Prince Harry’s arrival at Eton College in 1998 marked a particularly difficult transition in his young life. The Duke of Sussex, now 41, entered the prestigious all-boys boarding school just a year after his mother Princess Diana’s death, a time that compounded the emotional challenges of his adjustment to the institution.According to People magazine, Harry hoped his older brother, Prince William, could help ease his transition into the school environment. Instead, Harry faced a reaction that would be a source of anguish for years to come. In his 2023 memoir ‘Spare’, Harry described how William told him to publicly distance himself at school by “pretending I didn’t know him”.
Prince Harry’s difficult adjustment to Eton College
In his memoirs, Harry describes his experience starting at Eton as a “deep shock”. Harry explained William’s view of the situation. “He was building his own life, and he wasn’t willing to give it up,” Harry wrote, acknowledging that his brother had already established himself at school and was unwilling to change that established position by openly admitting his younger sibling.
How Prince Harry Coped During His School Years
Instead of withdrawing completely, Harry found an outlet that would sustain him throughout his years at the institution. Sports became his main refuge during this difficult period of adjustment and mental recovery. Harry grew up participating in a range of athletic pursuits, including rugby, soccer, cricket and polo, all of which provided him with physical activity and mental relief.
Prince William and Kate Middleton chose Eton for Prince George
The dynamic of Harry’s experience at Eton has taken on new significance with the recent announcement that Prince William and Kate Middleton’s eldest son, Prince George, will attend the same school. On June 16, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince George would enroll at Eton in September, ending years of speculation about where the prince would pursue his secondary education.The decision surprised some royal watchers who speculated that Prince William and Kate might choose a more contemporary school for their son. However, the couple ultimately decided that Eton, the school that shaped Prince William, 43, would be the perfect choice for Prince George, who is second in line to the throne.
Prince George’s encouragement to follow in his father’s footsteps
Despite the option of alternative schools, Prince George himself appears to have favored his father’s path. According to a source, the Prince has expressed his desire to attend Eton. “George always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps,” the insider revealed, adding that Prince William’s positive experiences at school influenced his son’s outlook on education and his future role, despite the complications of his relationship with his brother during those years.
