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Princess Beatrice and Prince William at school, Kate at her graduation© Getty

Where the British royals went to school and university

See where the likes of King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales were educated 

Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Updated: August 17, 2024
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The royals have had an elite education and have attended some of the best and most prestigious schools and universities across the UK, including St Andrews and Cambridge.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex both began their education at London-based nurseries but later boarded at Eton College. The Berkshire-based school, which educates boys aged between 13 and 18, has a number of high-profile alumni, including former British prime ministers, Boris Johnson and David Cameron.

And of course, St Andrews is where William met his future wife, the then-Kate Middleton, while his cousin, Lady Louise Windsor began studying at the university in 2022. 

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Find out more about the royal family's education, including which members took a gap year and who has the best academic qualifications...

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Princess Elizabeth studying at her desk in 1940© Getty

Queen Elizabeth II

The late Queen and her sister Princess Margaret were educated at home by Marion Crawford. Neither had any formal qualifications, though the Queen was fluent in French. They were the last of the royal family to be educated at home.

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Charles at Trinity College, Cambridge University, in 1967© Getty

King Charles

At the age of eight, King Charles briefly attended Hill House School, before entering Cheam School just six months later, where he remained for five years. The late Queen's eldest son then went to Gordonstoun, a Scottish public school where he took his GCE O-levels at age sixteen and passed six of them.

In 1967, Charles attended Cambridge, reading history, archaeology, anthropology. The then Prince of Wales graduated with a 2:2 degree in 1970, and marked the first university degree achieved by a British royal or heir to the throne.

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Prince William On His First Day At Eton College© Getty

Prince William

After attending London's Jane Mynors' nursery school and Ludgrove School as a child, William then went on to study at Eton College in 1995, becoming the first senior member of royal family to go there.

The heir to the throne graduated with A-levels in geography, biology and history of art alongside 12 GCSEs. The father-of-three also attended the University of St Andrews in Scotland, after taking a gap year, he graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 in geography.

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Prince Harry's first day at school in 1987© Getty

Prince Harry

Prince Harry began his education at Wetherby School and Ludgrove School. Like his brother, he graduated from Eton, although he chose not to go to university but to complete ten months of officer commissioning training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Harry served in the Army for ten years, rising to the rank of Captain and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan. He continues to work in support of his fellow servicemen, promoting support for wounded men and women as they adapt to life post-injury.

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A young Meghan Markle's school photo - she sits in a white shirt© Netflix

Meghan Markle

The former actress was educated at private schools before attending Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles.

Meghan received a bachelor's degree in Theatre and International Studies from Northwestern University School of Communication. Alongside her degree, Meghan completed an internship at the American embassy in Buenos Aires and studied for one term in Spain.

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Prince George in school uniform with Princess Kate© Pool

Prince George

The eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales started attending Westacre Montessori School Nursery in Norfolk in 2016, before moving on to Thomas's Battersea in September 2017. 

Following the family's move to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, George and his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, enrolled at Lambrook preparatory school in Berkshire.

Lambrook educates boys and girls from ages three to 13 and boasts a nine-hole golf course, a 25-metre swimming pool, and a large sports hall.

George will move schools when he is 13 - Eton College and Marlborough College are among the choices he may go to.

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Princess Charlotte shakes headteacher's hand on first day at school© Getty

Princess Charlotte

Like her big brother, Princess Charlotte studied at Thomas's Battersea before moving onto Lambrook School. The royal previously attended the private Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, close to the family's London residence, Kensington Palace. 

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Prince Louis at Lambrook school© Getty

Prince Louis

William and Kate's youngest child, Prince Louis, began his education in the same week as his third birthday in April 2021. The royal previously attend Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, but like his siblings, he is now a pupil at Lambrook.

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Princess Beatrice attends her first day at St George's© Getty

Princess Beatrice

Beatrice began her education at Upton House School, followed by Coworth Park and St George's Schools. The royal then studied at Goldsmiths, University of London and graduated with a 2:1 degree in history and the history of ideas.

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Princess Eugenie's first day at Upton House School© Getty

Princess Eugenie

Princess Eugenie  began her schooling at Winkfield Montessori from 1992 to 1993. From there, she joined her sister at Upton House School in Windsor. She also attended Coworth Park School and then St George's School, near Windsor Castle until 2003.

For the next five years, Eugenie boarded at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she achieved two As and a B in art, English Literature and history of art.

Eugenie studied at Newcastle University graduating in 2012 with a 2:1 degree in English literature, history of art and politics. She is said to have the best academic grades among the current British royals. 

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Lady Louise at horse show © Getty Images

Lady Louise Windsor

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's eldest daughter is currently following in the footsteps of William and Kate by attending St Andrews University, where the 20-year-old is studying English literature.

Before this, Lady Lousie studied at St George's School Windsor Castle, like her cousins, Beatrice and Eugenie, before moving onto St Mary's School Ascot, where she graduated with A-levels in English, history, politics and drama. The royal's GCSE grades were never made public, with Buckingham Palace saying that it was a "private matter".

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A teenage Prince Anne with other students© Bob Haswell

Princess Anne

Princess Anne attended Benenden School, leaving with six GCE O-levels and three A-levels. The Princess Royal requested that she be treated as any other student during her time at the school, which meant making her own bed, washing the dishes and waiting on tables.

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Prince Edward on his 21st birthday at Cambridge University© Getty

Prince Edward

Prince Edward attended Gordonstoun, enrolled for two terms at the Wanganui Collegiate School in Wanganui, New Zealand where he served as a house tutor and oversaw drama classes. In 1986 the royal received a BA degree from Jesus College, Cambridge.

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Prince Andrew at Heatherdown Preparatory School© Bettmann

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew attended Heatherdown Preparatory School before enrolling at Gordonstoun, where he achieved six O-levels and three A-levels.

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Peter Phillips At Port Regis School© Getty

Peter Phillips

Princess Anne's eldest child was sent to Port Regis Prep School in Shaftesbury, Dorset, before following in some of his family's footsteps by attending Gordonstoun School in Scotland. Peter later studied for a degree in Sports Science at the University of Exeter.

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Zara Phillips at Gordonstoun School in 1990© Getty

Zara Tindall

Peter's younger sister had a very similar education. She attended Beaudesert Park School in Stroud, Gloucestershire before joining Peter at Port Regis School in Dorset and then Gordonstoun (as pictured above). She later completed a degree in physiotherapy from the University of Exeter.

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