Despite whisperings that Prince George, 12, would go to Eton College in the fall like his dad Prince William and his uncle Prince Harry, royal insiders are now speculating that is not the case. The preteen may actually be looking at other secondary schools instead according to a new source.
Instead of Eton, Prince George may go to his mom Kate Middleton’s alma mater, Marlborough. “While Eton would be the obvious choice because it is on their doorstep and where William went, they are leaning towards other schools,” a source told Vanity Fair. “I’m hearing Marlborough is the front-runner.”
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The insider went on to say that George is expected to go to a boarding school, as it will help him develop independence, although they don’t think the decision has been officially made just yet.
“I genuinely don’t think they’ve one hundred percent decided, but there is talk among the Marlborough set that they’ve allocated a house for George and that security has been a big issue,” the source added.
SANDRINGHAM, NORFOLK – DECEMBER 25: Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2025 in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Security does seem to be a big concern. In December, a palace security source told OK Magazine that Prince William and Middleton have amped up security around Geroge over potential assassination and kidnapping threats. “The alert over George’s safety is real and it’s serious,” they told the outlet. “Threat monitoring spiked the moment discussions about George’s next school began circulating. That’s why the family is determined to keep the location under wraps.”
Security concerns aren’t the only things holding the Wales back from Eton. Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty magazine, speculates that Prince William is worried about the optics of George attending Eton.
She told VF, “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.”
“I’m told William has voiced concerns about how it will look for George to be at such an elitist and expensive school,” Seward added.
Plus, if George attends the co-ed Marlborough, then eventually his siblings Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, can join him there as well. VF’s source said, “Kate had a great time at Marlborough and it ticks all the boxes. I think if they can, they would love for all three children to be at school together, which puts Marlborough as the top choice.”
No matter what school they choose, we likely won’t find out until September. Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good School Guide, told Hello! in November, “If the Wales family runs true to form, they will announce Prince George’s secondary school at the eleventh hour, possibly as late as September 2026.”
“They understand that the school itself, as well as George’s new peer group, will fall under intense scrutiny as soon as it is revealed and will probably want to minimize this, allowing the young royal to transition to his new school with as little fanfare as possible,” she added.
Before you go, check out all the times Prince George showed he’ll be a great king one day.