For years and years, whenever anyone spoke about Prince William and Kate’s laziness, we were huffily told that they are “hands-on parents” who prioritize their children’s school runs. That worked for a while, but that excuse is already wearing thin, as more royal experts and royal commentators speak openly about William and Kate needing to do more, travel more, be seen out and about more. The current drama is Kate’s upcoming absence from the Singapore Earthshot Awards in November. The official excuse is that Kate is staying home to “support” George as he takes some kind of important test. The excuses came thick and fast: George has to take this test because something something he’s going to Eton! For years, Kate has gotten “her way” on her kids’ education, but they’re getting to the age where royal protocol demands that the kids go to boarding school. Kate really thought she could keep up the “I have to do the school run” excuse until Louis left for university.

Apparently, Prince William and Princess Kate have argued for a long time over whether Prince George, 10, should attend Eton College, where his dad and uncle Prince Harry were pupils in their school days.

“Kate thinks sending him to such a stuffy, upper-crust institution goes against all of their efforts to modernise the monarchy. Plus, she’ll miss George desperately,” a source said (via OK! US). “She and William argued about it for years, but he has finally won.”

However, George himself is reportedly happy about the move, which may happen when he is old enough to attend the institution. “He wants to be just like his father,” the source said, adding that though Kate “finally gave in, she’s still heartbroken.”

Another reason for the Princess’ reluctance was her own bad experience at boarding school. “She was horribly bullied at her first boarding school, and can’t bear the thought of George suffering through that,” the source continued.

They pointed out that George will easily be able to visit home since he’ll be living close by, but said that this wasn’t quite enough to convince the Princess of Wales.

“There’s also the worry that William will insist the other two kids be shipped out next,” the source said. “Kate knows this is all part of her ‘royal duty,’ but there’s a lot of tension between her and her husband right now.”

[From Marie Claire UK]

Yeah, I genuinely believe that William and Kate have fought about the kids’ education, and I believe that Kate doesn’t want to send any of the kids to boarding school, ever. This is why Kate largely got “her way” on the kids’ early education, because eventually the institution would put its foot down and say that George has to go to Eton, period, the end. The trade-off might be that Charlotte and Louis don’t have to go to boarding school, but it will be interesting to see that play out in real time. Kate has made it perfectly clear that she’s going to use her kids as her biggest excuse for not working until they’re all in their 20s.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images, Backgrid.

Princess Charlotte and Prince George during the mens’ finals on Day 14 at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Club, London, UK, 16 July 2023,Image: 789502286, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: World Rights, Model Release: no, Credit line: Peter van den Berg / Avalon

Tennis : Wimbledon 2023 – Angleterre – Finale simple Messieurs- Victoire de Carlos Alcaraz Espagne contre Novak Djokovic Serbie – Royal Box – Prince William, Prince George et Preincesse Charlotte regardent la remise de prix faite par la Princesse de Galles,Image: 789705568, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic / Panoramic / Avalon

Britain’s Prince William, and Kate, the Princess of Wales, speak to young people as they participate in a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action at Factory Works in Birmingham, England, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. The Prince and Princess host the forum for young people on World Mental Health Day.,Image: 812603143, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty Wigglesworth / Avalon

Marseille, FRANCE – Prince William, Prince of Wales and his son Prince George attend the Rugby World Cup 2023 Quater final match Wales Vs Argentina in Marseille. Pictured: Prince William, Prince George BACKGRID USA 14 OCTOBER 2023 BYLINE MUST READ: Best Image / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / UK: +44 208 344 2007 / *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*

Marseille, FRANCE – Prince William, Prince of Wales and his son Prince George attend the Rugby World Cup 2023 Quater final match Wales Vs Argentina in Marseille. Pictured: Prince George, Prince William BACKGRID USA 14 OCTOBER 2023 BYLINE MUST READ: Best Image / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / UK: +44 208 344 2007 / *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*

The Prince of Wales and Prince George watch from the box during day four of the second Ashes test match at Lord’s. Featuring: Prince William, Prince George Where: London, United Kingdom When: 01 Jul 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

The Prince and Princess of Wales during the Out-Sourcing Inc Royal Charity Polo Cup 2023 at Guards Polo Club, Windsor, which raises funds and awareness for eleven charities supported by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William Where: Windsor, United Kingdom When: 06 Jul 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

Prince William, Catherine Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George attend day fourteen of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Featuring: Prince William, Catherine Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George Where: London, United Kingdom When: 16 Jul 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales during a visit to the Car-Y-Mor seaweed farm in St Davids, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, west Wales. Featuring: Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Haverfordwest, United Kingdom When: 08 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

The Prince and Princess of Wales during their visit to the We Are Farming Minds Charity at Kings Pitt Farm in Hereford. Featuring: Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Hereford, United Kingdom When: 14 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Factory Works in Birmingham to mark World Mental Health Day. Featuring: William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Birmingham, United Kingdom When: 10 Oct 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre to take part in a SportsAid mental fitness workshop Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales Where: Marlow, United Kingbom When: 12 Oct 2023 Credit: John Rainford/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE UK**