Prince William and Princess Catherine face ‘real dilemma’ over Prince George’s future

Prince William and Princess Catherine are reportedly at odds over a major decision surrounding Prince George as father and son enjoyed a night at the soccer. Watch the video.

It appears as though Prince William and Princess Catherine have opposing views on which school their eldest son, Prince George, should enrol in next.

The future king, 11, kickstarted the hunt for his next school earlier this year and has reportedly paid a visit to several renowned schools in and around London.

The Princess of Wales recently joined her eldest son on a tour of her old school, Marlborough College, in Wiltshire.

Princess Catherine and Prince William have a choice to make over Prince George’s future. Picture: AFP

Prince George also toured Eton College — William and his estranged brother Prince Harry’s former school that has long been a popular choice among royals, politicians and aristocrats.

“It’s the talk of the school, and of the parents,” a royal insider told the Daily Mail. The outlet adds that the decision has become a “real dilemma” for the Waleses.

While Prince William is reportedly keen for George, who turns 12 in July, to follow in his footsteps by attending theA$130,000-per-year school, it appears as though Princess Catherine has other ideas.

Prince William, the heir to the throne, had a great experience at the school, however Prince Harry detailed a completely different experience in his bombshell 2023 memoir, Spare.

Prince George has been touring schools. Picture: AFP

The former working royal, who now lives in Montecito, Calif., with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, admitted he struggled with poor grades at the school.

His disappointing academic experience prompted him to skip university and head straight to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The Duke of Sussex wrote that Eton was “heaven for brilliant boys, it could thus only be purgatory for one very unbrilliant boy.”

Eton College is located a short distance away from the family's home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park.

Still, despite Prince William’s rumoured desire for George to become an Eton boy, one of the school’s senior administrators has said that he will not be bending the rules for anyone — even the royals.

Eton College, where Prince William and Prince Harry went. Picture: iStock

“I find myself receiving a torrent of letters and emails from friends of friends, hinting that they hope I can help them secure a place for their sons or grandsons,” Sir Nicholas Coleridge wrote in the Spectator.

“There is a rigorous admissions system here, run with integrity, and it is awkward when the prospective boy hasn’t caught the selector’s eye.”

The young royal has also additionally toured two other schools in North London, including Highgate School.

It’s reported that the school’s “world class” theatre department attracted the Princess of Wales to the school, but its 30-mile distance from Windsor could be seen as problematic for the family.

The future king currently attends the same prep school as his younger siblings, sister Princess Charlotte, 9, and brother Prince Louis, 6.

WILLIAM, GEORGE SURPRISE CROWD AT SOCCER MATCH

It comes as Prince William and Prince George surprised spectators when they were in the crowd at a soccer match in Paris.

The Prince of Wales couldn’t miss a chance to support his favourite team – Aston Villa – and was seen alongside his eldest son in the stands at Parc des Princes stadium watching the match against Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday (AEST).

George, 11, and his siblings, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, are on a school break ahead of Easter and, although it was just father and son on this occasion, the Prince and Princess of Wales make a point of spending quality time with their children while on school break.

Coincidentally, or not, the trip came as Prince Harry appeared in a London court for the second day of a hearing into security arrangements for when he and his family visit the UK.

Prince George and Prince William in the stands of the Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes stadium. Picture: AP

George is often seen alongside his father at football games. Picture: Getty Images

Prince George is on school holidays ahead of Easter. Picture: AP

The young prince has often been seen alongside his father at a soccer match and seems to be just as supportive as his dad of Aston Villa.

The Premier League Club however ended up losing to PSG, 3-1, with William quick to respond on social media.

“A big night in the Champions League under the lights. Not the result we wanted but it’s not over yet? Bring on the second leg at Villa Park! UTV,” the royal posted on his official Instagram account.

William has previously described his son as being “part of the pride” – a phrase Villa supporters use to describe their team’s followers.

William has revealed that he even resorts to superstitious practices to boost his team’s chances. Picture: Getty

Prince William said he loves the “emotional rollercoaster moments”. Picture: AFP

He revealed he became an Aston Villa fan while at school because he didn’t want to “follow the crowd”.

“A long time ago at school, I got into football big time,” he said in 2015.

“I was looking around for clubs. All my friends at school were either Man United or Chelsea fans, and I didn’t want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams.

“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments,” he told the Birmingham Mail in 2015.

“I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa, and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000. It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and I really felt that there was something I could connect with.”

William says he hopes his other children will find a football team to support too. Picture: AP

Prince William said he became an Aston Villa fan while at school because he didn’t want to “follow the crowd”. Picture: AP

William, centre, and George watch intently in the stands. Picture: AP

Last month, William revealed to The Sun that he even resorted to superstitious practices involving his three children to boost Villa’s chances.

“If we’re not doing very well, I start moving round the house quite quickly and I put the children in different positions hoping that’s going to change our luck,” he said.

As for which soccer teams his offspring support, the father-of-three said he hopes they’ll find their own teams in time.

“They don’t all have to be Villa fans,” he said.

“I’m trying not to be biased but obviously they see how passionate I am about it and they watch the matches with me. I’m trying to spread the love a little bit.

“They do have Villa shirts, and ask to come to games with me, but they have other shirts as well. There’s been a bit of courting going on by other managers too,” he added.

Originally published as Prince William and Princess Catherine face ‘real dilemma’ over Prince George’s future