Prince George is set to begin at Eton College this September, following Prince William and Prince Harry to the historic boarding school. The move places the future king inside one of Britain’s most tradition-heavy royal institutions. According to People, Kensington Palace confirmed that William and Kate made the decision after extensive research, with George also eager to follow his father’s path. But before lessons fully begin, the 12-year-old will step into a world of rituals, old-school language and a first-day challenge many outside Eton have never heard of.
Prince George Must Take the Colours Test
One of George’s earliest tasks will be the “colours test,” a quiz on the official colours of Eton’s 25 boarding houses and the locations of key school buildings. It is a long-standing part of settling in at the college. Writer and Eton alumnus Hugo Vickers once described how quickly it arrives: "Hardly had you arrived than you faced a colour test. You had to learn all the house colours and various archaic Eton names for a test by 'the library,'" said Hugo Vickers according to People. The test is one of the first signs that Eton expects boys to absorb its traditions fast.
Eton’s 25 Houses Shape Daily Life
Life at the school is built around its 25 boarding houses, each with about 55 pupils spread across year groups. Students have their own rooms, and house identity carries real weight from the start. George is expected to join Manor House, the same house where William and Harry stayed. The school says its houses are centered on kindness, empathy, honesty and respect, while older boys help welcome new arrivals. That structure is meant to give first-year pupils a sense of belonging as they adjust to boarding life and the demands of the college.
Prince George Will Need to Learn Eton Jargon
The rules are not limited to academics and boarding routines. George will also need to pick up Eton’s distinctive vocabulary. A reprimand for poor work is called “rips,” while teachers are called “beaks.” Turning up late means a student’s name goes into the “Tardy Book.” Breaking school rules can land a boy on “the Bill,” which means being called in to answer for his behavior before senior staff. The language may sound old-fashioned, but it remains part of how the school runs and how new pupils learn its culture.
The Uniform Carries Its Own Rank System
Dress code is another major part of daily life. Eton’s uniform, often called “school dress” or “tails,” includes a black tailcoat, waistcoat, pinstriped trousers and a stiff white collar. Rank and achievement are reflected in what boys wear. Senior pupils use winged collars called “stick-ups” with bow ties, while others wear the standard Eton collar. Boys who pass the King’s Scholarship exam add a black academic gown. When George arrives, public interest will likely be high, much as it was when photographers documented William’s first day at the college in 1995.
