Where have been the royals educated?

While youngsters from aristocratic backgrounds are anticipated to attend the world’s most prestigious faculties, their experiences will not be as seamless as anticipated.

This was illustrated by Princess Diana‘s brother, Charles Spencer, in his newly launched memoir, which particulars his chilling account of Maidwell Hall within the Seventies.

The e-book, entitled A Very Private School, exposes how Charles, as an 11-year-old pupil on the boarding college in Northamptonshire, grew to become the goal of a feminine assistant matron.

The 59-year-old described how the ‘voracious paedophile’ preyed on him and different younger boys, grooming and abusing them in secret.

Some college students might recall constructive tales from the prep college, however Charles’ harrowing account raises issues about sending youngsters to boarding college at a younger age. 

In mild of this information, we mirror on the education that different members of the Royal Family underwent of their early years and discover how these experiences formed their grownup lives.  

King Charles

King Charles, who was the primary British monarch to be educated exterior of the house, joined Hill House School in Knightsbridge, London, on the age of six. 

The boys-only, pre-preparatory college was based by British Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Townend in 1951.

However, Charles solely attended for 9 months, from November 1956 to the summer season of 1957.

That September, he was moved to Cheam School, his father Prince Phillip’s previous prep college, in Headley, Hampshire – he was eight years previous. 

Cheam Preparatory School is the oldest of its sort within the nation, having opened its doorways in 1645.

There was uncertainty about whether or not Charles ought to attend the world-famous Eton College in Berkshire or Gordonstoun in Moray, Scotland, as soon as he reached the age of 13.

The Queen Mother questioned the varied non secular ethos of Gordonstoun, which was based by an experimental German-Jewish educator, and steered that her grandson went to Eton.

In a handwritten letter from 1961, she penned: ‘It’s all the time a tough one with the inheritor to the throne’, however going to Eton ‘would resolve many difficulties, one being faith’.

However, Prince Phillip was adamant that Charles attended Gordonstoun, situated within the Scottish Highlands, the place he had been a founder pupil.

The Queen Mother’s warning proved to be prescient as Charles likened his years on the college, which now prices boarders greater than £33,000 a yr, to a ‘jail sentence’ and known as it ‘Colditz in kilts’.

The college’s robust regime kicked off at 7.20am, with a 45-yard jog up the highway, adopted by each cold and hot showers – lacking the latter was thought-about ‘unlawful’.

Charles is claimed to have disliked his early years a lot that he cried himself to sleep for a number of nights. He was additionally bullied by fellow pupils, notably on the rugby area, the place they might push him into the mud and as soon as broke his nostril throughout a very tough recreation.

The inheritor was additionally unimpressed by the opposite boys’ hygiene, writing house in 1963: ‘The individuals in my dormitory are foul. Goodness, they’re horrid. I do not know the way anyone might be so foul.’

In his later years, Charles grew to become the pinnacle boy, as voted by his friends.

He performed the lead in Macbeth, watched by each his mother and father. 

Shomie Das, a former private tutor and physics trainer, instructed The Mail on Sunday that Charles developed his lifelong love of Shakespeare at Gordonstoun.

‘He was probably the greatest schoolboy Macbeths I’ve ever seen, he was so good at appearing,’ Das recalled.

Charles earned 5 O-Levels in English Literature, English Language, French, Latin and History, adopted by A-Levels in French and History.

He attended Trinity College, a part of the University of Cambridge, from 1967 to 1970, the place he studied archaeology and anthropology for one yr and historical past for 2 years.

King Charles graduated with a 2:2 Bachelor of Arts (BA) diploma, turning into the primary British inheritor obvious to carry a college diploma.

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla was first educated at Dumbrells School, a co-educational situated in Sussex, close to her household house within the village Plumpton.

She moved to South Kensington together with her mother and father and two siblings on the age of 10, the place she began attending the native Queen’s Gate School, which strived to ‘present wives for the Foreign Office and many of the the Aristocracy’.

Pupils got classes on flower arranging, cookery and writing cheques. Camilla left college with one O-Level, though it’s unclear which topic this was in.

The Queen is claimed to have been widespread and outgoing – some former college students keep in mind her climbing onto the roof for cigarettes.

At the age of 16, she moved to the ending college Mon Fertile in Switzerland adopted by Institut Britannique in Paris, France. 

At the previous, Camilla is claimed to have misplaced weight and discovered the best way to kiss boys, a pastime she described as ‘fairly deliciously great’.

Six months later, the royal returned to London, the place she labored part-time as a secretary and attended a number of high-profile social occasions, together with the annual Hunt Ball as a debutante. 

Princess Anne

Princess Anne was educated at Buckingham Palace till 1963, when she joined Benenden School in Kent.

Being the primary British feminine royal to attend college, Anne efficiently accomplished six O-Levels and three A-Levels in English, History and Politics. 

The Princess Royal additionally confirmed a eager curiosity in horsemanship and reached the best stage of equestrian competitors. 

In 1971, she received the European three-day Horse Trial Championships at Burghley, driving her eight-year-old gelding, named Doublet. 

Anne started endeavor public work on the age of 18 – her first engagement was the opening of an schooling and coaching centre in Shropshire in 1969.  

Princess Diana

Diana, Princess of Wales enrolled in Silfield School, Norfolk, when she was six years previous. 

The personal day college, which has since closed, accommodated a complete of 40 women and boys, together with Diana’s brother Charles.

Two years later, she moved to all-girls boarding college Riddlesworth Hall, set within the Norfolk countryside.

In 1973, Diana joined her sisters and cousin Diana Macfarlane at West Heath Girls’ School in Sevenoaks, Kent.

Diana’s cousin revealed that the Princess would have images of Prince Charles beside her mattress within the West Heath dormitory.

The royal’s tutorial efficiency was not robust and she or he failed her O-Levels twice.

However, she excelled at ballet, faucet dance and music, and was an completed pianist.

Additionally, Diana received the varsity award for The Girl Giving most Help to the School and her Schoolfellows.

In 1977, Diana moved to the ending college Institut Alpin Videmanette in Rougemont, Switzerland, the place classes included snowboarding, cooking, dressmaking and French.

She returned to London the next yr, settling at a flat in Coleherne Court on Old Brompton Road within the district of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The Princess labored as a non-public nanny and nursery trainer on the Young England School in Pimlico.

Prince William

Prince William started his schooling at Mrs Mynors Nursery School in London, earlier than becoming a member of Wetherby Pre-Prep School in 1987.

The eight-year-old Prince enrolled at Ludgrove School, in Berkshire, which supplied fortnightly boarding for boys.

The headmaster is claimed to have made it his mission to guard Prince William and Prince Harry from tabloid gossip whereas they have been on campus. 

Princess Diana selected Ludgrove to make sure her youngsters had a comparatively regular expertise. She additionally thought that William would profit from referring to common individuals – the longer term King even shared a bed room with 4 different boys.

Prince William began Eton College in 1995, the place he pursued his GCSEs and A Levels in Biology, Geography and History of Art.

Being the primary senior royal to enroll within the college, he was appointed as a House Captain of Games, House Captain and Prefect.

Similar to a lot of his friends, William took a niche yr to journey and acquire new experiences earlier than starting his college course. These included ‘preparation for survival’ workouts with the Welsh Guards in Belize, working as a volunteer with Raleigh International in Chile, engaged on a dairy farm within the UK and visiting nations in Africa.

The Prince commenced his four-year Master of Arts diploma course in History of Art at St Andrews University in Scotland. However, after two years, he switched to Geography.

William’s remaining dissertation examined the coral reefs of Rodrigues within the Indian Ocean. Additionally, he visited Norway on a area journey to witness the Jostedalen ice cap, which is the most important in mainland Europe.

During this time, the royal loved a variety of hobbies, similar to water polo, and was subsequently chosen to signify the Scottish nationwide universities staff within the annual Celtic Nations event in opposition to Wales and Ireland.

His Royal Highness graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 Master of Arts (Honours) in Geography and his ceremony was attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Charles and Camilla. 

Soon afterwards, William joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an Officer Cadet. 

The royal launched into a 44-week coaching course, after which he was commissioned as an Army Officer in 2006, becoming a member of the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) as a Second Lieutenant. A yr later, he was promoted to rank of Lieutenant. 

Opting for a profession within the navy aviation, William started coaching as a Search and Rescue pilot in 2009, assuming the title of Flight Lieutenant Wales. 

William spent three years on this function, throughout which period he dealt with 156 search and rescue operations and certified as an operational Captain.

Following his operational duties with the Armed Forces, William retrained to change into an Air Ambulance Pilot, working for East Anglian Air Ambulance from 2015 till 2017.

He collaborated with specialist medical doctors and demanding care paramedics, piloting 999 emergency response groups to sufferers throughout Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

‘It has been an enormous privilege to fly with the East Anglian Air Ambulance,’ William mentioned in an announcement.

‘I’ve liked being a part of a staff {of professional}, gifted people who save lives on daily basis. My admiration for our nation’s medical and emergency companies group couldn’t be any stronger.’ 

Prince Harry 

Prince Harry adopted in his older brother’s footsteps when it got here to his early years schooling, attending Wetherby School and Ludgrove School, adopted by Eton.

Located in Berkshire, Eton’s expansive 400-acre campus has loved royal endorsement since its founding by King Henry VI in 1440. 

‘The most interesting college on the earth for boys, Eton was meant to be a shock, I feel,’ Harry penned in his memoir, Spare.

‘Shock should’ve been a part of its authentic constitution, even maybe part of the directions given to its first architects by the varsity’s founder, my ancestor Henry VI.

‘He deemed Eton some form of holy shrine, a sacred temple, and to that finish he wished it to overwhelm the senses, so guests would really feel like meek, abased pilgrims. 

‘In my case, mission completed.’

After leaving Eton in 2003, Harry visited Argentina and Africa. He additionally gained expertise engaged on a cattle station in Australia and volunteering in an orphanage in Lesotho. 

In distinction to William, Harry made he choice to forgo college and as an alternative enrolled at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005.

It was rumoured that the Prince regretted this choice, however in his memoir Spare, he insisted: ‘I by no means as soon as regretted my choice to skip college.’

Prince Harry was commissioned an officer in 2006 and served within the British Army for a decade. During his tenure, the Prince rose to the rank of Captain and accomplished two excursions of Afghanistan.

Kate Middleton 

Kate Middleton was born in Reading, however on the age of two, she moved to Amman, Jordan, for her father to pursue work alternatives.

She attended a nursery college for one yr, from the age of three, earlier than the Middletons returned to their house in West Berkshire. 

The success of their enterprise allowed Carole and Michael to ship Kate to St Andrew’s prep college in Pangbourne, the place she remained till 1995.

At the age of 13, Kate briefly attended Downe House, an unbiased boarding college in Newbury. However, midway via the varsity time period in 1996, she was transferred to Marlborough College because of cases of bullying and taunting from different college students.

Her fellow dormmate at Marlborough, Gemma Williamson, beforehand instructed the Daily Mail: ‘Apparently she had been bullied very badly and she or he definitely seemed skinny and pale. She had little or no confidence.’ 

It was on the blended boarding college, in Wiltshire, that the reserved teenager underwent a metamorphosis, turning into a confident, sporty younger girl, who captained the varsity area hockey staff.

Kate excelled in each athletics and teachers, acquiring 11 GCSEs and three A Levels in Chemistry, Biology and Art.

After finishing her research, the Princess of Wales assumed a niche yr. She studied on the British Institute in Florence, undertook a Raleigh International programme in Chile, and crewed on Round the World Challenge boats within the Solent.

In 2001, Kate enrolled on the University of St Andrews to review artwork historical past, whereas working part-time as a waitress. 

She was allotted the identical dorm constructing as Prince William, and the pair established a robust friendship. In their second yr, they selected to reside along with a gaggle of mates.

Kate continued her curiosity in sport and performed hockey for the college staff. She graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 in History of Art. 

The Princess labored as an equipment purchaser for prime avenue model Jigsaw, and later assumed varied roles at her mother and father’ occasion provides firm, Party Pieces.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle attended Hollywood Schoolhouse whereas rising up in Los Angeles. 

The unbiased college states on its web site that it’s ‘recognized for a blended program of progressive and conventional instruction in addition to a robust group that helps college students all through their complete journey in main schooling’.

In 1993 on the age of 12, Meghan joined Immaculate Heart, a non-public Catholic day college for women, the place she stayed till the age of 17. The college additionally counts supermodel-turned-host Tyra Banks amongst its alumni.

The Duchess has beforehand detailed how difficult she discovered life at Immaculate Heart. ‘I by no means had anybody to take a seat with at lunch. I used to be all the time a bit of little bit of a loner and actually shy and did not know the place I slot in,’ she mentioned.

For ten years, Meghan would be a part of her father, Thomas, on the set of the sitcom Married… with Children after college, the place he was the director of lighting and images.

The Duchess enrolled at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and graduated with a double main in theatre and worldwide research in 2003.

Initially, Meghan had supposed to focus solely on learning theatre, however she altered her main after realising her curiosity in politics. 

Nevertheless, Meghan encountered difficulties in financing her research. Her father took out loans to help in paying tuition charges and her mom additionally made contributions.

At the age of 20, the royal carried out an internship on the US embassy in Argentina, facilitated by her uncle Michael Markle, a retired diplomat.

After graduating, Meghan returned to Los Angeles to embark on an appearing profession. 

She labored as a ‘briefcase mannequin’ on Deal or No Deal, and landed visitor appearances in a number of TV reveals, similar to 90210 and CSI: Miami. Additionally, she supplemented her earnings by working as a contract calligrapher. 

Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice started her early schooling at Upton House School, Windsor, in 1991, earlier than she and Princess Eugenie attended the unbiased Coworth Park School, in Surrey, from 1995.

The sisters have been anticipated to proceed their research oversees at Aiglon College, a prime personal college in Switzerland. However, this choice was deserted after reviews surfaced of an assault on two college students throughout the facility.

Instead, Princess Beatrice went on to review at St George’s, an all-girls boarding college in Ascot.

A couple of years later, it was revealed that Princess Beatrice had been recognized with dyslexia on the age of seven.

Consequently, she took her GCSEs a yr later than her friends, however handed with flying colors: A* grades for historical past and drama, A grades for French and artwork and B grades for her remaining topics. 

Beatrice was elected to be head woman throughout her remaining yr at college. 

Today, the royal credit her ‘superb lecturers’, who gave her further tuition to enhance her studying and writing expertise.

Appearing in an episode of the Made by Dyslexia podcast, Beatrice recalled a reminiscence from childhood: ‘We had totally different coloured books to explain how far the place your studying ranges had obtained to and I used to be all the time on the white books.

‘My greatest mates have been all the time on the yellow books or the inexperienced books. They have been to this point forward.’

She mentioned the expertise led her to ‘doubt’ herself, including: ‘I feel if I have been to say to my youthful self don’t be outlined by these moments that occurred to you in that examination or that classroom as a result of they’re lifelong learnings.

‘They are classes that you just carry with you, they usually construct you as much as be who you’re.’

Princess Beatrice continued her greater schooling at Goldsmiths College, in London, graduating with a bachelor’s diploma in historical past.

She was employed on the Foreign Office and Sony Pictures, earlier than taking up the function of Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at software program firm, Afiniti.

Princess Eugenie

Princess Eugenie started her education at Winkfield Montessori nursery in 1992.

The Montessori methodology of schooling focuses on youngsters’s natural pursuits, reasonably than utilizing formal educating strategies. Princess Diana additionally insisted her sons have been taught utilizing this strategy. 

Eugenie joined her sister at Upton House School, Coworth Park School and St George’s School, the place she stayed till 2003. 

Similar to Kate Middleton, the royal attended Marlborough College, in Wiltshire, as a boarder for 5 years.

Eugenie excelled academically, scoring two A*s, 4 As and three Bs in her GCSEs. She is claimed to have the very best grades among the many present British royals. 

The Princess enrolled at Newcastle University and graduated with a 2:1 in English Literature and History of Art in 2012.

‘I’ve liked artwork since I used to be little or no,’ she beforehand instructed Harper’s Bazaar.

‘I knew I undoubtedly would not be a painter, however I knew this was the business for me. I really like having the ability to share my ardour for artwork with individuals.

‘If somebody would not perceive one thing, you might have the flexibility to counsel, “Maybe you can look at it this way,” that is what I discover most thrilling about working in a gallery.’ 

Eugenie first labored as a specialist at on-line public sale home Paddle8 in New York, then later grew to become the affiliate director at up to date artwork gallery, Hauser & Wirth. 

Prince George 

Prince George attended Westacre Montessori School Nursery in 2016. It is situated in shut proximity to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ house of Anmer Hall in Norfolk.

At the age of 4, George moved to Thomas’s Battersea in September 2017, confounding expectation that he would observe in his father’s footsteps at Wetherby. 

As a outcome, the household relocated to Kensington Palace, though Amner Hall continues to be their personal nation house.

At that point, headmaster Ben Thomas mentioned he was ‘honoured’ to welcome the Prince to his college. 

The web site reads: ‘Thomas’s Battersea is a busy, thriving, purposeful college, educating 540 girls and boys between the ages of 4 and 13.

‘As you’d count on of any Thomas’s college, a very powerful college rule is to Be Kind’.

Following the household’s transfer to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, final August, George and his siblings enrolled at Lambrook School in Berkshire.

Lambrook educates girls and boys, starting from ages three to 13, and boasts a nine-hole golf course, set inside 52 acres of personal land.

There can also be a 25-metre swimming pool and an orchard that’s house to pigs, chickens and rabbits, which can be found to cuddle throughout wellbeing walks.

Meanwhile, on-site bee hives to encourage college students to study extra in regards to the surrounding pure panorama. 

While Prince George’s secondary college has not but been confirmed, it’s thought he’ll attend Eton or Malborough College.

Princess Charlotte

During her early years, Princess Charlotte attended the personal Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, which is situated close to Kensington Palace. 

Following in her brother’s footsteps, Charlotte studied at Thomas’s Battersea earlier than shifting to Lambrook School in 2017. 

The unique Christian college is simply a 10-minute drive from the household’s present residence of Adelaide Cottage.

Prince Louis 

The youngest youngster of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, commenced his schooling throughout the identical week as his third birthday in April 2021.

Unsurprisingly, he additionally attended Willcocks Nursery School and Lambrook. 

In September 2022, William and Kate accompanied Louis, together with George and Charlotte, for a ‘settling in afternoon’ forward of the brand new college time period.

It is estimated that the charges are totalling over £50,000 per yr for the couple’s three youngsters.