The Princes took a different path to their father
The Prince of Wales became the first senior royal to attend Eton College when he enrolled at the prestigious Berkshire boarding school in 1995 – and in doing so, he broke a royal precedent.
The King followed in the late Duke of Edinburgh’s footsteps and attended Gordonstoun School in Moray, Scotland in the 1960s.
His younger brothers, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, are also former pupils, along with Princess Anne’s children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall.
It’s been widely reported that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip favoured sending their children to Gordonstoun as it afforded the royals a greater degree of privacy than the private schools situated closer to London could.
But when it came down to Prince William and Prince Harry’s education, Charles and his late ex-wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, chose Eton College instead, and it’s said to be down to Charles’ experiences at his boarding school.
It’s been long reported that Charles did not enjoy his time at Gordonstoun and is said to have struggled to cope in the tough environment.
According to claims by Prince Harry in his memoir, Spare, Charles was “horrendously bullied”.
“The most likely victims of Gordonstoun bullies, [my father] said, were creative types, sensitive types, bookish types – in other words, Pa,” Harry wrote. “His finest qualities were bait for the toughs. I remember him murmuring ominously: I nearly didn’t survive.”
However, in a speech to launch his charity, The Prince’s Trust, in 1975, Charles told the House of Lords of Gordonstoun: “It was only tough in the sense that it demanded more of you as an individual than most other schools did mentally or physically.
“I am lucky in that I believe it taught me a great deal about myself and my own abilities and disabilities. It taught me to accept challenges and take the initiative. Why else do you think I am brave enough to stand up before your Lordships now?”
In May it was announced that the King had become patron of the Gordonstoun Association, a role previously held by Prince Philip.
While William was the first senior royal to attend Eton College, there were also family connections to the boarding school on his mother’s side. Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, was also educated at Eton.
To combat press intrusion while his sons were at the school, Charles struck a deal with the media where William and Harry were afforded privacy in return for limited access at photo calls. Cameras only captured the Princes on their respective first days in 1995 and 1998.
The decision by the Princes to attend different schools than their father was a significant break from tradition within the royal family. While the Prince of Wales chose to enroll at Eton College in 1995, his father, the King, had attended Gordonstoun School in Scotland in the 1960s. The choice of school for the Princes was influenced by their parents, with Charles and Diana opting for Eton College based on Charles’ own negative experiences at Gordonstoun.It is well-documented that Charles did not have a positive time at Gordonstoun, with reports of him being bullied and struggling to cope in the demanding environment. In contrast, William and Harry were given the opportunity to attend Eton College, a decision that was likely influenced by Charles’ own experiences and desire to provide his sons with a different educational experience.Eton College had family connections on Diana’s side as well, with her brother also being educated at the prestigious school. To protect the privacy of their sons while at Eton, Charles made a deal with the media to limit access to William and Harry in exchange for privacy during key moments, such as their first days at the school.The decision to attend Eton College instead of following the Gordonstoun tradition was a significant departure for the royal family, showcasing a desire to break away from past experiences and provide a different educational environment for the next generation of royals. As patron of the Gordonstoun Association, the King continues to support the school that he attended, while also respecting the choices made by his sons in their education.Follow us for more updates on royal family decisions and traditions, as well as insights into the educational choices made by the Princes and their parents. Stay informed and engaged with the latest news and developments in the royal family to gain a better understanding of their decisions and motivations.
The decision by the Princes to attend different schools than their father was a significant deviation from royal tradition. While the Prince of Wales opted for Eton College in 1995, the King himself had attended Gordonstoun School in the 1960s. This shift in educational choices reflects a desire to break away from past experiences and provide a different learning environment for the next generation of royals.Charles’s negative experiences at Gordonstoun, where he reportedly endured bullying and challenges in the demanding atmosphere, likely influenced the decision to send William and Harry to Eton College. This prestigious school, which also had family connections on Diana’s side, offered a different educational experience for the Princes.To safeguard the privacy of their sons during their time at Eton, Charles negotiated limited media access in exchange for privacy during key moments such as their first days at school. This arrangement allowed the Princes to focus on their education without constant press intrusion.As the King continues to support Gordonstoun School as its patron, he also respects the choices made by his sons in their education. This evolution in royal education demonstrates a willingness to adapt and provide the best opportunities for the younger generation of royals.For more insights into royal family decisions and traditions, as well as updates on educational choices made by the Princes and their parents, follow us. Stay informed about the latest news and developments within the royal family to gain a deeper understanding of their motivations and decisions. Join us for more valuable information and inspire us to provide you with even more useful content.
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
