As number three in the line of succession to the British throne – after grandfather Charles and father William – there are great expectations of Prince George even at primary school age. But his parents would like him to be able to grow up as normally as possible. Now George is nine years old – and will soon begin a new chapter.
It will be a long time before he sits on the British throne. The “Times” has calculated that it could easily be up to 2072 or even longer before Prince George is crowned – his father William would then have reached his 90th birthday. Will the monarchy as we know it survive until then? Wait. Nevertheless, big changes are already in store for little George, who celebrates his ninth birthday on July 22nd.
The impending move of his family from London to Windsor, around 40 kilometers away, should mean a change of school for George – as well as for his sister Charlotte. So far, both go to school in the London district of Battersea. The eldest son of Prince William and Duchess Kate is said to have completed trial days at other schools. There has long been speculation as to whether the family will send George to Eton after he finishes primary school – the legendary, elite school in Windsor, which Prince William also attended.
“It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise,” says Bangor University monarchy expert Craig Prescott. “Since the royals have been attending boarding schools, there has been a pattern of fathers sending their sons where they went themselves.” For example, Prince Charles, like his father Philip, attended the Scottish boarding school Gordonstoun. One advantage of schools like Eton is that they have experience with royals and students from similar backgrounds, Prescott explains. “I would expect George to be treated just like any other boy there.” The school is also close to the putative new home of the Cambridge family, who are orienting themselves towards Windsor in order to be closer to the Queen and have more freedom than in London.
“I’m not sure sending George to a boys’ school […] that’s so closely associated with privilege, money and dubious politicians is a viable idea. Imagine the headlines,” she comments “Telegraph” author Sophia Money-Coutts. According to the “Express”, Duchess Kate is also said to have toyed with the idea of sending George to her old school instead – Marlborough College. However, this would be significantly further away from Windsor.
Regardless of which school it is, expert Prescott does not expect that the current third in line to the British throne will be much more in the public eye in the near future. “Both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have made it clear that they want their children to have as ‘normal’ childhoods as possible.”
Therefore, his public appearances would probably continue to be limited to individual, special occasions – such as Christmas in Sandringham or the annual “Trooping the Color” parade in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.
This year – marking the Queen’s 70th jubilee – the siblings drew a lot of attention when they rode in a carriage with Kate and Duchess Camilla to the parade and waved to the crowd. George, who, like his father, is said to be very enthusiastic about sports, accompanied his parents to Wimbledon shortly afterwards.
Attentive observers already pointed out last year how – at least with regard to the wardrobe – little Prince George is gradually becoming a big boy and future king: the short shorts – worn by the offspring of the British upper class in almost all weathers – are worn at slowly exchanged for long suit trousers at official appearances.
“This transition is part of a special dress code that young British princes have followed for centuries,” the online magazine Bustle noted at the time.