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Where the British royal family went to school and university

See where the likes of King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales were educated 

Split image of Prince George, Prince William and King Charles at school
Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
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The royals have had an elite education and have attended some of the best and most prestigious schools and universities across the UK, including St Andrews and Cambridge.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex both began their education at London-based nurseries but later boarded at Eton College. The Berkshire-based school, which educates boys aged between 13 and 18, has a number of high-profile alumni, including former British prime ministers, Boris Johnson and David Cameron.

And of course, St Andrews is where William met his future wife, the then-Kate Middleton, while his cousin, Lady Louise Windsor began studying at the university in 2022. 

Find out more about the royal family's education, including which members took a gap year and who has the best academic qualifications...

Queen Elizabeth II

the queen© Getty
The Queen was taught at home

The late Queen and her sister Princess Margaret were educated at home by Marion Crawford. Neither had any formal qualifications, though the Queen was fluent in French. They were the last of the royal family to be educated at home.

King Charles

Charles at Trinity College, Cambridge University, in 1967© Getty
Charles at Trinity College, Cambridge University, in 1967

At the age of eight, King Charles briefly attended Hill House School, before entering Cheam School just six months later, where he remained for five years. The late Queen's eldest son then went to Gordonstoun, a Scottish public school where he took his GCE O-levels at age sixteen and passed six of them.

In 1967, Charles attended Cambridge, reading history, archaeology, anthropology. The then Prince of Wales graduated with a 2:2 degree in 1970, and marked the first university degree achieved by a British royal or heir to the throne.

Prince William

Prince William On His First Day At Eton College© Getty
Prince William's first day at Eton College in 1995

After attending London's Jane Mynors' nursery school and Ludgrove School as a child, William then went on to study at Eton College in 1995, becoming the first senior member of royal family to go there.

The heir to the throne graduated with A-levels in geography, biology and history of art alongside 12 GCSEs. The father-of-three also attended the University of St Andrews in Scotland, after taking a gap year, he graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 in geography.

Prince Harry

Prince Harry's first day at school in 1987© Getty
Prince Harry's first day at school in 1987

Prince Harry began his education at Wetherby School and Ludgrove School. Like his brother, he graduated from Eton, although he chose not to go to university but to complete ten months of officer commissioning training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Harry served in the Army for ten years, rising to the rank of Captain and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan. He continues to work in support of his fellow servicemen, promoting support for wounded men and women as they adapt to life post-injury.

Princess Kate

Kate Middleton in a graduation gown© Max Mumby/Indigo
Kate obtained a 2:1 in her degree

Kate and William famously met at the University of St Andrews, where Kate read history of art and left with a Master's degree. Before university, the Princess of Wales boarded at Marlborough College, a co-educational independent boarding school in Wiltshire.

The mum-of-three started her education at St Andrew's Prep School in Berkshire. Kate excelled in sports and acting, becoming captain of the school's hockey team and playing Eliza Doolittle in a production of My Fair Lady.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle in 2010© Getty
Meghan attended Northwestern University

The former actress was educated at private schools before attending Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles.

Meghan received a bachelor's degree in Theatre and International Studies from Northwestern University School of Communication. Alongside her degree, Meghan completed an internship at the American embassy in Buenos Aires and studied for one term in Spain.

Prince George

The Wales' now live in Windsor, pictured here accompanying their children on their first day to Lambrook School© Getty
The Wales children on their first day at Lambrook school

The eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales started attending Westacre Montessori School Nursery in Norfolk in 2016, before moving on to Thomas's Battersea in September 2017. 

Following the family's move to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, George and his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, enrolled at Lambrook preparatory school in Berkshire.  See their arrival on their first day in the clip below...

WATCH: George, Charlotte and Louis arrive for first day at Lambrook school

Lambrook educates boys and girls from ages three to 13 and boasts a nine-hole golf course, a 25-metre swimming pool, and a large sports hall.

Princess Charlotte

the cambridge family at george's school© Getty
Princess Charlotte's first day at Thomas's Battersea in 2019

Like her big brother, Princess Charlotte studied at Thomas's Battersea before moving onto Lambrook School. The royal previously attended the private Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, close to the family's London residence, Kensington Palace. 

Prince Louis

The young with his mum Princess Kate© Getty
Prince Louis' first day at Lambrook school

William and Kate's youngest child, Prince Louis, began his education in the same week as his third birthday in April 2021. The royal previously attend Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, but like his siblings, he is now a pupil at Lambrook. 

Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice Starts New School, 2000© Getty
Princess Beatrice on her first day at St George's, Ascot in 2000

Beatrice began her education at Upton House School, followed by Coworth Park and St George's Schools. The royal then studied at Goldsmiths, University of London and graduated with a 2:1 degree in history and the history of ideas.

Princess Eugenie

Princess Eugenie's first day at school© Getty
Princess Eugenie on her first day at Upton House School

Princess Eugenie  began her schooling at Winkfield Montessori from 1992 to 1993. From there, she joined her sister at Upton House School in Windsor. She also attended Coworth Park School and then St George's School, near Windsor Castle until 2003.

For the next five years, Eugenie boarded at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she achieved two As and a B in art, English Literature and history of art.

Eugenie studied at Newcastle University graduating in 2012 with a 2:1 degree in English literature, history of art and politics. She is said to have the best academic grades among the current British royals. 

Lady Louise Windsor

Lady Louise Windsor in a coat and hat© Mark Cuthbert
Lady Louise is studying at St Andrews

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's eldest daughter is currently following in the footsteps of William and Kate by attending St Andrews University, where the 20-year-old is studying English literature.

Before this, Lady Lousie studied at St George's School Windsor Castle, like her cousins, Beatrice and Eugenie, before moving onto St Mary's School Ascot, where she graduated with A-levels in English, history, politics and drama. The royal's GCSE grades were never made public, with Buckingham Palace saying that it was a "private matter".

Princess Anne

https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/20210831120697/royal-children-first-day-at-school/© Getty
Princess Ann during her first term at Benenden School for girls in Kent, in 1963

Princess Anne attended Benenden School, leaving with six GCE O-levels and three A-levels. The Princess Royal requested that she be treated as any other student during her time at the school, which meant making her own bed, washing the dishes and waiting on tables.

Prince Edward

Prince Edward riding bicycle at Cambridge University© Getty
Prince Edward also attended Cambridge University

Prince Edward attended Gordonstoun, enrolled for two terms at the Wanganui Collegiate School in Wanganui, New Zealand where he served as a house tutor and oversaw drama classes. In 1986 the royal received a BA degree from Jesus College, Cambridge.

Prince Andrew

The Queen and Prince Andrew, Gordonstoun© Getty
Prince Andrew's first day at Gordonstoun

Prince Andrew attended Gordonstoun, where he achieved six O-levels and three A-levels.

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