Prince George, eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, is preparing to begin his studies at Eton College in September, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle. The future king, who turned 13 on July 22, 2026, will face an environment with remarkable traditions and a particular vocabulary, something that already challenged Prince Harry upon his own entry into the institution. George is expected to adapt to school life, which is known for its rigidity and exclusive lexicon, at one of the most prestigious schools in the United Kingdom.
Prince Harry’s unique environment and culture shock at Eton
Prince Harry entered Eton College in 1998, just a year after the death of his mother, Princess Diana, and three years after his older brother, Prince William. In his memoir, “Spare”, published in 2023, the Duke of Sussex described his arrival at the school as a “profound shock”. He likened the institution to a “sacred sanctuary”, designed by its founder, King Henry VI, to “subvert the senses” and make visitors feel like “humble pilgrims”. Harry stated that, in his case, the mission was accomplished, highlighting how overwhelming the initial experience was.
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The adaptation involved several aspects, from wearing the traditional uniform to understanding the school’s complex unwritten social rules. Harry confessed in his autobiography that he “didn’t even know how to dress in the morning”, which illustrates the depth of the transition to this new universe. In addition to the practical challenges, the prince had to assimilate an extensive list of terms and phrases that were exclusive to Eton, immersing himself in a completely different way of communicating within the walls of the prestigious institution.
- Eton College’s peculiar terminology and its official glossary
- Eton College has its own lexicon that permeates the daily lives of its students and staff, creating an initial barrier for newcomers. Prince Harry revealed in his book some examples of this particular language:
- Classes were not called “classes” but rather “divs”.
- Teachers were known as “beaks”.
- Cigarettes were called “tabagge”.
- “Chambers” was the morning meeting of the “beaks” to discuss students, especially troublesome ones. Harry confessed that he felt his “ears burning” during these sessions, indicating the tension and scrutiny the students were subject to.
The institution itself is fully aware of its specific language. To help new students adapt and understand the public, Eton College provides a “Glossary” of terms on its official website. This initiative highlights the uniqueness of the educational environment and the importance of becoming familiar with this internal communication for successful integration.
Linguistic and academic challenges await Prince George
When starting his studies at Eton College, Prince George will be placed in “F Block”, which corresponds to the ninth year in other schools in the United Kingdom, and will have to adjust to the institution’s customs. This includes understanding that “Dinner” is actually lunch, and that “Extra Work” or “EW” refers to homework. The expectation is that, like other students, George will use the online glossary to decipher the local language and quickly integrate into the academic environment.
The school, which costs around 85 thousand dollars per year, is known for its academic excellence and for offering a modern and diverse infrastructure. Eton College recently revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art sports complex, which will include a martial arts dojo, a golf simulator and even a shooting range. These facilities complement academic rigor and provide ample opportunities for students’ physical, skills, and leadership development.
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Eton’s educational tradition and royal family ties
Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton is a renowned boys’ boarding school that has been a pillar in the education of generations of leaders, including 20 British prime ministers. The institution maintains a strong tradition of educating members of the royal family, with Prince William having been a notable alumnus. Sources close to the royal family indicated that Prince George always expressed a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps, which became a decisive factor in his parents’ choice of school.
Despite its long history and strong attachment to traditions, Eton has modernized, today boasting a more diverse student body than in previous times, such as in Prince William’s time. A royal author said the family’s decision reflects the school’s “academic excellence and the many ways it develops its students for leadership roles,” preparing them for future challenges. However, Harry’s time at Eton also revealed complex aspects of royal family relationships; he claimed that Prince William, seeking to preserve his own space and identity at school, asked him to “pretend not to know him” — turning Eton into a personal refuge for his older brother.
The key role of sport in Harry’s journey at Eton
Prince Harry found sport an essential pillar and outlet during his challenging years at Eton. He decided that physical activities would be his main focus at school, developing a special passion for rugby. In a statement given in June 2023, Harry stated that “sport kept me together”, noting that he was one of the students who did not enjoy working in the classroom. He credited the institution’s vast sports offering as the determining factor that made him stay and prosper at the school.
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This personal experience of Harry’s underlines how Eton College offers not only a rigorous academic environment, but also a crucial space for the development of other extracurricular skills and interests. Sport, in this context, worked as a means of building identity and relieving stress for the young prince, demonstrating the importance of a balanced curriculum and physical activities for the integral education of students, especially in such a demanding environment.