We have always wondered how Royal families pass down responsibility and tradition to their successors, and while most of us might anticipate a set of formal lessons. Often, it’s something much simpler, over a shared cup of tea, a regular chat, a small ritual repeated over the years that slowly influences how a future monarch understands duty.With Prince George now beginning a major new chapter of his life at one of Britain’s most historic schools, he will follow the same path that his father, Prince William, walked decades ago.
10 Sept 2026 | 12:19
What’s one thing you swore you’l never do as a parent now you find yourself doing?
According to a former royal butler, King Charles may look to revive this very tradition with his grandson, using it as a gentle, familiar way to prepare George for what lies ahead.
Prince George set to go to Eton College following father William’s path
Prince George has stepped into a new phase of his life after joining Eton College, following the same path his father, Prince William, took at the same age of 13. King Charles may be preparing to revive an old family tradition to help support George through this transition, which also played an important role in William’s own upbringing.When William was a student at Eton, he regularly visited his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, for tea whenever she was staying at Windsor.According to the UK Mirror, Grant Harrold, who served as a royal butler to King Charles (then Prince of Wales) between 2004 and 2011, believes Charles may look to recreate something similar with George. According to Harrold, “I imagine the King will possibly try to recreate the afternoon tea routine that his mother and son shared with his grandson. Whenever he is in Windsor, I imagine he will make an effort to see George. He will want to know how he’s getting on at school, and also to start preparing him for the future.”Harrold, who now works as a royal etiquette expert, added that Charles is well aware of the pressures George may face growing up. According to Harrold, “He understands better than anyone the challenges George will face as the future King going through the difficult teenage years. He’s a very caring man, and he loves his family dearly, so he will want to help his grandson in any way he can, even if that’s just being an understanding ear.“
King Charles went to a different school from William and George
Interestingly, Charles’s own schooling experience was quite different. Unlike William and George, Charles attended Gordonstoun School in a remote part of north-east Scotland, at the insistence of his father, Prince Philip, making him the first heir apparent to be formally schooled rather than privately tutored.
How did William’s experience with Queen Elizabeth unfold?
Describing the scenario of Prince William’s visits with the Queen may have looked like, Harrold explained that arrangements were kept low-key, saying, “One of her (the Queen’s) staff would have driven to the school to pick him up. It wouldn’t have been a fancy ride in one of the big cars; it would have been very low-key and similar to any other parents picking their child up for a day out on their day off, but of course with a far fancier destination.“Harrold believes these visits weren’t just personal but also served as informal preparation for royal duty. According to Harrold, “I believe it was in these sessions that she unofficially and subtly began to prep him for his role as the future King… She also would have been offering him bits of advice.”
