Prince George’s Eton Portraits Echo Prince William’s Young Days

Prince George’s first Eton portraits recreate a familiar setting from Prince William’s youth, quietly linking their school days across three decades.

September 10, 2026

Prince George Begins a New Chapter at Eton

Prince George has officially begun life at Eton College, and his first official portraits from the prestigious boarding school carry an unexpected connection to his father. The 13-year-old prince was photographed in Eton’s traditional uniform shortly after arriving for his first day, with the images captured in locations that will look very familiar to royal watchers.

The photographs were taken by Matt Porteous, a photographer who frequently works with the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family. While the portraits mark an important milestone for George, they also create a subtle visual link to Prince William, who attended Eton more than three decades earlier.

Credit: Matt Porteous / Kensington Palace; Pool Photograph/Corbis

The Portraits Recreate William’s Eton Setting

George’s new photographs were taken in the Eton schoolyard in the same areas where William was photographed for his 18th birthday portraits. Both father and son were pictured leaning against one of the columns of the historic Lower School, while another image shows them walking through the Fourth Form Passage.

The Lower School itself dates back centuries, with its foundation laid in 1441. Seeing George photographed in the same setting his father once occupied gives the new images a distinctly nostalgic quality, especially as William’s own time at Eton remains an important part of his personal story.

George Wears Eton’s Iconic Uniform

The new portraits also offer the clearest look yet at George in Eton’s distinctive school uniform. His outfit consists of a black tailcoat, waistcoat, pin-striped trousers, and a white collar, marking a sharp change from the more casual clothes he wore when he first arrived on campus.

George initially attended his first day in what Eton calls “home clothes,” wearing a dark blazer, trousers, shirt, tie, and brown shoes. He later changed into the formal uniform for the portraits and the rest of his school routine.

William Had More Freedom With His Uniform

While George’s uniform is the standard look for a first-year student, his father’s 18th birthday portraits showed a more personalized version. By the time William reached that age, he had become a “Pop,” a senior Eton student with a leadership position that came with certain privileges.

One of those privileges allowed William to wear a colorful waistcoat. In his birthday portraits, he chose a blue-and-gold version, while he also became known for another waistcoat featuring the Union Jack. George is years away from that stage, but the visual comparison highlights how much can change during an Eton career.

Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library

George Is Following Directly in His Father’s Footsteps

George’s decision to attend Eton represents one of the clearest examples of him following his father’s educational path. William began at the school in 1995 at the same age George is now, making their first days there remarkably similar in timing as well as setting.

The parallel has added extra attention to George’s transition. His parents accompanied him for the milestone, just as William was accompanied by his own parents when he started at Eton, creating another generational connection around the school.

Eton Played an Important Role in William’s Life

William’s experience at Eton became especially significant because of the circumstances surrounding his teenage years. He arrived at the school following the separation of his parents, and his mother, Princess Diana, died during his time there.

Despite those difficult events, William found stability through his school environment, his friendships, and his relationship with housemaster Andrew Gailey. He has previously been described as having thrived at Eton, where he developed relationships that remained meaningful well beyond his school years.

Prince Harry Had a Very Different Experience

George is not the only member of the immediate royal family to have attended Eton. Prince Harry started at the school three years after William and later described feeling overwhelmed by its traditions and demanding uniform requirements.

Harry recalled in his memoir Spare that getting dressed for school initially felt confusing because of the layers and unusual details involved. That experience contrasts with William’s more positive memories and highlights how differently members of the same family can experience the same institution.

Credit: Matt Porteous / Kensington Palace

George’s First Days Have Been Closely Documented

George’s move to Eton is a major moment for the Wales family and has naturally attracted considerable attention. His parents accompanied him onto campus, where he met Eton’s headmaster Simon Henderson and provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge before settling into his new surroundings.

Although George is now entering a much more independent stage of his education, he will remain relatively close to his family home in Windsor. His parents have previously emphasized the importance of giving their children a stable environment, and Eton’s location allows George to return home on designated weekends and holidays.

His New School Is Steeped in Tradition

Eton’s traditions extend well beyond its famous uniform. First-year students, known as members of “F Block,” are introduced to a highly structured school environment, including its distinctive terminology, house system, and customs.

George will also have opportunities to develop his own identity within the school. Although his position as a future king inevitably makes his experience different from that of most students, the daily routines and expectations of Eton will still form an important part of his teenage years.

A Father-Son Connection Captured in One Set of Photos

The similarities between George’s portraits and William’s 18th birthday photographs are unlikely to be accidental in their emotional effect. They provide a quiet visual reminder that the future king is entering a chapter his father knows intimately.

For William, Eton was a formative period that helped shape his friendships, confidence, and sense of independence. For George, those years are only beginning, but the new photographs already make the connection between father and son remarkably clear.

Credit : Matt Porteous / Kensington Palace; Tim Graham Photo Library

Final Thoughts

Prince George’s first Eton portraits are more than simple school photographs. By placing the future king in the same settings where Prince William was photographed decades earlier, they create a subtle connection between two generations of the royal family.

George now has the opportunity to build his own memories at Eton, but these first images suggest that his father’s experience will remain an important part of the story.

FAQs

How old is Prince George as he starts Eton?

Prince George is 13 years old and began his first year at Eton College in September 2026.

Why are Prince George’s Eton photos significant?

The portraits were taken in the same locations where Prince William posed for photographs around his 18th birthday, creating a striking visual connection between father and son.

What does Prince George wear at Eton?

George wears Eton’s traditional uniform, including a black tailcoat, waistcoat, pin-striped trousers, and a white collar.

Did Prince William attend Eton College?

Yes. Prince William attended Eton beginning in 1995, starting at the same age as his son.

Did Prince Harry also attend Eton?

Yes. Prince Harry followed William to Eton three years later and attended the school from 1998.