Prince George has begun a significant new chapter as he arrived at Eton College with the Prince and Princess of Wales for his first day at the prestigious school.
Prince George Begins Life at Eton
The 13-year-old prince appeared composed as he walked through Eton’s historic School Yard alongside Prince William and Catherine, despite the heavy rain that greeted the family.
George, who is second in line to the British throne, wore a smart shirt and tie with a dark blazer, chinos and brown suede shoes.
A newly released portrait showed him standing confidently in his new school attire as he prepared to begin his senior education.
The occasion offered a rare glimpse of the future king at a milestone that his parents are keen to keep largely private.
A Proud Welcome From His Parents
William and Catherine accompanied their eldest son across the cobbled quadrangle before meeting Eton headmaster Simon Henderson and provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge.
William, dressed in a dark suit, was the first to greet the school officials before George exchanged handshakes with them. Catherine, wearing an elegant flowing green dress and heels, followed shortly afterwards while carrying a large umbrella.
Henderson warmly welcomed the young prince, telling him: “George, welcome, good luck, enjoy.”
The family exchanged smiles and brief pleasantries before being invited inside to escape the rain.
Catherine was seen placing a reassuring arm around George’s back as they entered the building.
George Steps Into Eton’s Historic World
The family was taken through the fourth-form passage in Eton’s original school building, an area understood to contain what is regarded as the world’s oldest classroom.
The School Yard itself is among the oldest parts of the college and stands alongside College Chapel, where pupils attend services several times each week.
Founded by Henry VI in 1440, Eton was originally established to provide free education for 70 boys from poorer backgrounds before they progressed to King’s College, Cambridge.
The institution has since developed into one of Britain’s most famous independent schools, educating generations of politicians, writers, actors, aristocrats and members of the Royal Family.
A School With Deep Royal Connections
George’s arrival carries particular significance because his father attended Eton himself.
William began his studies there in 1995, when his first day was photographed by a much larger gathering of international media.
He later spoke warmly about his time at the school, recalling that he enjoyed being treated as “just another student” and even admitted that he had always liked the distinctive uniform.
His younger brother, Prince Harry, also attended Eton from 1998 until 2003.
William’s own positive memories appear to have contributed to the school’s appeal for George, although the decision was not made solely on royal tradition.
Why Eton Won The Family Over
Eton was reportedly a leading option for George’s senior education, but William and Catherine also considered other boarding schools, including Oundle in Northamptonshire and Marlborough College, where Catherine herself was educated.
Ultimately, Eton offered several advantages.
Its location close to the Wales family’s home in Windsor was particularly attractive, while the college’s experience of educating high-profile pupils also provided reassurance.
George’s own preference was another important consideration.
The prince is also expected to have several familiar faces around him, with some friends from Lambrook, the Berkshire school he attended alongside Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
A Childhood Away From The Cameras
The brief arrival was deliberately arranged before the rest of Eton’s new pupils arrived.
George’s photocall took place at around 11am, roughly half an hour before other Year 9 pupils, known at Eton as F Blockers, began arriving.
The arrangement was intended to give the public and media a glimpse of the historic occasion without exposing other children to unnecessary attention.
William and Catherine have made clear that they want George’s education to remain private.
Notices have reportedly been placed around Windsor asking members of the public not to photograph pupils as they travel around the extensive school campus.
The couple have previously expressed gratitude for the way the public and media have allowed all three of their children to enjoy their school years largely away from public scrutiny.
From Nursery School To Eton
George’s educational journey has taken him through a series of schools chosen by his parents with an emphasis on giving their children as normal an upbringing as possible.
He began at the Westacre Montessori nursery school near King’s Lynn while the family were living in Norfolk.
In 2017, George and Princess Charlotte moved to Thomas’s Battersea in London.
The family later relocated to Berkshire, where all three children attended Lambrook from 2022.
George has reportedly embraced outdoor pursuits and sport, with interests including triathlon and sailing.
He has also developed a strong fascination with aviation, an interest that may be influenced by his father’s background as a former search-and-rescue pilot.
Eton’s Famous Traditions
Although Eton has modernised in several respects, it remains strongly associated with centuries-old customs.
New pupils traditionally arrive in their own clothes before changing into the school’s famous uniform, which includes a black tailcoat, waistcoat and white shirt.
The college has 25 boarding houses, with pupils receiving their own rooms from their first day. Kensington Palace has chosen not to reveal the name of George’s house.
Eton also maintains its own terminology. Teachers are officially known as masters and are commonly referred to by pupils as “beaks”.
Its sporting and cultural reputation is equally strong, with facilities for football, rugby, music and drama alongside traditions such as the Eton wall game.
A Different Approach To Royal Education
George’s education at Eton represents another example of William and Catherine’s willingness to depart from some traditional approaches to royal schooling.
For centuries, monarchs and heirs to the throne were often educated by private tutors rather than attending school alongside other children.
William’s decision to attend Eton was itself a notable departure from that model.
The choice also gave him an opportunity to spend more time near his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle during his school years.
George’s parents have similarly sought to balance his unique future with the experience of an ordinary childhood, something that appears to have influenced their approach to his schooling.
The Cost Of A Prestigious Education
Eton remains one of Britain’s most expensive schools, with annual fees exceeding £65,000.
At the same time, the college continues to offer bursaries and scholarships.
Around one-fifth of pupils are reported to receive financial support, reflecting efforts to broaden access beyond the traditionally wealthy families associated with the institution.
The school has produced an extraordinary list of alumni, including former prime ministers, writers such as George Orwell and Ian Fleming, and actors including Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston and Damian Lewis.
George’s Next Five Years
For George, however, the focus will now be considerably more personal than his school’s illustrious history.
The hope of his parents is that Eton will provide him with several years in which he can study, participate in sport, make close friends and develop greater independence without constantly being reminded of his future role as king.
His arrival was therefore both a royal milestone and a familiar parental moment: a mother and father accompanying their teenage son into an unfamiliar environment and offering him support as he takes his first steps into a new stage of his education.
