In a heartfelt announcement that has captured the attention of royal watchers worldwide, Prince William and Princess Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, have confirmed a significant decision regarding the future education of their three children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. The royal couple has chosen to steer their children’s schooling away from the hustle and bustle of London, opting for a new path that prioritizes a grounded, family-oriented upbringing in the serene countryside of Windsor. This move, announced on August 16, 2025, by Kensington Palace, marks a continuation of their commitment to providing their children with as normal a childhood as possible, while preparing them for their unique roles within the British monarchy.
The decision comes as part of a broader transition for the Wales family, who have been steadily reshaping their lives to balance royal duties with personal priorities. Since their relocation from London to Windsor in 2022, the family has embraced a quieter existence, rooted in their charming four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Castle estate. This shift was initially driven by a desire to give Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis a less scrutinized environment, away from the intense media spotlight of central London. The children have thrived at Lambrook School, a prestigious co-educational preparatory school in Berkshire, since September 2022, where they are known simply as George Wales, Charlotte Wales, and Louis Wales, reflecting their parents’ titles.
However, as Prince George approaches his teenage years, the question of his next educational step has loomed large. Lambrook School caters to students up to age 13, and George, now in his final year, will soon transition to secondary education. The announcement from Kensington Palace reveals that the family has carefully considered their options and decided to continue the children’s education outside London, with a strong inclination toward Marlborough College in Wiltshire. This choice is deeply personal for Princess Kate, who attended Marlborough from 1996 to 2000 and credits the school with shaping her into the confident, well-rounded person she is today. The decision also signals a potential break from royal tradition, as Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry, both attended the all-boys boarding school Eton College, a path many assumed George would follow.
In a statement released by the palace, the couple expressed their reasoning: “We want our children to grow up with a sense of freedom and connection to the world around them. Marlborough College offers an environment that aligns with our values of kindness, community, and personal growth, while providing an exceptional education.” The statement also highlighted the family’s desire to keep all three children together for as long as possible, noting that Charlotte and Louis may join George at Marlborough in the coming years, allowing the siblings to maintain their close-knit bond.
Marlborough College, set on a sprawling 280-acre campus in the picturesque Wiltshire countryside, is renowned for its progressive approach to education. The co-educational boarding school, with annual fees of approximately £50,985, emphasizes academic excellence alongside a strong focus on sports, arts, and outdoor activities. Kate, who excelled in sports like hockey and tennis during her time there, has spoken fondly of her school days, describing them as “happy and formative.” The school’s family-oriented atmosphere, with 16 boarding houses that encourage regular parental visits, aligns perfectly with William and Kate’s hands-on parenting style. Unlike Eton, which is exclusively for boys, Marlborough’s co-educational environment allows for the possibility of all three Wales children attending together, a factor that reportedly weighed heavily in the decision.
The choice of Marlborough over Eton has sparked discussions among royal commentators, with some praising the couple for modernizing royal traditions. “This is a groundbreaking move,” noted one royal biographer. “By choosing a co-ed school, William and Kate are signaling a more inclusive, modern approach to raising the future king and his siblings.” Others have pointed out the personal significance for Kate, whose siblings, Pippa and James Middleton, also attended Marlborough. While Pippa thrived, James has spoken candidly about struggling with the school’s competitive environment, highlighting the importance of tailoring education to individual needs. William and Kate, aware of these dynamics, reportedly consulted with educational experts to ensure Marlborough would suit George’s personality and future responsibilities as the heir to the throne.
The decision also reflects the couple’s broader vision for their children’s upbringing. Since moving to Windsor, they have prioritized a lifestyle that allows George, Charlotte, and Louis to experience the joys of childhood—playing in the countryside, engaging in outdoor activities like den-building and gardening, and spending quality time as a family. Adelaide Cottage, with its cozy interiors and private gardens, has been described as a “sanctuary” where the family can escape the pressures of public life. William, in a 2023 interview, shared his love for the area, saying, “It’s peaceful here. The children have space to run and explore, and we can just be a family.”
The move away from London began in 2022, when the family left their 20-room residence at Kensington Palace’s Apartment 1A for Windsor. This relocation was driven by both practical and emotional considerations. The proximity to Lambrook School eliminated the “nightmare” school run from London to Battersea, where George and Charlotte previously attended Thomas’s Battersea. It also brought the family closer to Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who live in nearby Bucklebury, providing a support network during challenging times, including Kate’s cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2024 and 2025. The Middletons have been a constant presence, offering practical help and emotional support, which has been especially crucial during Kate’s recovery.
The announcement has not been without its challenges. The decision to move the children’s education away from London has sparked some public debate, particularly amid the UK’s ongoing cost-of-living concerns. Critics have pointed out the privilege of choosing a school with such high fees, especially when the family retains multiple residences, including Anmer Hall in Norfolk and their Kensington Palace apartment. However, supporters argue that William and Kate are funding the children’s education privately, with no direct taxpayer burden, and are making choices that prioritize their children’s well-being over public optics.
Kate’s personal connection to Marlborough adds a layer of emotional weight to the decision. During her time at the school, she overcame early struggles with bullying at her previous school, Downe House, and found her footing at Marlborough, where she forged lifelong friendships and discovered her passion for sports and art. Her experience has clearly influenced her parenting philosophy, as she seeks to provide her children with a similarly supportive environment. “Kate wants George to have the chance to grow into himself, not just his title,” a source close to the family shared. “She believes Marlborough will give him the tools to be a confident, compassionate leader.”
For Prince William, the decision required balancing his own positive experiences at Eton with Kate’s perspective. Reports suggest the couple engaged in lengthy discussions, with William initially favoring Eton’s prestigious legacy and Kate advocating for a more inclusive, family-oriented setting. Ultimately, they reached a compromise that reflects their shared values, with William embracing the idea of a co-educational environment that could benefit all three children. “It’s about what’s best for George, Charlotte, and Louis as individuals,” William reportedly said during a private conversation. “We want them to be happy and prepared for their futures, whatever they may hold.”
As the Wales family prepares for this new chapter, they remain focused on maintaining a sense of normalcy. The children will continue to attend Lambrook for the 2025-2026 school year, with George’s transition to Marlborough expected in September 2026. In the meantime, William and Kate are making the most of their time in Windsor, with recent public appearances at the Natural History Museum and local community events showcasing their commitment to environmental and social causes. The couple’s decision to keep their children together in a nurturing, rural setting underscores their dedication to family unity and personal growth.
The world will undoubtedly watch closely as Prince George, the future king, embarks on this new educational journey. For now, the Wales family is savoring the calm before the transition, grounded in their love for one another and their shared vision for a modern monarchy. As Kate said in a recent engagement, “Our children are our greatest teachers. They remind us every day to cherish the moment and keep moving forward.”
