As the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George’s future carries significant weight, not just for the monarchy, but for the young royal himself.

Prince George may be years away from ascending the throne, but the choices made about his education are already generating buzz and reportedly causing tension between his parents, Prince William and Princess Catherine, according to royal experts.

Insiders reveal the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are facing a deeply personal decision of selecting the right secondary school for their 11-year-old son.

British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard

divulged

, “The discussions have been circulating for years, with the Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly arguing and debating the decision for years. I’m surprised the bookies haven’t initiated a bet on which school Prince George will attend next autumn!”

While this might seem like a common parental dilemma, it carries additional significance for the family of a future monarch. And with such a high-profile background, the stakes are even higher for George and his parents, according to Chard.

Chard’s remarks followed reports from media houses indicating that the family

began searching

for

Prince George’s

next school earlier this year, with visits already made to several top institutions in and around London.

The Daily Mail reported that George recently

visited Eton College

ahead of the new school year, sparking widespread conversation among students and parents at the institution.

This tour has been vital as the prestigious institution was attended by both William and Prince Harry and has remained a favored option among royals and the elite.

The family has explored other potential schools as well, including Highgate School in north London, which reportedly drew Catherine’s interest due to its impressive drama program. However, the distance from Windsor makes it a less practical option.

The princess also recently accompanied George on a visit

to Marlborough College

, her former school in Wiltshire. Now, the reported disagreement between William and his wife over George’s next school appears to stem from their differing personal experiences and concerns.

Several members of the royal family, including King Charles III, Harry, and Catherine, have had challenging school years in the past. These experiences seem to have influenced Catherine’s desire to find an environment where George can thrive both

academically and socially

.

“Eton wasn’t suitable for Prince Harry. Even Princess Catherine was bullied at a secondary school. Therefore, she is committed to securing the perfect fit for Prince George. And let’s face it, the world is their oyster — they have the pick of all schools,”

shared

Chard.

As much as Catherine and William can settle for any school, their debate reportedly centers around two, Eton College and Marlborough College.

According to royal expert Ian Pelham Turner, William is said to favor Eton, the traditional all-boys institution, known for its long history of educating members of the aristocracy and political elite.

Strategically located near the family’s home, Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park, Eton offers both

prestige and security

, making it a seemingly logical choice in William’s eyes.

However, Chard notes that

Princess Catherine

is believed to be pushing for a different path, a co-educational environment, which she sees as more relaxed and nurturing.

“School days for Kate at times were not the happiest as she experienced bullying, so she leaned more towards a less conventional education for George than William,” Turner

emphasized

.

Marlborough College, which Catherine and her siblings attended, fits that mold and is known for being less rigid than Eton while still maintaining high academic standards.

Beyond the reputations of the schools, their differing views reflect broader concerns. For Catherine, George’s emotional well-being seems to take priority, while William values tradition and structure.

British royal expert Hilary Fordwich also believes Catherine wants a normal upbringing as possible for her son. “She was raised with strong family bonds and, therefore, prefers him to be at school with his siblings. She also would prefer Prince George to live at home versus a boarding school, a tradition for many generations of the royal family,”

noted

Fordwich.

With

four terms remaining

at Lambrook School, where George currently studies alongside his younger siblings, the decision about his next step continues to draw attention, especially as the couple balances their preferences and logistical considerations.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams

weighed in

on the matter, “The traditional choice would be Eton, a prestigious boys’ boarding school where the Dukes of Gloucester and Kent and Prince Michael of Kent were educated, as well as Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, and her father.”

Fitzwilliam also acknowledged that where George goes to school is expected to reflect how his parents envision the future of the monarchy.

Still, following tradition isn’t a strict requirement, especially considering that

Prince William

himself

broke with precedent

by enrolling at Eton instead of Gordonstoun.

Notably, when Charles attended Gordonstoun, he became the first Prince of Wales to receive

a formal school education

rather than being taught by private tutors. The school also holds the distinction of being the first senior institution to educate a British monarch.

As the family continues their search and discussions, whether the couple will find common ground or one parent’s vision will

ultimately prevail

remains to be seen.

Aside from discussions about his next school,

George also drew attention recently when social media users reacted to his appearance at a sports event alongside William.

The outing sparked online chatter, especially after the Prince of Wales mentioned the event during an interview.

On April 9, 2025, William brought George with him to the Quarter Final First Leg match of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League in Paris, France.

Although photos and a video showed how much fun the father and son had during the match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Aston Villa Football Club (FC), some netizens were convinced that William’s son looked bored and embarrassed.

Clad in matching Aston Villa scarves and surrounded by excited attendees, George and his father were captured in a series of striking images that painted a vivid picture of their time in Paris.

The photos revealed a vibrant father-son dynamic, William animated and fully immersed in the game, while George mirrored his excitement in key moments, his expressions ranging from focused anticipation to quiet amusement.

In one shot, the young royal cheered loudly alongside his father, clenching his fists with a grin as the crowd erupted in celebration. Another tender moment showed William turning to George mid-match, seemingly sharing a private word or observation, his demeanor brimming with paternal pride.

Adding to the warmth of the scene, a royal admirer posted a


slow-motion video


on social media, capturing an especially affectionate exchange. As Aston Villa scored, the Prince of Wales could be seen throwing his arms around both George and a fellow attendee, his face lit with pure elation.

The joyful clip also showed William leaning down to snuggle against his son’s cheek, followed by a gleeful bear hug that pulled the youngster close, both of them grinning from ear to ear. This presented a rare glimpse into the more playful, deeply human side of royal life.

Reflecting on the experience during a


casual interview


with football legends Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist, William opened up about what the event meant to him.


Jokingly asked


if he was on a “lads tour,” the royal quipped that his son’s presence kept him on his best behavior.

William also spoke candidly about the importance of the occasion, explaining that, as a years-long Villa supporter, moments like these had been a long time coming.

“It’s been 43 years since something like this happened during my generation […] and I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition,” he


noted


.

“I hope it’s not 43 years until the next time it happens but I think those memories are really important to create and bringing him along tonight is a big deal to me,” he


added



.

Despite the heartwarming display between father and son, online reactions to their appearance at the match were sharply divided. Some viewers zeroed in on George’s expressions throughout the event, interpreting his demeanor as one of disinterest or discomfort.

“He looks so bored,”

a netizen


remarked


, echoing a sentiment repeated across several platforms.

“He’s bored! Don’t want to be there,”



added


a fellow spectator.

One viewer offered a more empathetic take,


writing


,

“I feel bad for this kid. Maybe the camera just caught him in a somber moment but he looks dissociated and unhappy. I hope there’s other moments where he’s laughing and having a good time despite having to dress business casual at the age of 11 [sic].”

Another


weighed in with levity


,

“Haha. Poor George looks so embarrassed 🤣🤣.”

Someone else


echoed a similar sentiment


, comparing George’s embarrassment to how a child tends to feel when their mom kisses them at school after dropping them off.

Beyond the commentary on George’s mood, other people turned their attention to his


evolving appearance


. Observers expressed


how much older


the young royal looks compared to his age, with some highlighting his noticeable height and suggesting he had


inherited the tall stature


of his parents and grandmother.

Others noted how George bore a striking resemblance to his father and


praised his looks


. While many viewers offered lighthearted or speculative takes, one person touched on a recurring observation that George often


appears less than enthusiastic


during public outings.

As with most moments involving the young royal, public opinion proved to be a mix of admiration, curiosity, and unfiltered commentary.