William and Kate ‘battled fear’ before sending son to Eton

The insider claimed: ‘There was also a significant amount of fear behind the scenes, as George’s circumstances are different to almost any other child. William and Kate have always been determined to give him the most grounded and normal upbringing possible, while recognizing that he is growing up under extraordinary supervision and with enormous expectations on his shoulders.

‘Finding a school that could provide academic excellence, safety, privacy and the opportunity to develop their own independence was incredibly important to them.

“They didn’t want to just pick a school because tradition pointed them in that direction. They wanted to make sure they had explored all options and made the decision that was truly best for George as an individual.”

Eton emerged as the frontrunner at the start of the current school year, sources say.

Marlborough College reportedly impressed both William and Kate during their visits, but Eton’s location near the family’s Windsor home, combined with William’s own positive experiences there in the 1990s, proved influential.

The choice also reflects the couple’s broader approach to raising their children. Since George’s birth, William and Kate have tried to balance royal tradition with a modern family life that places great emphasis on privacy, stability and close family relationships.