Prince William and Princess Kate Have ‘Spent Many Hours’ Preparing Prince George, 13, for Life at Boarding School

Since its founding in the 15th century by King Henry VI, the prestigious Eton College boarding school has seen 20 British prime ministers, two royals — Prince William and his brother Prince Harry, as well as their uncle Earl Spencer — and celebrities including Eddie Redmayne, Dominic West, Damian Lewis and Tom Hiddleston all walk through its hallowed halls.

Now, 13-year-old Prince George is set to attend the renowned institution when he begins his studies there in on September 8, per Vanity Fair.

“The Waleses have had a fabulous summer, but it’s back to reality, and George’s upcoming stint at Eton is of course a huge focus for the whole family,” a source tells Star.

The all-boys school — which contains 55 boarding houses and enrolls 1,350 students a year — is located in Windsor near William and Kate’s Forest Lodge home. After months of speculation about where George would continue his education, Kensington Palace announced the decision in June.

The source says William and Princess Kate, both 44, have “spent many hours” getting George ready for his next chapter. “William especially has gone out of his way to ensure George is as prepared as he possibly can be before that all-important first day.”

Eton wasn’t Kate’s first choice for her eldest child (she and William are also parents to Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8). “It’s fairly common knowledge that she would have preferred George to attend a day school,” says the source. (Kate herself went to the co-ed boarding school Marlborough College.) “It’s definitely a bittersweet situation,” the source adds, “and Kate’s struggling with the fact that George won’t be home every day.”

For William, it was a no-brainer for George — who’s second in line to the throne — to follow in his footsteps. “William believes wholeheartedly in the benefits of boarding school,” says the source. “He wants George to learn the value of independence.” (The future king praised his own time at Eton in a 2000 interview with the BBC, saying it was a welcome escape from the intense royal spotlight and that he “really enjoyed being able to go about” as just another student and not feel like he was special.)

Kate had little choice but to eventually give in. “William is sensitive to her anxiety but is confident that Kate will see fairly quickly that they’ve made the right choice,” notes the source. “And he regularly reminds Kate that George won’t be far away, and that they’ll still see him frequently.”

The pair have been talking George through what to expect. GB News reported in August that “No Photography” signs have been hung around campus in anticipation of the prince’s arrival, and that he will receive around-the-clock police protection.

(William’s estranged brother detailed his Eton experience in his 2023 memoir, Spare, revealing he had to learn the school’s lingo — classes were called “divs,” and teachers were “beaks” — and that he was in for “a profound shock” when he arrived. He also claimed William requested he “pretend I didn’t know him,” adding, “He was forging his own life, and he wasn’t willing to give that up.”)

Kate and William are talking George through his syllabus and giving him “various tips,” says the source, including how to navigate teasing or bullying. “Obviously William’s the perfect person to advise George,” says the source. “He’s told him there will be occasions where he’ll need to stand his ground since some of the older students will no doubt try to get a rise out of him.”

Like all the students, who range in age from 13 to 18, George will have his own room and eat in the dining hall (past menus include fish and chips, mince pies and a traditional Sunday roast, per Tasting Table).

The family dynamic at home is sure to change without George. “Charlotte is sad to see her brother go,” says the source. “But it gives her a chance to be the oldest sibling — and it will be fun for her not to be outnumbered by boys anymore.” Louis, too, will miss his big brother: “They are very close.”

There’s talk of a small going-away party before he leaves. “It’s certain that everyone will want to see George off in style,” says the source. “It will be a lovely touch and a very special family occasion.”