Prince George has started a new chapter at Eton College, entering the prestigious boarding school at the age of 13 accompanied by his parents, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. The young royal will now follow a highly structured routine alongside around 1,300 other students.
George’s arrival marks the beginning of a school life governed by some of Eton’s most distinctive traditions, from its famously formal dress code to strict rules on technology, accommodation and free time.
A uniform steeped in tradition
George will wear Eton’s distinctive school dress, the same formal outfit previously worn by his father William and uncle Prince Harry.
The uniform consists of a black tailcoat, black waistcoat, white shirt with a detachable stiff collar, black pinstriped trousers and a white tie. The outfit, which has remained largely unchanged since 1964, must be purchased from authorised tailors in the village of Eton.
George will wear the standard version of the uniform, while coloured waistcoats and wing collars are reserved for senior pupils serving as prefects.
No smartphone for first-year pupils
Technology will also be subject to strict rules. Since 2024, Eton has prohibited smartphones for new Year 9 pupils, the group George has now joined.
Instead, students are provided with a basic keypad phone for calls and messages outside school hours, while an iPad is supplied for educational purposes through the school’s controlled Wi-Fi network.
The policy is intended to balance the benefits of technology with its potential drawbacks in school life. In George’s case, however, the restriction may not represent a major change. William has previously said that none of his three children has a smartphone, partly to shield them from age-inappropriate online content.
A room of his own
Despite the school’s regimented environment, George will have a single room. Eton does not use shared dormitories. The school is divided into 25 houses, each accommodating roughly 55 boys, who are further organised by age into smaller groups known as Blocks.
Each house is overseen by a Housemaster and a Dame, who are responsible for students’ day-to-day welfare and maintain regular contact with parents.
The private room therefore comes with plenty of supervision rather than complete independence.
Regular trips home
George will also have opportunities to return home, although departures are governed by Eton’s timetable. Students can take Short Leave during weekends and longer Long Leave periods during the middle of term, while parents can also take their children out on Sunday afternoons.
In practice, pupils generally return home every two or three weeks.
For George, the arrangement is relatively convenient given that his family lives close to Windsor. His proximity to home could also allow him to maintain regular contact with his family and potentially spend occasional Sundays with his grandfather, King Charles, much as William once did with Queen Elizabeth II.
Sport and a broad academic programme
Eton’s rules extend well beyond uniforms and technology. Sport is compulsory, while students approaching their final years are expected to narrow their academic focus to three or four subjects as they prepare for university.
The school offers up to 28 subjects, including nine modern and classical languages, and each pupil is assigned a personal tutor.
The system is designed to minimise distinctions between students from different backgrounds, whether they are children of prime ministers, members of royal families or other prominent figures.
For George, that means that once he passes through Eton’s gates, his royal status is expected to take a back seat to the demands of being a pupil alongside roughly 1,300 other boys.
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