Labour MP Clive Lewis has called for Prince George, the nine-year-old son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to attend a state school instead of following in his father's footsteps and
going to Eton. Lewis argued that if Prince George attended a state school, he would be able to interact with a much broader cross-section of his future subjects than he would at Eton. Lewis acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
There have been no announcements from Kensington Palace on where Prince George will attend school after leaving the preparatory school Lambrook in Windsor, which is seen as a feeder school to Eton. According to the Mail, a Labour source has spoken out on the MP's comments, saying that "the last thing Keir wants is a row with the royals, but voices around him are muttering that it would be a 'good look' if William decided against sending George to the most famously elitist school in the world at a time when we are adding to the already eye-watering costs."
The optics of Prince George attending Eton have reportedly been discussed by Labour sources, with some suggesting that the Prince and Princess of Wales could be convinced to change their minds. Both Prince William and Prince Harry attended Eton College, which has an annual tuition fee of £46,296.
The Princess of Wales is said to be partial to her son following in her footsteps at Marlborough College, which costs £42,500 a year. However, Lewis argues that Prince George attending a state school would provide him with a unique opportunity to mix with a diverse group of people from different backgrounds and learn about their experiences.
While some may argue that attending Eton could prepare Prince George better for his future role as king, others have suggested that it may perpetuate the image of the monarchy as an elitist institution, which could further harm its public image.
It is worth noting that the education of the British royal family has historically been a topic of interest and debate. While some members of the royal family, such as Prince Charles, have attended traditional boarding schools, others, such as Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, were educated privately but not at boarding schools.
Overall, Lewis's call for Prince George to attend a state school instead of Eton is a reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding the education of the royal family and their relationship with the wider public. While the decision ultimately rests with the Prince and Princess of Wales, the discussion surrounding the topic highlights the importance of ensuring that the royal family is seen as accessible and relatable to the public they serve. Photo by Londisland, Wikimedia commons.