Prince George is set to begin at Eton College in September, following the same route his father Prince William took 30 years earlier. But the story behind that royal school tradition starts with Princess Diana. According to People Magazine, author Simon Vigar says William’s move to Eton was “very much a Diana decision.” That choice broke with a pattern in the British royal family, where senior male royals including King Charles and Prince Philip had gone to Gordonstoun in Scotland instead.
Princess Diana Broke a Royal School Tradition
Princess Diana pushed for a different path when Prince William reached secondary school age. “Her brother and father went there, and of course, it was much closer to home than Gordonstoun, where Charles wasn’t happy anyway,” said Simon Vigar according to People Magazine. Eton’s location near Windsor also made it a practical option for a young prince growing up under intense public attention. In that sense, Diana’s preference was not only personal. It also reflected a more modern and protective approach to royal parenting.
Prince William Started at Eton in 1995
When William arrived at Eton in September 1995, both of his parents were there despite their separation three years earlier. Prince Harry also joined the first-day proceedings, including the signing of the traditional Entrance Book. The moment marked a major shift for the monarchy, with the future king entering a school outside the usual royal pattern. William later spent important teenage years there, and the college became closely tied to a formative period in his life after Diana’s death in 1997.
Prince George Follows His Father’s Route
Now Prince George, 13, is preparing to take the same step. The occasion links three generations of the royal family in a different way, since George is following a path first opened by his grandmother’s judgment. As reported by People Magazine, Vigar said Eton “ticked so many boxes for William and Catherine,” after Prince William and Princess Kate considered several options. A source close to the family also said George had long wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, making the choice feel both practical and deeply personal.
Eton Still Fits the Modern Royal Family
Founded in 1440, Eton remains one of Britain’s most prominent schools and has educated 20 prime ministers. For the Wales family, its appeal appears to go beyond history alone. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith said, “Yes, Eton stands for tradition, but it has moved with the times and now has a more diverse student body than it had — even in William’s day.” She added that its academic strength and leadership focus likely helped make it the right fit for George’s next stage.
