Prince George, the firstborn son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is set to transition to secondary school in September 2026. Currently attending Lambrook School in Berkshire with his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, George’s next educational step is attracting considerable interest. The two leading contenders for his new school are Eton College, an all-boys institution in Windsor that counts both Prince William and Prince Harry among its alumni, and Marlborough College, a co-educational school in Berkshire that the Princess of Wales attended.
The decision regarding which school George will attend remains pending. Sources indicate that once the decision is made, an official announcement is likely to be postponed. According to Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide, the Wales family typically reveals such information at the last moment. Sanderson stated, “If the Wales family runs true to form, they will announce Prince George’s secondary school at the eleventh hour, possibly as late as September 2026.”
The rationale behind this delay is to allow the young royal to transition into his new school life with minimal public scrutiny. Sanderson highlighted that both the school and George’s future peer group will come under intense observation upon announcement. This approach aims to reduce pressure on the family and provide a smoother adjustment for George.
As for the school choice, Sanderson believes Eton is the more probable option. She described Eton as “traditional, radical, expectation-busting and packed with confident boys with nary a hint of entitlement.” These characteristics resonate with the values that are deemed important to the current royal generation.
Looking at the Wales family’s history with school announcements, it is evident that they prefer to keep such matters private until the last minute. When moving from London to Windsor in 2022, they announced that George, Charlotte, and Louis would attend Lambrook School just two weeks before the academic term began. A palace statement at the time expressed gratitude towards Thomas’s Battersea, where George and Charlotte had begun their education in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
In a similar vein, when George started nursery at Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk, the news was shared only in December 2015, a month before he commenced in January 2016. This school was conveniently located near their home at Anmer Hall, which continues to serve as a holiday retreat for the family.
Historical context regarding school transitions in the royal family highlights a pattern of late announcements. For instance, when William prepared to attend Eton College in 1995, his parents, Charles and Diana, disclosed the move in June, just three months before the start date. Conversely, the announcement concerning George’s attendance at Thomas’s Battersea was made earlier, in March 2017, six months before he began Reception, resulting in significant public interest and media coverage.
As Prince George approaches this important milestone, the Wales family appears to prioritize a low-profile transition, mindful of the scrutiny that often accompanies royal announcements. With the decision still pending and the timeline set for September 2026, many will be watching closely for the eventual announcement regarding the young prince’s educational future.
