For the Prince and Princess of Wales’s eldest son Prince George, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of big changes as the second-in-line to the throne celebrates a landmark birthday
08:00, 28 Dec 2025Updated 08:43, 28 Dec 2025
Prince George at Wimbledon in July (Image: Visionhaus via Getty Images)
He’s been growing up away from the spotlight, only joining his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales for the most important of royal events. But 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for future King Prince George – with a seismic change ahead. Not only will Prince William and Kate’s eldest son enter secondary school next September, his next birthday in July will see him officially turn a teenager when he hits 13. It comes as the second-in-line to the throne appears to be ever so slowly and gently being introduced more and more to his royal life ahead of him.
He currently attends Lambrook school with his younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, with his parents dropping sweet snippets about his life when out and about on royal duties such his love of planes and Airfix models and joining dad William at Aston Villa matches.
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George on an engagement with his parents to mark VE Day(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
But speculation is ramping up as to where George will continue his schooling in September once he turns 13. So far, William and Kate have kept their cards close to their chest as to which school he will attend, with top picks believed to include his father’s former school Eton and the school his mum went to, Marlborough College.
Previously, George and his parents had been spotted visiting Eton College, while Marlborough College is considered one of the UK’s top boarding schools, catering for both boys and girls. But wherever he ends up continuing his education, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells the Mirror that she is sure George will have had a say in his next move.
She said: “When William was 13, he began his secondary education at Eton College. I remember standing a few yards away from him as he was welcomed by his housemaster, Dr Andrew Gailey – who became an important figure in the young Prince’s life. Both his parents were at his side but, by then, they were officially separated.
George with mum Kate at the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall (Image: PA)
“William and his brother had witnessed the painful breakup of the marriage over many years. So, in a way, being at boarding school became a haven for William. Things are very different for George, who has been brought up in a household full of love and harmony.
“So it might be tougher for him to suddenly find himself living away at boarding school – if that is, indeed, the decision his parents have made. But I’m sure it will have been a family decision – and not one simply imposed on the young prince.”
But when it comes to George, it seems that William and Kate are not only faced with a big decision with his schooling – but also with another dilemma that also faces parents up and down the country.
Earlier this year, William revealed that none of his children have been allowed smartphones but later admitted the stance had become a struggle with his oldest son. He told Luciano Huck in an interview for Brazilian TV: “When George moves on to secondary school, maybe he’ll have one with limited access.
George in his 12th birthday portrait(Image: INSTAGRAM)
George with his younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
“It’s getting to the point where it is becoming a bit of a tense issue. But I think he understands why, we communicate why we don’t think it’s right.” And Jennie added: “I imagine a big question for George will be: is this the year he’s finally allowed smartphone? We know there are some tensions between George and his parents over this thorny issue.
“My money is on him not being allowed a smartphone for a few years yet, but this may be the time for him to be allowed a brick phone – so he can at least keep in touch with his family and friends, like so many young people of his age.” When it comes to public appearances, they are still few and far between, but the last 12 months has seen him make two of his most high-profile outings to date.
In May, he joined his parents in chatting to Second World War heroes at a Buckingham Palace tea party on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. He won praise as he listened intently to their important stories and asked questions about their experiences. Then just last month, he joined mum Kate at the annual Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall to pay his respects to the nation’s war dead.
George and William together at The Passage earlier this month
George shuffled a little in his seat between musical performances and watched intently as emotional videos of veterans speaking about their experiences and paying tribute to their lost friends and comrades played.
Meanwhile, just earlier this month, George joined his father to don an apron and help with Christmas lunch preparations at a shelter for the homeless. The father and son wore The Passage charity’s aprons as William poured Brussels sprouts onto an oven dish and George laid Yorkshire puddings out onto a tray ahead of cooking.
Visiting the shelter in Victoria, central London, at Christmas time has become something of a tradition for the Prince of Wales, who helped out in 2023 and 2024. He first visited the charity with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, when he was 11 and brought his 12-year-old son along to follow in his footsteps.
It’s led many to hope that with the young prince growing up fast, more high-profile royal engagements might be on the cards. However, Wiliam and Kate are known to be very protective of all of their children – and keen to give them as normal an upbringing as possible.
And with this in mind, Jennie added: “However, I don’t think it’s one that will bring any major increase in his public appearances. This is a time for him to get used to his new circumstances, to knuckle down and start studying for important exams and to enjoy his school life. So I think his parents will continue to protect him for as long as possible from the public glare that lies ahead.”
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