The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly spent hours discussing the decision to send George to Eton College, and we asked Mirror readers to share their thoughts.
Kate Middleton is reportedly “heartbroken” by Prince William’s plans to send Prince George to Eton College, and we asked Mirror readers what they thought of the news.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly at odds over the decision to send their eldest son to the prestigious school when he turns 13, as it goes against the Royal Family’s efforts to “modernise the monarchy”.
Kate’s concerns come after she suffered “horrible bullying” at her first boarding school, Downe House in Berkshire, and “can’t bear the thought” of George going through a similar experience. Halfway through the year she moved to the co-educational boarding school Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she remained for the rest of her studies.
According to royal sources, the 42-year-old is determined to send George to the same institution, while William is set to pay £53,398 a year to Eton. Both William and Prince Harry attended the college, which differed from the older generation’s tradition of attending Scottish boarding school Gordonstoun.
While William enjoyed his time at Eton, Harry has confessed that he does not remember his early days at the famous college with particular fondness. Speaking to In Touch Weekly, a source close to the royals said: “Kate believes that sending George to such a stuffy, upper-class institution goes against all her efforts to modernise the monarchy. Plus, she will miss George terribly.”
They added: “Kate had long disagreed with her husband about sending him away, even though it is a tradition.” However, Kate was reported to have “caved” to William’s wishes and agreed to his request for an education.
We asked Mirror readers if they thought Kate was right in not wanting to send George to Eton, and a staggering 86 per cent said “Yes, absolutely.” Some 5,628 people took part in our poll, and a whopping 4,818 agreed with Kate’s concerns.
One user, who took to the comments section to express their views, wrote: “I remember Prince Charles (now King Charles of course) being sent to Gordonstoun and absolutely hating it. This was the decision of his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, to ‘toughen him up’ but I think we should look for a school that complements a child’s natural abilities and personality… NOT try to turn them into something they’re not.
“This has to apply to any family, royal or not! William risks repeating past mistakes just because he enjoyed Eton. It may not be suitable for Prince George and if Kate is worried about him being bullied, that should be taken into account.” Another wrote: “At Marlborough, Prince George will hopefully be able to make contact with a spectrum of people who have not had the privileges that members of the aristocracy and the wealthy have.”
While a third said: “Kate is right not to want to send Prince George to Eton,” another posted: “Boarding school isn’t the problem, Eton is. Sadly not an advisable or sensible option.”
Meanwhile, 10 per cent said Kate is “absolutely” wrong, as one reader shared: “Why isn’t tradition a good thing? I think both children should attend, and even Archie needs the formal education that all Royal children have.
“Kate needs to understand that for him (her son George) to grow up and learn that he can be away from mum is a show of strength, which will help him prepare for his future as king one day.” Another echoed: “He should go to Eton, just like Louis.”
Meanwhile, four percent selected the “Other” option, with one person saying: “I’m sure they will make an appropriate decision and only time will tell. I wish the young man all the best in his new school for the future. We all have differences of opinion anyway, there’s probably nothing to worry about.”
A second wrote: “Boarding school for boys is no longer an option – every child should be able to return home to their family whenever possible. At 16 or 18 they can make their own decisions about their further education. Parental support is so important for teenagers.”
“Modern Britain is a century behind with its boring old traditions. They should go to public schools with normal children and learn to be real,” wrote another.
Please note that the poll is still active, so these results may change after the article has been published.
You can still vote in the poll. HERE To give your opinion on the subject. Is Kate right in not wanting to send Prince George to Eton? Tell us your opinion in the comments section below.
