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Royal children's school transitions spark speculation amid parental indecision

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Key Points
  • Prince George will start secondary school in September, while Princess Charlotte needs a new school at age 13.
  • Eton College is a leading contender for George due to family ties and proximity, but Marlborough and Wellington are also in consideration.
  • School choices involve factors like security, tradition, co-education, and fees, with parental indecision delaying final decisions.

Prince George is in his final year at Lambrook prep school and will be starting secondary school in September. Princess Charlotte is currently a student at Lambrook School in Berkshire, which only caters for students up to the age of 13. The Prince and Princess of Wales have been plagued by indecision about their choice of school for Prince George, adding to the public anticipation surrounding these high-profile placements.

Eton College is widely considered the front-runner for Prince George's secondary education, with multiple reports indicating he is expected to attend the institution. The school is the alma mater of Prince William and is conveniently near the family home in Windsor. According to Daily Mail - Home, an unnamed source described a sense of exclusivity after William and Kate visited Eton, reinforcing the perception of Eton as a leading contender. This perception is further bolstered by reports of smugness emanating from Eton about a forthcoming announcement, suggesting confidence within the school community.

I've been told Wellington is a possible school for Princess Charlotte.

Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide

Eton College charges fees of more than £63,000 a year, reflecting its elite status. The school is tightening its security ahead of a potential new arrival, indicating preparations for heightened attention. Headmaster Simon Henderson was absent from his post for unspecified reasons, adding an element of uncertainty to the school's current administration during this critical period.

Marlborough College presents a viable alternative for Prince George, with William and Kate spotted looking around the institution. The school is a co-educational institution with fees of £60,000 a year. Kate attended Marlborough College after leaving Downe House due to bullying, giving her personal familiarity with the school's environment and ethos, which could influence the decision-making process.

I suspect with the royals that normal rules possibly don't apply. I feel as though they may be holding multiple places at different schools.

Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide

Princess Charlotte's current schooling at Lambrook School in Berkshire will necessitate a transition when she reaches age 13, as the school only caters for students up to that age. Her future placement is closely watched, with potential implications for her younger brother, Prince Louis. According to Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide, if Charlotte attends a co-educational school, it might be logical for Louis to join her, highlighting the interconnected nature of these educational choices within the royal family.

Wellington College is a possible school for Princess Charlotte, offering another co-educational option. Located a short distance from the Wales family home at Forest Lodge on the Windsor Estate, it provides geographical convenience for daily commutes. The school's co-educational structure aligns with modern educational trends, potentially appealing to the Wales family's preferences for a balanced learning environment.

If Charlotte is going to a co-ed, it might be that they would want her to be joined by her brother Louis. Logistically, that would work for them really, really well.

Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide

Wellington College fees are £15,250 per term for day pupils and £20,750 for boarders, making it a financially distinct option compared to other contenders. According to Melanie Sanderson, with the royals, normal rules possibly don't apply, and they may be holding multiple places at different schools, suggesting a strategic approach to securing spots amid the ongoing indecision.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have been plagued by indecision about their choice of school for Prince George, reflecting the complexity of balancing tradition, security, and educational philosophy. According to Melanie Sanderson, she has been told Wellington is a possible school for Princess Charlotte, indicating that multiple institutions remain under consideration as the family weighs their options.

It's 15 to 20 minutes straight down the M4 from Windsor Castle. With security, maybe ten minutes. It's a nice, easy journey.

Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide

Reactions to the speculation include a sense of smugness emanating from Eton about a forthcoming announcement, as reported by sources. According to Daily Mail - Home, an unnamed source described shock at seeing Kate and William arriving at Eton in a smart car and walking through court, underscoring the public and media fascination with every detail of the royal family's school visits.

Implications of the school choices extend to security considerations, with Eton College tightening its security ahead of a potential new arrival. Tradition plays a significant role, given Eton's historical ties to the royal family through Prince William's attendance, but co-education is also a key factor, with Marlborough College and Wellington College both being co-educational institutions that offer mixed-gender learning environments.

It was like, 'I know something and the people at Eton know something, but I'm not going to tell you'. That was after William and Kate visited Eton.

Unnamed source, Insider

Key unknowns persist, including which secondary school Prince George will attend in September and which school Princess Charlotte will attend when she turns 13. The specific reasons for Eton College headmaster Simon Henderson's absence and the exact announcement date for the royal children's school placements remain undisclosed, leaving room for continued speculation and analysis.

They were shocked to see Kate and William getting out of a very smart car and walking through court.

Unnamed source, Source
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