Speaking to royal reporter Bronte Coy on this week’s episode of The Sun’s Royal Exclusive, royal reporters Richard Palmer and Katie Nicholl spoke about the significant decision looming for Princess Kate, 42, and Prince William, 42, in regards to Prince George’s schooling.
According to Bronte, Kate and William are unsure on which school will be right for their oldest child, Prince George, 11.
Bronte claimed: “It seems to be the case that Kate and William are a little bit at odds on where he should go, whether he should go to boarding school or to a co-ed school.”
To this, Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent Katie explained: “They’re going to have to make a decision quite soon about which school Prince George will go to because Lambrook, which is the school all three children are at, in Barkshire, is a pre-prep.
“Over here in the UK, there is a natural progression that you go at 13 to your next school and in the case of William and Harry, that was Eton.”
Katie recognised the likelihood of George following in his father’s footsteps and going to Eton College – a 13 to 18 fee-charging and boarding secondary school for boys in Berkshire.
She added: “We know Harry didn’t have a particularly happy time there but William did.
“He loved Eton and he thrived at Eton and went on, of course, to St Andrew’s and did very well there.”
But she also identified the possibility of the young royal following in this mother’s footsteps and going to Marlborough – a public school for pupils aged 13 to 18 in Wiltshire.
The royal pro continued: “Catherine was a pupil at Marlborough, she’s always loved that idea of a co-ed school.
“And in fact, before the children were at Lambrook, they were at Thomas’s in Battersea, and that was co-ed.
“Kate’s own experience was going to school with her brother James and her sister Pippa.
“There’s always the option that they could go to Marlborough.
“I think it’s less the boarding element, because Kate boarded and loved it, William boarded and loved it, and I think they think that’s part of the making of their children becoming young adults.”
I think it’s a great shame that our future head of State doesn’t actually go to a state school
Richard Palmer
Katie acknowledged the Waleses’ desire to shake things up, as she claimed: “I think the big question is, is it going to be Eton and following in tradition and obviously George going to an all boys’ school, or will they break the tradition and go to a co-ed?
“I don’t think they’re at logger heads and I’m not dressing this up as a row, but it’s a big decision they’ve got to make.
“They’ve been around to see the schools and I guess at some point we will know what they’ve chosen to do.”
As a result of Kate’s cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment, it appears that this year, more so than ever before, for the Waleses, there’s been a big emphasis on family time.
Despite this, Katie shared: “I think [Kate and George] are hugely close but as I say, they both had such brilliant experiences at boarding school, I think it will almost be second nature to them that that will happen.
“I mean I think there’s no doubt that it will be a boarding school.”
To which Richard Palmer chimed in: “Personally, I think it’s a great shame that our future head of State doesn’t actually go to a state school.
“And I think it would be fantastic if that were to happen.
Maybe he’ll have a term at a state school, maybe Eton or wherever he goes has got a scheme swapping with a state school
Richard Palmer
“I think Katie’s right, it’s second nature for people of their social background to send their kids away, clearly if George is at Eton they’re just around the corner, but I think what tends to happen is that the kids themselves don’t want to be going from home every day because they’re not then really at the heart of the school community.
“You want to be a boarder, so I’m guessing all of the kids will end up boarding, even if they go to schools very close.”
However, Bronte then recognised: “[There are] conversations though about the possibility of there being something different for George than has been for previous heirs, do you think we will see his path deviate in other ways?
“Because Kate and William seem to be wanting to at least explore possibilities of doing things differently?”
I think because William had such a wonderful time at Eton, I think that’s probably where he will end up
Katie Nicholl
To this, Richard agreed and confirmed: “Yes maybe, and maybe he’ll have a term at a state school, maybe Eton or wherever he goes has got a scheme swapping with a state school.
“It’s up to them. Every parent should have a choice of what school they send their kids to. Clearly they’re not going to be too worried about the extra 20% VAT on school fees.”
Katie then recognised Kate and Wills’ traditionalist nature, as she highlighted: “I think they’re quite traditionalist in that respect. George plays polo, he’s learning to fly helicopters, he’s very like his father in that respect.
“I think because William had such a wonderful time at Eton, I think that’s probably where he will end up.
“If George does end up at Eton, he’s not going to be far from his mum and dad, he’s not going to be far from the King, and it is almost a right of passage in that world.
“I think the greatest breaking of mould would not be a state school, as much as I would also love that to happen Richard, I don’t think it will, but I think if it was Marlborough, that would be a breaking of the mould and would of course enable them to be together, the three children.
“I wonder if that’s where the compromise will be. I guess we will find out soon enough.”
