Prince George’s potential next school headteacher sends warning
Prince George is still living a largely school-focused life, but a major decision is approaching: where the future king will continue his education after Lambrook School. With George turning 12 in July and having about one year left at Lambrook before graduating, public attention has intensified around the shortlist of elite schools his family is reportedly considering.
Key facts at a glance
- Prince George is 11 and will turn 12 in July.
- He has around one year left at Lambrook School.
- Eton College has been widely discussed after a 2023 visit with Prince William and Princess Kate.
- Highgate School in London has also emerged as a possibility after Kate was reportedly seen touring it.
- Highgate’s headteacher has publicly emphasized screen-free time and signaled openness to phone restrictions for pupils.
The looming “next school” decision for the future king
As the eldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince George is expected to become king one day. While that remains far in the future, the planning around his education is already under close scrutiny because it can signal how William and Kate balance royal tradition with their stated goal of giving their children a more “normal” childhood.
Although no final decision has been confirmed, George and his parents have reportedly been scouting options—and the debate has narrowed around two very different styles of schooling: a traditional boarding route such as Eton, or a prestigious day-school alternative in London.
Eton College: tradition, prestige, and a long lead time
One of the most discussed options is Eton College, the historic boarding school attended by both Prince William and Prince Harry.
Important details driving the conversation include:
- In 2023, George was reportedly seen visiting Eton with his parents.
- Eton’s tuition is reported at around £46,000 (about $59,000) per year.
- Even though George would not join until age 13, the school’s process reportedly requires children to be registered in the year they turn 10.
This combination of tradition and early planning requirements is part of why Eton keeps returning to the center of public speculation.
“Normal childhood” vs. boarding school: the public debate
Former BBC royal expert Jennie Bond has argued that the school choice could reveal a great deal about William and Catherine’s approach to parenting and royal modernization.
She suggested that, given how hands-on they have appeared as parents, it could be emotionally difficult to send their children away to boarding school—while also acknowledging that William and Kate may view boarding school positively because it is what they themselves experienced.
One key idea from Bond’s remarks is the notion that it may be “all or nothing”—meaning the family could decide that all three children go away to school, or none do, to keep their upbringing consistent.
Reports of disagreement: Kate’s concerns about Eton
Some reporting has suggested that the decision is also personally challenging for Kate.
Concerns attributed to Kate include:
- Emotional reluctance about boarding school, despite royal tradition.
- Reported worry stemming from her own earlier school experiences, including claims she was badly bullied at her first boarding school.
- A fear that George could face similar difficulties and that she would miss him deeply.
Other claims suggest Kate believes sending George to a “stuffy” institution could clash with efforts to modernize the monarchy, even if Eton is geographically close enough to allow weekend family time.
Highgate School enters the spotlight
While Eton represents continuity with royal precedent, Highgate School has emerged as a compelling alternative—particularly after reports that Kate toured Highgate after Christmas, fueling speculation it could be a serious contender.
What’s notable about Highgate:
- Founded about 460 years ago
- A co-educational day school
- Serves pupils aged 4 to 18
- Reported annual fees for secondary students: £31,575, plus compulsory lunch fees, totaling £32,640
During Kate’s reported visit, she was said to have spent meaningful time with staff—especially around the drama department, asking about:
- the drama curriculum
- extracurricular activities
- opportunities for students to perform in school plays
That focus has stood out, given George’s age and the broader interest in how the children’s personalities and interests may shape family choices.
A new twist: Highgate headteacher’s warning on screens and phones
Highgate’s headteacher, Adam Pettitt (who has led the school since 2006), has added an unexpected dimension to the story by publicly emphasizing the importance of screen-free “quality time” for children.
He has also indicated openness to banning or limiting mobile phone use for pupils. This aligns with a broader movement among some London secondary schools pushing for stronger restrictions—reportedly advocating limits so pupils do not use phones and similar devices until Year 10, when students are typically 14 or 15.
At Highgate specifically, Pettitt has said the school’s phone ban has helped bring back in-person conversation in student spaces. His core message to parents is that limiting screens is only part of the solution—adults should actively provide meaningful alternatives, including play, shared activities, and protected time away from devices.
What this could signal about William and Kate’s future approach
If George ultimately attends a London day school such as Highgate, observers may interpret that as:
- a stronger preference for daily family contact
- a more modern, less traditional schooling choice
- a desire to keep the children grounded while still receiving elite education
If the choice returns to Eton, it may instead signal:
- a continued emphasis on royal tradition
- confidence in the boarding-school model William experienced
- a belief that George will benefit from a highly structured, historically royal-aligned path
For now, the decision remains unconfirmed—but the combination of intense public interest, competing values, and now screen-time policy debates has made Prince George’s next-school question one of the most closely watched royal family choices in years.
