Why Prince George Won’t Be Staying in Eton’s Most Exclusive House

Prince George has officially begun one of the most important chapters of his young life, arriving at Eton College alongside Prince William and Princess Catherine as he starts five years at the prestigious boarding school.

At 13, the future King is following in the footsteps of both his father and uncle, Prince William and Prince Harry, who were also educated at Eton. But despite his royal status, George is not expected to have access to one particular house at the school — and the reason has nothing to do with his family.

The one Eton house George is unlikely to enter

Eton has 25 boarding houses, with roughly 55 pupils living in each. However, one stands apart from the rest.

Known simply as College, the house is reserved for the school’s “King’s Scholars” — pupils who have achieved the highest academic distinction and earned their place through an additional examination.

While the Waleses have not disclosed where George will live, he is expected to be an Oppidan, the term used for pupils who are not King’s Scholars. That would mean he would live in one of Eton’s other 24 houses rather than College.

His royal background does not automatically give him an exception to the school’s academic system.

Who chooses George’s house?

Although Prince William and Princess Catherine could potentially make a request based on family tradition or security considerations, the final allocation is expected to follow Eton’s normal process.

The school carefully considers how pupils are grouped, aiming to create houses with a balanced and harmonious mix of students.

That means George’s royal status is unlikely to determine where he lives.

For now, the exact house allocated to the young prince has not been publicly confirmed, with privacy and security likely to remain important considerations for the family.

What life inside Eton’s houses is like

Eton’s houses are not simply dormitories. Each has its own identity and history, shaped by the pupils and staff who live there.

The school describes each house as having its own distinct character.

Among the oldest Oppidan houses is Evans’s, which carries a particularly long history. Others are connected to important figures from Eton’s past.

Keate House, for example, dates back to 1788 and takes its name from Dr John Keate, Eton’s famously strict 19th-century Head Master.

Another is Angelo’s, named after Sophie Angelo, a legendary “Dame” who managed the property for 40 years. The house itself dates from around 1790.

For George, life at Eton will therefore involve much more than simply attending classes. He will become part of one of these long-established communities while living away from the family home in Windsor for the first time.

George’s father and uncle lived at Manor House

There is also a particularly strong family connection at Eton.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry stayed at Manor House during their time at the school. The property sits on the High Street, directly opposite Eton’s library.

William began at Eton in 1995, and photographs from his school years show him studying in his private dormitory room. One image captured the young prince seated at a large white desk beside a 1990s computer and keyboard, with a pinboard covered in notes and letters behind him.

George’s parents have not revealed whether he will follow his father and uncle by staying at Manor House. Given the security considerations surrounding the future King, his exact accommodation is likely to remain private.

William clearly made his mark at Eton. During his school years, he became part of “Pop,” the prestigious prefect society at the college.

Now, decades later, his eldest son is beginning the same Eton journey — but whether George will follow precisely in his father’s footsteps remains to be seen.