A major change has arrived for Prince George. The 13-year-old future king has left his previous school behind to become a pupil at Eton College, with Kate Middleton and Prince William accompanying him to the Berkshire campus on September 8.
The wet weather made the family’s arrival especially atmospheric, but Kate still opted for a polished look. The 44-year-old Princess of Wales stepped out in an emerald-green midi dress shaped closely through the waist before falling into a fluid skirt. She teamed it with brown suede court shoes, discreet earrings and a chunky yellow-gold necklace. Her recognizable sapphire engagement ring provided the finishing touch.
William appeared in a dark navy suit with a shirt, tie and brown footwear. George’s smart clothes echoed his father’s appearance, making the resemblance between the two particularly noticeable. His everyday wardrobe at Eton will soon look very different, as George is expected to follow the same uniform requirements as the other boys.
Two senior figures were waiting to receive the newest royal student. Eton headmaster Simon Henderson and provost Nicholas Coleridge welcomed George personally. Henderson offered him a handshake and a few encouraging words: “Welcome! Good luck! Enjoy.”
There was also a quiet mother-and-son moment as the Wales family made their way inside. Kate rested her hand gently against George’s back, appearing to offer reassurance as he stepped into unfamiliar surroundings.
His parents will initially help him get comfortable in his new living space, just as other families do when their children arrive. George’s room starts out simply, with a single bed, a writing desk and a number of shelves. More generous accommodation will become available as he progresses through the school.
For William, his son’s arrival at Eton inevitably connects the present with his own past. He made the same journey 31 years ago, when Princess Diana and the then-Prince Charles accompanied him to the college. Although William’s parents had been separated for three years by then, both attended the occasion. Prince Harry, who was 10 at the time, was there too.
William spent five years at Eton, from 1995 until 2000. His time there also coincided with the greatest tragedy of his adolescence. In 1997, while still a 15-year-old student, he faced the death of Diana following the fatal car crash in Paris.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith has said that the college offered William something particularly valuable during those years: consistency at a time when his private life was under extraordinary pressure. Eton also gave him some distance from relentless public attention. He formed a strong bond with housemaster Andrew Gailey, and friendships created during those school years have endured, with several former classmates still belonging to William’s closest circle.
Harry eventually followed the same educational route, attending Eton between 1998 and 2003.
The historic college dates back to 1440, when it was established by King Henry VI. An education there now comes with an annual price tag of roughly $80,000, equivalent to about 7 million rubles.
Until now, George had largely shared his school experience with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The royal children first went to Thomas’s Battersea while their family was based near Kensington Palace in London. Their move to Windsor brought another change, with all three enrolling at Lambrook.
That shared routine has now come to an end. George is starting his boarding-school years at Eton, while 11-year-old Charlotte and eight-year-old Louis are continuing their education at Lambrook.
