Prince George at Eton

[squashyhat]

Can anyone explain why Prince George is boarding at Eton when the family home is just minutes away across the river?

I think 13 is probably an excellent time to start boarding and if I could have afforded it, I would definitely have sent one of my children who I know would have enjoyed it.

@Araminta1004 At Eton, boys are not allowed to have longer style hair (or facial hair)

I wouldn't describe George as upper middle class...

@MrsM2025 - is that the “official” line? Maybe George can start a trend of getting a proper haircut again!

I think that there is a state journey to Australia this year and also a few state visits to the UK so the PoWs are really busy. We fit. Really have much idea of what happens behind the scenes but Pw is being prepped towards becoming King. I would imagine a few extra visits to Highgrove.

If you’re not an adult then perhaps you should get off the internet and go and do your homework.

Well my point was his mother was upper middle & hos dad royalty so it's the done thing in those sort of families & good for them.

No, I've learned the danger of pre-assumptions about intelligence. My father was discriminated against in the US school system because he spoke no English when he entered school at age 6 and his parents had no formal education after the age of 12. My own school system effectively tracked kids from the age of 12 based on IQ scores.

My grandfather went on to start several successful businesses, own his own homes, and pass the US citizenship test.

Adults go to university.

Children go to boarding schools.

This is an entirely false equivalence if you understand anything whatsoever about child development.

Yes, because British children at day schools being smothered by their parents every evening are all developing so well, aren't they?

Did you send your dc at 7?

This is an entirely false equivalence if you understand anything whatsoever about child development.

But surely someone who understood anything whatsoever about child development would know it would be unwise to label a child ‘a spoiled brat’ on the basis of their family history alone?

There are far too many variables and circumstances that shape children. It isn’t just about education, money or family.

Do you honestly think that somebody’s brain changes overnight when they turn 18? And that all adolescents develop and mature at the same speed and in the same ways? What basis do you have to say it’s ok for an 18 year old to go to university (or a 17 year old if they’ve skipped a year) but it’s not ok for a 16 year old to go to boarding school?

It’s reverse snobbery!

I don’t think any actual adults are spending time online describing children they don’t know as “spoiled brats”.

I do truly appreciate the poster that read your essay about it, so I could give it a swerve.

Surely.

It os a boarding school. There is no option to be a 'day student'.

I think a lot depends on the family and home life, as well as the temperament of the child.

Some kids are sent to boarding school because of their family tradition even if they don’t want to go - or they are at the wrong school for their temperament.

Some kids are sent to ‘fix’ a problem.

Some are sent to escape a horrible home life.

That’s where the older studies on boarding school trauma missed part of the picture - what was going on at home plays a huge part of the issue.

I wouldn't call it legendary umbrella-closing. Deft, definitely. Not merely shoes -HIGH heels.

@Backedoffhackedoff with the advent of day and weekly boarding, then the long periods of time off that private schools offer, boarding in the year 2026 is not like boarding in 1986. the boarding school i'm familiar with has psychologist on staff as well as trained councilors, not just for family stuff but equally for navigating relationships with fellow boarders huge focus on pastoral care.

@SideEyeClyde i would take a bit of grace and dignity any day to the constant stupidity of donald j trump leader of the not so free/heavily tariffed/ democratically elected world. you might not like the royal head of state but wtf would you prefer the president of the united states?

George will have had top-level tuition to take the exam, tailored specifically to getting good marks. Anyone of average or greater intelligence can pass an exam with the right tuition.

Almost every child taking the exam has had top notch tuition.
I don't think he would be going if they didn't think he was bright enough, not with the example of his uncle fresh in the mind - Harry may well have been of guidance to his upbringing after all..!

I'm sure he's bright enough, but not all entrants will have had the full 'money no object' sort of tuition to which the Royals have access.

Quite a lot of the parents at eton will be far richer than the royal family. I agree though, tutoring will only ever cost so much, it’s not really a big deal. Their prep is supposed to help too.