Prince George Marks Major Milestone as He Begins His Next Chapter as a Student at Eton College
Prince George Marks Major Milestone as He Begins His Next Chapter as a Student at Eton College
Rachel BurchfieldTue, September 8, 2026 at 11:49 AM UTC
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Princess Kate, Prince George, and Prince William on George’s first day at Eton.Credit: GettyThe Gist -
Prince George had a milestone day on September8—his first day at Eton College, which marks a new chapter for the future king.
George, 13, follows in the footsteps of his father Prince William, his uncle Prince Harry, and 20 U.K. prime ministers, all of whom attended the prestigious all-boys school.
George will board at Eton just like the other first-year students, but fortunately Eton is near Forest Lodge, where the Wales family call home.
Today marks a milestone day in Prince George’s life—his first day at Eton College, and the beginning of a new chapter for the future king.
Princess Kate, Prince George, and Prince William on September 8, 2026.Credit: Getty
On September 8,the 13-year-old son of Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived at the prestigious all-boys’ boarding school, braving the rain as George was welcomed to Eton by headmaster Simon Henderson and provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge. “Welcome,” Henderson said as he greeted George. “Good luck. Enjoy it.”
Prince William and Prince George greeting Eton headmaster Simon Henderson and provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge.Credit: Getty
George wore a dark blazer and chinos, a navy tie, a light blue shirt, and brown suede shoes for the milestone moment, matching with his father William. Kate, who held an umbrella to avoid the rain, wore a bottle green mididress by Emilia Wickstead that she previously wore in 2023 to meet with Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria. As the Prince and Princess of Wales and George walked, Kate put a protective arm on her eldest son’s back. The trio chatted warmly, with George laughing as William struggled with his umbrella.
Princess Kate, Prince George, and Prince William braving the rain.Credit: Getty
The Prince of Wales is an alum of Eton, and on his own first day at school there in 1995, he was photographed with his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and younger brother Prince Harry, who would eventually attend Eton himself.
Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Kate on April 5, 2026.Credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
“William’s experience at Eton was a happy one, but both he and Catherine realize their children’s school lives may be considerably different in today’s world,” royal biographer Russell Myers told The Telegraph. Myers added that choosing Eton for George was a family decision. “If it didn’t work for him, it didn’t work for the family,” he said. “This shows how connected they are, and how George and his siblings have been prepared for whatever may lie ahead.”
In addition to being familiar territory as William’s alma mater, the $ 80,000-a-year school is also known for educating leaders—20 U.K. prime ministers have attended the boarding school. It is also near the Wales family home, Forest Lodge, in Windsor, and Melanie Sanderson, the managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, told The Telegraph that George will be “really well prepared” for Eton, noting that all new starters are “tiny fish in a big pond”—even George. The teenage future king will join around 1,345 boys at the school, which offers 25 different sports and 350 acres of playing fields—data that is said to have appealed to his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles on William’s first day at Eton in September 1995.Credit: Getty
Prince William signing in on his first day at Eton College on September 6, 1995.Credit: Getty
William “talks to this day about how formative it [Eton] was for him,” a source said. “He made his lifelong friends there.” One contemporary of William at Eton told The Telegraph, “We weren’t in awe of William, and I don’t think he would have wanted us to be.”
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William attended Eton from 1995 to 2000—which included the incredibly difficult period surrounding his mother Diana’s death in 1997. “Eton was a much-needed haven for William,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People. “It will give George a rigorous education that he will need for his role.” George, she added, “will benefit from a group of friends who will remain close and loyal.”
Prince William on his first day of school at Eton College in September 1995.Credit: Getty
Though Eton seems like an obvious choice, it certainly wasn’t a shoo-in. “Both William and Catherine carried out a lot of research to make the right decision,” Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson told People. She added, “William loved his time at Eton, but he would have thought about what school would be the best for George’s strengths, qualities, and personality.”
Friends of the family told The Telegraph that George is “incredibly down to earth,” while also “aware of his future.” William and George are close, and a source close to the family told People that, when it came to choosing Eton, “George has always wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps.”
“No Photography” signs have been erected on Eton’s gates ahead of George’s arrival. And, though he is the future king, Vanity Fair reported that the teenager received “no special treatment” when it came to being admitted to the school, including having to take the school’s entrance exam before being offered a spot.
Eton College, as seen on Prince William’s first day there in September 1995.Credit: Getty
Prince George at Trooping the Colour on June 13, 2026.Credit: Getty
“Catherine and William are so pleased George is going to Eton, and George is over the moon,” a source told Vanity Fair. “He has been to see the school more than once and loved it. He was very chuffed to be offered a place and is excited about getting fitted for a new uniform. William and Catherine love the fact that George won’t be too far from home but can also be a boarder and fully immerse himself in school life.”
Royal correspondent Charlotte Griffiths noted to the outlet that “William and George are very close, and William will be making sure George is well-prepared. They will hunker down and spend the summer together in Norfolk before the big move to Eton. It’s an exciting time for them all.”
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