Prince William and Princess Kate have a pivotal year ahead in 2026, with significant changes on the horizon for their eldest son, Prince George, who turns 13 on July 22. This milestone marks his official entry into teenage years and a major transition in his education, as he prepares to leave primary school and begin secondary education in September.

Currently, Prince George attends Lambrook School in Berkshire alongside his siblings, Princess Charlotte (10) and Prince Louis (7). Lambrook is a co-educational day school where the Wales children have enjoyed a relatively normal routine since 2022, commuting from their home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. However, Lambrook only educates up to age 13, so George will move on after the summer term. Royal experts describe this as a “big transition” and “defining moment,” with William and Kate carefully planning the next step to ensure it supports his future role while prioritizing his well-being.

The most speculated options for George’s secondary school are Eton College (the all-boys boarding school where Prince William and Prince Harry studied) and Marlborough College (Kate’s alma mater, a co-educational boarding school in Wiltshire). Both are prestigious, costing around £60,000 per year, with strong alumni networks—including politicians, actors, and royals. William has reportedly visited both, and sources suggest the decision involves George himself, focusing on a school that offers outdoor learning, strong pastoral care, and a balance between academics and normal teenage life. Many insiders lean toward Eton due to tradition and proximity to Windsor, though Marlborough would allow a co-ed environment like Lambrook. The palace is expected to announce the choice close to the start date—possibly as late as summer 2026—to minimize media scrutiny and protect George’s privacy, following the pattern set with Lambrook’s reveal just weeks before term began.

Beyond school, 2026 brings growing exposure to royal duties. George has already shown confidence in public: attending events like the Festival of Remembrance with Kate, helping at charity lunches, and appearing at Trooping the Colour. Experts predict more official engagements as he acclimatizes to his future as heir, guided gently by his parents who emphasize normality amid royal expectations. William and Kate aim to keep his childhood “as ordinary as possible” for as long as they can, avoiding overwhelming pressure while preparing him thoughtfully.

The year also holds family-wide significance: potential overseas trips (including to the US for the 250th anniversary of independence or the FIFA World Cup, where George, a soccer fan, might join), expanded royal roles for William and Kate (such as issuing Royal Warrants starting spring 2026), and continued focus on causes like mental health and early childhood. Amid King Charles’s health recovery and the monarchy’s evolution, the Wales family navigates these changes with poise.

Overall, 2026 represents a bridge from childhood to adolescence for George—a carefully managed step toward his destined path as future king, balanced by loving, protective parenting from William and Kate.