Is Prince George set to attend top secondary school that produces climate champions amid concerns that £47,000-a-year Marlborough College has become ‘too flashy’?
It prides itself on producing students who are both ‘Climate Champions’ and ‘decent, ambitious… but never arrogant’.
Now, music to the ears of green campaigner King Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales have added Oundle School to their top choices for their eldest son Prince George’s secondary education.
During their search for the best school, they visited their alma maters: William’s Eton and Kate’s Marlborough College.
But Oundle, a £34,000-a-year co-educational school in north Northamptonshire, is now a frontrunner.
It dates back to 1556 but has a modern ethos and boasts on its website: ‘We have a responsibility to ensure that every member of the school community takes both individual and collective action towards environmental sustainability.’
Prince George (pictured) attends the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on December 25
The Prince and Princess of Wales have added Oundle School (pictured) to their top choices for their eldest son Prince George’s secondary education
In December, George, ten, and his parents visited Marlborough, where Kate’s siblings Pippa and James were also educated. It is clear that George was given a ‘house’ in a secure location and a caretaker if he took up a place.
But it is said there are concerns that Marlborough has become ‘too flashy’ after a rise in popularity with ultra-wealthy families due to its association with the Middletons.
“The 2024 version of Marlborough could be very different from how Kate remembers it,” says a source. ‘It’s become a bit more jet-setting. Many parents have villas in Ibiza, chalets in Verbier or a private jet, which is not Kate’s style. She prefers understated wealth.”
Oundle says: ‘We encourage aspiration and abhor arrogance, fostering an open mind, authentic self-confidence and a sense of service.’
A key benefit is that, like Marlborough, all Welsh children would be able to attend the co-educational school, an arrangement their safeguarding team reportedly prefers.
William was initially keen to send George to Eton, a few miles from Windsor, but it is only boys. One consideration is whether George would feel comfortable at Oundle from the age of 11.
A source said: ‘Kate wants a school that suits all her children and keeps them grounded.’
Oundle and Kensington Palace were contacted for comment.