Why Kate Middleton Is in the Midst of an Especially “Emotional Time” Regarding Eldest Child Prince George

Rachel BurchfieldWed, April 22, 2026 at 1:10 PM UTC

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Kate Middleton and Prince George on June 17, 2023.Credit: GettyThe Gist -

Prince George will turn 13 years old on July 22, and soon after will be heading off to secondary school.

The top contenders remain Prince William’s alma mater, the all-boys Eton College, and Kate Middleton’s alma mater, Marlborough College, which is co-ed.

The Princess of Wales is in the midst of an “emotional time” as she prepares for an “empty seat at the table,” according to a royal biographer.

The Wales family of five will soon be in a season of change.

Prince George will turn 13 years old this summer, and not long after will be heading off to secondary school. The top two contenders for where the future king will go? Prince William’s alma mater, the all boys Eton College, and Kate Middleton’s alma mater, the co-ed Marlborough College.

The Princess of Wales is in the middle of an “emotional time” as she prepares for an “empty seat at the table,” royal biographer Robert Jobson told Hello!.

Kate Middleton and Prince George at Wimbledon on July 10, 2022.Credit: Getty

For George, “It’s a chance for him to spread his wings and take part in things in the afternoons and evenings instead of going home to Mum and Dad,” Jobson said of George potentially boarding at school.

“You can’t just pop home when you want to,” Jobson added, emphasizing that George’s shift to boarding school will be major for the family, which also includes his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. “They are such a tight family unit,” he explained.

Prince George, Princess Kate, Prince Louis, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte on September 7, 2022.Credit: Getty

Both William and Kate “know what it was like,” Jobson continued, adding that the Prince and Princess of Wales “both boarded, so they know how it works.”

A friend of the Prince and Princess of Wales told Hello! that the family of five is “a great example of a happy family.” Kate has always been outspoken about giving her children as normal of a childhood as possible—despite the circumstances—and “William has always been intent on achieving that,” the friend added. “Catherine also comes from a near idyllic family background, what with her two amazing parents and close sibling relationships.”

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As a palace insider told People, “Those children look pretty happy with life. A lot of it is the stabilizing normality Kate brings—and that’s how she grew up. William absolutely loves it.”

The Wales family of five at Trooping the Colour on June 14, 2025.Credit: Getty

“Coming from a different background, [Kate] appreciates the importance of having family time,” a source close to the royal household said. “She wasn’t brought up in that aristocratic setting where you see the children for a short time each day.”

A friend added that “Royal families over the generations haven’t had the chance to get those foundations right, but they have.”

Prince George and Kate Middleton on December 15, 2022.Credit: Getty

While it’s still unclear exactly where George is headed in the fall, a source told Vanity Fair earlier this year, “While Eton would be the obvious choice because it is on their doorstep and where William went, they are leaning towards other schools. I’m hearing Marlborough is the frontrunner.”

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told the outlet, “I expect we will be told later on in the summer at the very last minute, when the security detail has been organized, but clearly it’s an important consideration. It will require two protection officers taking it in turns to look after George while he’s at school.”

Prince George and Kate Middleton on November 8, 2025.Credit: Getty

“William loved Eton and did well academically, but I don’t think we should assume George will follow suit,” she continued. “For a start, we are seeing William doing things differently. He is mindful of costs and appearances when it comes to his family and the future.”

Marlborough, a source told Vanity Fair, has an advantage because it is co-ed, meaning that all three of the Wales children could continue to attend school together, as they do now at Lambrook. “Kate had a great time at Marlborough and it ticks all the boxes,” the source said. “I think if they can, they would love for all three children to be at school together, which puts Marlborough as the top choice.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”