Princess Catherine and Prince William have a big decision to make about Prince George‘s future, and it’s left Kate Middleton feeling “heartbroken.” Oof.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl told the Mirror on Saturday the parents will need to decide where the pre-teen will enroll in school once his time at his current school runs out. Right now, he attends Lambrook, a co-ed Prep School for kids ages 3 to 13. His siblings Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, both attend the same school. Seeing as George is 11, though, his parents will have to enroll him in a new school soon — somewhere apart from his siblings. And they’re really torn about what to do next!
The insider revealed that the royals are currently bickering about what is the best next step for their eldest son. Kate wants him to continue to be educated at a co-ed school while the Prince of Wales has his heart set on George following in his footsteps at the famous all-boys school Eton, where he and Prince Harry went. Katie explained:
“Kate’s preference is for George to be at a co-education school, so he can be with his siblings, which is what Kate experienced at Marlborough [College] with her sister, Pippa, and brother, James.”
Makes sense. On the other hand, William’s drawing from his personal experience, too, the source continued:
“It was a very happy school life for her, but William has very fond memories of Eton, which has a long history with aristocrats and members of the royal family.”
While Harry and William attended the prestigious boarding school, Kate is “heartbroken” at the thought, partly because she thinks the school is too “stuffy.” How inneresting. It’s easy to forget because Kate fits so well within the royal family that she wasn’t raised in that world. She’s from a very well off family of course… but not quite in the Windsors’ upper echelon, class-wise.
So, what’ll happen next? It’s unclear. Maybe William will win out and George will head off to Eton, but it’s just as likely the 11-year-old could find himself somewhere new. Maybe a happy medium? Despite usually having to follow royal traditions, Harry and William broke the mold when they didn’t go to their father King Charles III‘s alma mater, so it wouldn’t be shocking if George did the same. The expert pointed out:
“There’s always the possibility of traditions being changed. William and Harry didn’t end up following in their father’s footsteps by going to Gordonstoun [in Scotland], and it may be that George breaks the Eton mold and ends up somewhere else.”
After Kate’s cancer battle, perhaps George will want to stay closer to home anyway? This would be a hard time to be living away from family! With no clear answer yet, Katie insisted the Princess of Wales and her hubby will do what they feel is best, saying:
“Whatever happens, it’ll be a decision made by William and Kate with George’s best interests factored in.”
They still have plenty of time to decide! That said, it’s easy to see why they have been thinking so much about the choice already. School has proved to be a very important factor in the kids’ lives amid their mother’s health crisis, Nicholl shared:
“When Kate was in hospital, George was on the football pitch playing with his friends. […] That sense of normality, of keeping the family going at one of the hardest times they’ve ever gone through, was important.”
She continued:
“The school gives them a great infrastructure and a great support network, and allows the children to live a regular childhood — a low-key, happy, albeit privileged childhood.”
It’s so important for the kids to have a safe space to learn and play, especially as their family faces so many health issues and rifts. Hopefully, Kate and William come to a decision that isn’t heartbreaking for either of them!
