“But she’s still heartbroken. She was horribly bullied at her first boarding school and can’t bear the thought of George suffering through that,” a source said. Although Eton is only a five-minute drive from the family’s Windsor home and George would be able to return on weekends, Kate is said to be deeply concerned about missing him.
Another source told the Mirror that Kate felt sending George to such a traditional institution conflicted with efforts to modernize the monarchy. “Kate long disagreed with her husband about sending him away, even though it’s tradition,” the source said, adding that she is “finally giving in” to William’s wishes.
Highgate School emerges as an alternative
Despite earlier reports suggesting Eton was the likely choice, recent developments indicate Kate may still get her way. After Christmas, she was reportedly spotted visiting Highgate School in London, fueling speculation that George could attend the prestigious day school instead.
Founded more than 460 years ago, Highgate is a co-educational school for pupils aged four to 18. According to the Daily Mail, fees for secondary students currently total £32,640 per year, including lunch. During her visit, Kate reportedly spent time speaking with teachers, especially within the drama department.
A source told the Mail that Kate “spent quite a long time talking to two of the teachers there, including the Head of Drama, and was asking them about the drama curriculum and extracurricular activities.”
Highgate headteacher’s warning to parents
While Highgate’s reputation is strong, its leadership has recently signaled potential changes. Headteacher Adam Pettitt, who has led the school since 2006, has spoken out about children’s screen use and the importance of family interaction.
Writing in The Times, Pettitt emphasized the need for balance, saying, “Age-based limits on mobile phone use are a welcome first step, but how adults spend time with children is paramount.”
He added, “We must not only limit screen time but actively promote what should replace it. Children need to play, to have protected screen-free time, and to enjoy fun, shared experiences with the adults who care for them.”