Prince William risks repeating past mistakes by sending George to Eton
Kate Middleton is reportedly “heartbroken” by Prince William’s decision to send Prince George to Eton College.
The Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly disagree with the choice, as it contradicts the Royal Family’s efforts to “modernise the monarchy”.
Kate’s concerns stem from her own experience of being “horribly bullied” at her first boarding school, Downe House in Berkshire, and she “can’t bear the thought” of George facing a similar situation.
Halfway through the year he moved to the coeducational Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where he completed his education.
Sources close to the royal family say the 42-year-old is determined to enroll George at Marlborough, while William has committed to sending him to Eton, which costs £53,398 a year.
Both William and Prince Harry attended Eton, breaking away from the long-standing tradition of attending the Scottish boarding school Gordonstoun.
Although William had a positive experience at Eton, Harry has said he does not look back fondly on his early days at the prestigious institution.
Speaking to In Touch Weekly, a source close to the royals said: “Kate believes 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.
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 surely applies 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 then that should be taken into account.”
Another wrote: “In Marlborough, Prince George will hopefully be able to make contact with a spectrum of people who have not had the privileges enjoyed by members of the aristocracy and the wealthy.”
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.”
