James Middleton Sends Heartfelt Two-Word Tribute as Prince George Begins Secondary School at Eton
As 13-year-old Prince George entered the gates of Eton College this week to follow in the educational footsteps of his father and uncle, family members took to social media to celebrate the milestone. Leading the tributes from the Middleton family was the Princess of Wales’ younger brother, James Middleton, who offered a concise message of encouragement.
Following Kensington Palace’s official release of portraits featuring George in Eton’s traditional uniform, James commented simply: “Big day ❤️”. The post also drew affection from members of the family’s trusted inner circle, including Princess Catherine’s former personal assistant and stylist, who wrote, “Oh G! ❤️”.
National leadership echoed the sentiment, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Andy Burnham stating that the government “would wish them all well as they embark on the next chapter of their journey”.
Inside George’s Life at Eton College
Upon arriving at the Berkshire boarding school on Tuesday, George was formally received beneath the historic Lupton’s Tower by Headmaster Simon Henderson and Provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge. Henderson greeted the future monarch with words of advice: “Welcome, good luck, enjoy it.”
-
Boarding Life in Year 9: Entering Year 9, George will reside in his own single room outfitted with a bed, desk, and personal storage shelves. While rooms expand as pupils advance, independent living remains a core tenet of the school experience.
-
Academic and Sporting Rigor: The curriculum features six-day academic scheduling—including Saturday morning classes—balanced with extensive athletics across 19 cricket pitches, fencing, rowing, water polo, and hockey.
-
Centuries-Old Slang: Students quickly adapt to Eton’s distinctive vernacular, where teachers are termed Beaks, housemistresses are called Dames, terms are known as Halves, and athletes are divided into Dry Bobs (land sports) or Wet Bobs (rowing and water sports).
-
Close to Home: Despite the boarding routine, the Prince and Princess of Wales reside nearby at Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, leaving the family just a 20-minute drive away.
