BREAKINGPrince William, Kate Middleton CONCERNED over Prince George’s Eton admission
Prince William and Princess Kate may have one unusual challenge to navigate as Prince George begins his new chapter at Eton College — the school’s famously distinctive language and traditions.
The Prince and Princess of Wales accompanied their eldest son as he started at the prestigious Berkshire school last week, marking a major milestone for the 13-year-old.
George’s move to Eton has been closely watched, not least because his father was educated there himself.
But education expert Melanie Sanderson has pointed out that newcomers can initially face an unexpected adjustment because Eton has developed its own vocabulary over generations.
“Eton has its own language — they call year groups different things,” the managing editor of The Good Schools Guide told PEOPLE.
While that could prove confusing for some pupils and their families, Sanderson believes George has one considerable advantage: William already knows the system inside out.
William’s Experience Could Help George
Sanderson described some of Eton’s terminology as belonging to a “bygone era”, reflecting centuries of tradition at the school.
For George, however, much of that language may already feel more familiar than it would to another new pupil.
William attended Eton himself, meaning its customs and terminology have been part of his own life since his school days.
“When your dad has been through that system, it’s probably been part of his vernacular for most of his life,” Sanderson explained.
She suggested that parents naturally talk about their own school experiences with their children, giving George another opportunity to become familiar with what awaits him.
“As parents, you do talk about your school days, and your kids can relate to that,” she said.
Despite the unusual terminology and traditions, Sanderson said she was confident George would arrive well prepared.
That confidence also comes from the school he attended before Eton.
Lambrook Regularly Sends Pupils to Eton
George previously attended Lambrook School, the Berkshire prep school also attended by his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
According to Sanderson, Lambrook has considerable experience preparing boys for Eton.
“Lambrook is really used to sending boys off to Eton,” she said.
She described it as a regular feeder school, meaning George is far from the first pupil to make the transition between the two institutions.
“Lots of boys would have trodden that path before, so it’s nothing new,” Sanderson added.
The expert explained that preparing pupils for their next stage of education is central to Lambrook’s role as a prep school.
“It’s a prep school, so its absolute purpose is to prepare its boys and girls for their next school,” she said.
That should mean George has already been given the academic and practical preparation required for a move to a very different environment.
Major New Chapter for George
The start of George’s time at Eton represents another significant step towards greater independence for the future King.
For William, the moment will also carry a personal connection as his son begins experiencing the same school environment he once knew.
Kate, meanwhile, will be navigating the transition as a parent entering a system filled with its own long-established customs.
Any concerns about Eton’s unusual language appear relatively minor compared with the broader preparation George has already received.
Sanderson’s assessment suggests both his time at Lambrook and William’s firsthand experience should make the change considerably easier.
Eton’s traditions may take some getting used to, but George is entering the school with something many new pupils do not have: a father who has already travelled exactly the same path.
And according to the education expert, that should leave the young Prince particularly well prepared for what comes next.
