-edged sword for the institution. Noting that although it would be great PR for his school, Sanderson said “it’s a little bit of a poisoned chalice.”

“Theres a lot of extra work and security and attention on your school from the press, for example, that goes hand in hand with that,” she explained. Having the future King attending your school is “a great burden and a huge responsibility for any headmaster or headmistress to carry,” Sanderson added.

When Prince William enrolled at Eton, it was announced in June 1995, just three months before he began his studies. If William and Kate follow precedent, the public will have to wait just a bit longer to find out where George will be heading this fall.

Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.