Princess Kate braces for ‘testing year’ as Prince George nears teenage milestone and school move
Princess Kate and Prince William are preparing for what has been described as a demanding year at home, with Prince George approaching his teenage years and a switch to secondary school expected in September. The Prince and Princess of Wales have long aimed to give George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as private and normal a childhood as possible, but the next stage of George’s education is set to bring fresh pressures.
The Mirror reported that former BBC royal correspondent Ms Jennie Bond believes George’s move to secondary school—amid speculation that Eton College and Marlborough College are under consideration—could make 2026 a particularly “testing year” for the family as they navigate privacy, growing independence and the realities of raising children in the public eye.
In comments cited in the report, Ms Bond said the Waleses’ approach to shielding their children may have been reinforced by recent public discussion about the pressures faced by those who grow up in the spotlight. She also suggested that everyday parenting challenges, such as debates over boundaries and technology, can be amplified for royal children because any lapse in behaviour would attract outsized attention.
The family’s efforts to ring-fence private time have featured in previous coverage, including when Princess Kate drew attention during a Scotland visit while balancing public duties with family life.
George has been gradually introduced to more formal occasions as his future role comes into view, while Charlotte and Louis may ultimately have more choice over the shape of their adult lives. As George’s teenage years begin and a new school term approaches, the Waleses’ focus appears to remain on protecting routine and stability as the children take on more visible roles.
