Princess Catherine is facing an emotional dilemma as she prepares to send her eldest son, Prince George, to boarding school—a decision that brings back memories of her own challenging school years. Despite George’s enthusiasm to follow in Prince William’s footsteps and attend Eton, Catherine has deep reservations rooted in her personal experiences. As a young girl, she struggled at her first boarding school, Down House, where alleged bullying took a toll on her well-being before she found a sense of belonging at Marlborough College. It’s a time that still weighs on her as she considers George’s future.
Catherine’s journey at Marlborough, where she eventually found confidence and friendship, was far from easy. Upon her arrival, she was reserved, struggling with her confidence and even enduring teasing from her peers. However, as she settled in, she blossomed into a popular student, excelling in hockey and tennis and becoming known for her grounded nature. Marlborough became a pivotal experience that transformed her from a shy teen into a confident young woman, prepared for the public role she would eventually assume. Her hope has always been to modernize the monarchy, creating a more open and connected experience for her children than her own upbringing.
With Eton just a short drive from their Windsor home, George will be able to visit frequently, but Catherine still worries about the change and admits she’ll miss him dearly. She has reluctantly accepted the decision, partly due to William’s own fond experiences at Eton and George’s budding interest in school activities like triathlons and even environmental initiatives. George, however, has expressed his own frustration over littering, a pet peeve he shares with his father.
As George faces the new academic and social pressures of boarding school, Catherine is navigating her role as a mother balancing tradition and her own emotional concerns. Her story serves as a reminder of the complexities that accompany life in the public eye, even when it comes to something as personal as choosing a school for her children.
