ETON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 8: Catherine, Princess of Wales (L) and Prince William, Prince of Wales (R) walk with their 13-year-old son, Prince George of Wales (C), as he arrives for his first day at Eton College on September 8, 2026 in Berkshire, England. (Photo by Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
As Prince George embarks on his new journey at Eton College, Kate Middleton is adjusting to life without her eldest son. The Princess of Wales was spotted expressing her emotions about Prince George’s departure during a recent visit to a shopping center in Hoveton, England.
Kate Middleton Shares Her Sentiments
During her public appearance, which was part of her role as a patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Kate revealed to those present that she has been missing George. A shopper at the event shared with Hello! that she looked forward to welcoming him home for the school break. “She said she’s looking forward to George coming home, she’s missed him,” the shopper recounted. Reports also suggest that the family might plan a trip during the break.
In an interaction with a young child at the event who mentioned it was his last day of school before the half-term break, Kate responded, “My children break up tomorrow and I can’t wait to have them all home.”
Prince George’s New Chapter at Eton College
Prince George officially started at Eton College on September 8. This prestigious institution holds a legacy in the royal family, as both Prince William and Prince Harry attended the same school. A spokesperson from Kensington Palace confirmed that George will continue the family tradition at Eton, which counts his father and uncle among its notable alumni.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield has noted that George’s primary challenge may not be academics, but rather managing his privacy among classmates in the age of social media. “The biggest challenge won’t be academics or making friends. It’ll be balancing Prince George’s privacy with the reality that every classmate has TikTok,” Schofield stated, pointing out the dramatic shift in social dynamics since William and Harry’s time at the school.
The Transition to Full-Time Boarding
Having previously attended Lambrook School, where he experienced part-time boarding, George is now adjusting to full-time life at Eton. This transition entails adhering to strict rules about punctuality and maintaining academic standards. Unlike the comforts of royal life, at Eton, he will inhabit a study-bedroom similar to those of his classmates, which emphasizes self-discipline and responsibility as outlined on the school’s website.
According to Eton’s guidelines, “From the very beginning, each boy has his own study-bedroom: there are no shared rooms. Boys thus have their own private space and are required to organize themselves and to develop self-discipline in meeting tasks and deadlines.” As he navigates this new chapter and settles into the routine of a full-time boarder, it is certain that Prince George will miss his family just as they miss him.
