Prince George to attend Eton College from September

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Prince George to attend Eton College from September14 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleSean CoughlanRoyal correspondentBBCPrince George at the Trooping the Colour parade on SaturdayPrince George will be going to school at Eton College in September, Kensington Palace has announced. He will follow in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales, who also attended the private school in Berkshire, where fees are around £63,000 per year. Pupils start at the school at the age of 13 - and Prince George will be 13 years old on his birthday next month.

As the oldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, George is second in line of succession to the throne. KENSINGTON PALACE/ JOSH SHINNERA picture of Prince George released for his 12th birthday last JulyThere had been speculation about which school Prince George would attend when he finished at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where he has been studying with his sister Charlotte and brother Louis. Among the suggestions under discussion, which seemed to focus on private rather than state schools, was Marlborough College, the school where his mother Catherine had attended.

The Details

But a more traditional option has been chosen, with the announcement that George will go to Eton College, the historic private school founded in the 15th Century, where 20 British prime ministers have studied. Prince George's uncle, Prince Harry, and great uncle, Earl Spencer, also attended the elite boarding school. Prince William, interviewed when he was aged 18, had spoken of enjoying his time at Eton.

"I've really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student," he had said in June 2000. The costs for Prince George will include the VAT added by the government to private school fees. Prince George was seen at the weekend with his parents and siblings at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London.

He has been gradually introduced to a public role, including going with his father Prince William to help at a charity for the homeless at Christmas. Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysis every week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK can sign up here.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.