It has a great reputation for educating the elite – including Princes William and Harry – but Eton College may not be able to count Prince George among its future students.
Speculation is growing that the second in line to the throne will instead follow in his mother's footsteps and be educated at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.
The Princess of Wales recently toured the £47,000-a-year co-educational school for the second time in as many months – this time accompanied by her husband and ten-year-old George.
Kate is said to not be a fan of single-sex schools like Eton and reportedly “hated” her time at Downe House, an all-girls boarding school in Berkshire, where she was allegedly attacked by bullies.
However, she thrived at Marlborough, where she excelled academically and performed well in sports such as hockey and tennis.
The Princess of Wales recently visited Marlborough College for the second time, albeit accompanied by her husband and ten-year-old George
It is understood no firm decision has yet been made on whether George will attend Marlborough College, which costs £47,000 a year
The Princess of Wales is said to not be a fan of single-sex institutions and thrived when she was sent to Marlborough, where she performed well in sports, including ice hockey
Although it is known that no firm decision has yet been made about which school George will attend, the princess took him and William to her alma mater on December 1, having previously visited alone in October.
They all also toured Eton in June. The college, located just a stone's throw from Windsor Castle, was a refuge for William and Harry, who attended there during the most turbulent years of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage.
But while William found solace there after his mother's death, Harry lamented in his memoir Spare that it wasn't the right choice for him.
George currently attends Lambrook co-educational preparatory school with his eight-year-old sister Princess Charlotte and five-year-old brother Prince Louis. Close to her Middleton grandparents' home, it teaches students up to age 13, meaning George will have to move in 2026.
Kate Middleton transferred to the prestigious school at the age of 14 and stayed there until it was time for her to attend St. Andrew's University. She became an avid ice hockey player. Pictured: Kate in the middle, back row with her hockey team in front of the college
Kate pictured with her classmates at St. Andrew's Prep School
Kate was praised by her fellow students in her yearbook as “the person most loved by all” as she left her year abroad before heading to the University of St Andrews after getting two A's and a B in her A-levels had
While the future queen, unlike some of her friends, was never caught drinking, she once threw up on the train home after a night of champagne and dancing
The princess pictured with her friends at a sleepover in the summer of 1998
A friend of Kate's, called Gemma, said that all the boys “thought she was lousy”, including classmate Jack Whitehall, who attended the school under Kate for a few years and admitted he had his first crush on her
Pictured: Kate and Jessica Hay at Marlborough College
The Princess of Wales' family also toured Eton in June, where William and Harry received an education
Kate Middleton on the throne at Elmhurst House at Marlborough College in 2000
Princess Eugenie previously attended Marlborough College. She was the first female member of the royal family to attend the school
Prince George started at Lambrook last year and is currently in sixth grade. He recently took exams that could affect his future education.
But if he continues to attend a mixed-gender school like Marlborough, his siblings could join him later. The Princess of Wales received a similar education to her younger sister Pippa and brother James.
Former students of Marlborough, which was founded in 1843, also include Princess Eugenie, Lady (Samantha) Cameron and the comedian Jack Whitehall.
In October, Kate revealed she had helped him prepare, telling students at a Cardiff secondary school: “George is just getting started with the tests.” He says: “Mum, I'm constantly getting tested.”
Last month, the princess missed Prince William's Earthshot award ceremony in Singapore to continue supporting George through his exams.
On the same day as the visit to Marlborough College, the trio enjoyed a relaxed lunch at Tray's Café in nearby Barrs Yard in Hungerford, while their security detail was nearby. A member of staff at the cafe, which is a 15-minute drive from the school, told The Mail on Sunday that the Waleses were “absolutely delightful” and “couldn't have been nicer”.
Both Eton and Marlborough have similar application processes, with assessments and interviews beginning when students are George's age.
Kensington Palace declined to comment last night.