While attending Eton, William and Harry had round-the-clock police protection while the palace negotiated an agreement with the press that the boys would be left alone to enjoy their schooling. William was allowed to walk around the surrounding town, enjoying his freedom, and often walked across the bridge to Windsor Castle to see his grandparents.
According to Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty magazine, security will be paramount when it comes to making the final decision about where George goes to school.
“I expect we will be told later on in the summer at the very last minute, when the security detail has been organized, but clearly it’s an important consideration. It will require two protection officers taking it in turns to look after George while he’s at school,” she said.
Seward added that she has heard that Eton was not necessarily William and Kate’s first choice.
“William loved Eton and did well academically, but I don’t think we should assume George will follow suit. For a start, we are seeing William doing things differently. He is mindful of costs and appearances when it comes to his family and the future,” she explained. “I’m told William has voiced concerns about how it will look for George to be at such an elitist and expensive school. Eton is very different today to when William was there. It’s still very good academically, but it’s very monied and doesn’t have the same cachet it once had. The people who used to be able to afford the fees, i.e. the British aristocracy, now can’t afford it anymore.”
Furthermore, the storied school could present a security issue because of its “town and gown” policy, Seward says. “Pupils walk through the town in their uniform, and I would imagine that’s a consideration for them when choosing a school.”
As well as security, a coeducational school is said to be favored by Princess Kate, who left the all-girls Downe House School for Marlborough, after a miserable first year when she was bullied at Downe House, as former classmates have alleged. (Downe House’s former headmistress denied that Kate had been bullied.)
Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour during Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee on June 02, 2022 in London, England.
Karwai Tang
