Prince George will be attending Eton College from September, it has been confirmed.
The future King, 12, is Prince William and Kate's oldest child and is currently in his final year at Lambrook School in Berkshire, close to their Forest Lodge home in Windsor, with siblings Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight.
In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September."
Choosing Eton
The decision means George will be following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, by attending the traditional all-boys school, which costs a hefty £63,298 per year.
William attended the school, which educated boys from 13 to 18, from 1995 to 2000, becoming the first senior member of the royal family to attend the school.
He was awarded 12 GCSEs and three A-levels (A in Geography, a B in History of Art and a C in Biology), though his younger brother, Prince Harry, has spoken openly about his difficult time there.
Speaking on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast before the decision was announced, The Good Schools' Guide managing editor Melanie Sanderson revealed why the decision makes sense for the family.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesShe said: "You can see Eton College from Windsor Castle. So that would be lovely for George to be able to pop home. And the boys now are allowed a little bit of freedom to pop in and out of school at the weekends, to come home for Sunday lunch or tea on a Saturday evening after their sports fixtures."
Eton and £61,809-a-year Marlborough, the Princess of Wales's alma mater and a co-educational school, had long been considered the frontrunners for young George.
© Alamy Stock PhotoHallowed institution Eton has educated no fewer than 20 British Prime Ministers, including David Cameron and Boris Johnson.
In April, the school reportedly "beefed up" its security and revamped rooms in anticipation of George's arrival, according to the Mail on Sunday.
During his time at Eton, Prince William was largely protected from the press so he could enjoy his time at the college privately, and it's expected it will be the same for his son.
The other option
Another option for the young royal was Marlborough College, where Kate attended before going to St Andrews. Kate had previously attended Downe House before switching to £61,809-a-year Marlborough, which even has its own flight club. She received 11 GCSES and A levels, including an A in maths and art, and a B in English.
© GettyCurrent schooling situation
Prince George has attended Lambrook School since 2022, when the family relocated from London to Windsor. For nursery, he attended Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk, before starting at St Thomas's Battersea in 2017.
In May, William revealed that his son had been boarding there in recent months, preparing for his transition to big school.
© Getty ImagesSpeaking to Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston on Heart Radio, he revealed that "George is boarding", while Charlotte and Louis remained at home and would be listening in to the programme.
According to the school website, children aged 7-13 can stay from five nights a week to one night every so often. The website states there are two boarding houses, Lambrook House for girls and Westfield for boys. Each house is overseen by a house parent and supported by tutors.
© Getty ImagesMelanie previously said William and Kate had hoped to delay the school announcement for as long as possible.
She said: "They understand that the school itself, as well as George's new peer group, will fall under intense scrutiny as soon as it is revealed and will probably want to minimise this, allowing the young royal to transition to his new school with as little fanfare as possible."
Where do the royals traditionally go to school?
Perhaps you already know, in which case play our fun interactive where you must the match the royal to his or her old school (click here to play) if you are on a non-HELLO! platform).
King Charles was enrolled at Gordonstoun, a boarding school in Scotland, during his schooldays. He passed six of his O-levels, but was sadly bullied during his time there.
© GettyHis younger brothers, Prince Edward and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, also attended Gordonstoun, while Princess Anne attended Benenden School, leaving with six GCE O-levels and three A-levels.
Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, who recently married Harriet Sperling, both attended Gordonstoun. However, Princess Diana's brother and father both attended Eton.
Like the Princess of Wales, Princess Eugenie boarded at Marlborough College. Her older sister, Princess Beatrice, went to St George's. Queen Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret, meanwhile, were educated at home by Marion Crawford.
