Royal Family Boarding Schools UK

A guide to prestigious British boarding schools attended by members of the Royal Family and what makes these institutions attractive to international families

The British Royal Family has a long association with some of the UK's most prestigious independent boarding schools. From Eton College in Berkshire to Gordonstoun in Scotland, royal education has often combined academic development with tradition, discipline, independence and preparation for public life.

For international families researching elite British boarding schools, these royal connections can provide useful insight into the heritage and character of particular institutions. However, a royal connection should not be treated as a guarantee of academic suitability or admission.

The strongest school choice remains one that matches the child's academic profile, personality, interests and long-term objectives.

Eton College

Eton College is one of the most prominent boarding schools associated with the British Royal Family.

Prince William and Prince Harry both attended Eton, and in September 2026 Prince George began his education there, following his father and uncle. Prince William was the first future British monarch to attend the school.

Founded in 1440, Eton is a boys' boarding school near Windsor with a highly selective admissions process and a long history of educating members of Britain's political, aristocratic and cultural establishment.

For international families, Eton can be an attractive option for academically strong boys who are suited to its distinctive boarding environment. However, parents should plan considerably ahead because its admissions process begins years before the intended entry date.

Gordonstoun School

Gordonstoun in Scotland has one of the deepest Royal Family connections of any British boarding school.

Prince Philip attended Gordonstoun, and he subsequently wanted his three sons to attend the school. King Charles III studied there from 1962 to 1967, while Prince Andrew and Prince Edward also attended. Prince Philip's grandchildren Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall were also educated there.

Gordonstoun is particularly distinctive for its emphasis on character development, outdoor activities, leadership and personal responsibility.

The school's history makes it an interesting choice for families seeking a traditional British boarding experience with a strong focus on developing independence.

Marlborough College

Marlborough College in Wiltshire is another prominent British boarding school with royal connections.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended Marlborough College, as did Princess Eugenie. The co-educational school provides boarding and day education and has a strong academic and extracurricular offering.

Its co-educational structure can make it particularly appealing to international families who want a prestigious British boarding school without choosing a single-sex institution.

Benenden School

Benenden School in Kent has also educated a member of the British Royal Family.

Princess Anne attended the girls' boarding school, which has a strong academic and extracurricular tradition.

For international families looking for a prestigious boarding school for a daughter, Benenden can therefore form part of a wider shortlist of schools with historic royal associations.

Cheam School

Royal education has also included prestigious preparatory schools.

Cheam School in Hampshire was attended by Prince Philip and later by King Charles III before he moved to Gordonstoun. The school illustrates how members of the Royal Family have historically moved between different independent schools at different stages of their education.

For international families, this is a useful reminder that the right school can depend heavily on a child's age and intended educational pathway.

What attracts international families to royal-connected schools?

The Royal Family connection is only one part of the appeal.

Leading British boarding schools can offer:

• Strong academic programmes

• Extensive extracurricular activities

• Traditional boarding environments

• Sports and outdoor education

• Music, drama and arts

• Leadership opportunities

• Strong pastoral systems

• International communities

• Established university pathways

• Historic facilities and traditions

For internationally mobile families, boarding can also make it easier for children to attend a British school while parents live or work in another country.

Royal connections do not mean easier admission

One of the most important points for international parents is that royal associations do not make admission easier.

Schools such as Eton have their own admissions criteria and assess applicants according to academic ability, potential and suitability for the school environment. Eton's current 13+ admissions route involves multiple assessment stages before a place is confirmed.

The same principle applies across the independent-school sector. Families should not choose a school solely because a member of the Royal Family attended it.

Instead, parents should examine:

• Entry age

• Registration deadline

• Academic requirements

• Entrance assessments

• Interview process

• Boarding arrangements

• School culture

• Pastoral support

• International pupil experience

• Location

• Future academic options

Choosing a royal-connected boarding school for an international child

International parents should begin with the child rather than the school's reputation.

A school that has educated members of the Royal Family may have an exceptional history but still not be the right environment for every child.

Parents should consider whether their child is:

• Academically prepared for the school

• Comfortable with boarding

• Independent enough for residential education

• Interested in the school's extracurricular strengths

• Comfortable in a traditional British environment

• Able to adapt to living away from home

• Likely to benefit from the school's pastoral structure

This approach produces a more realistic and useful school shortlist.

Coordinating boarding school plans with a UK relocation

For international families moving to Britain, school selection can be part of a much larger relocation project.

Parents may need to establish a London residence or another UK home while also arranging property acquisition, letting, refurbishment, furnishing, maintenance and contractor management.

The family's preferred school can influence where parents choose to live. Day pupils require practical daily transport, while full boarding provides greater flexibility around the location of the family home.

Fraser Bond does not provide school placement, admissions consultancy, entrance examination preparation or immigration advice. Its relevant role is supporting the property side of an international family's UK relocation, including property sales, lettings, management, refurbishment, repairs and contractor coordination.

Planning ahead for a British boarding-school move

Families considering a prestigious British boarding school should begin planning well before the intended start date.

A practical process can include:

1. Assess the child's academic and personal profile

2. Identify suitable entry years

3. Research schools and their admissions requirements

4. Create a realistic shortlist

5. Register before the relevant deadlines

6. Prepare for entrance assessments and interviews

7. Review boarding and pastoral arrangements

8. Plan the family's UK accommodation

9. Coordinate the wider relocation

10. Confirm final enrolment and travel arrangements

Early planning gives international families more choice and reduces the pressure of trying to secure a suitable school and property at the same time.

Building a long-term British family base

Royal connections make schools such as Eton, Gordonstoun, Marlborough and Benenden particularly interesting to international families researching Britain's educational heritage.

Nevertheless, the best decision is ultimately determined by the child's needs.

Families should research current admissions policies, visit schools where possible and seek specialist education advice where appropriate. Property and relocation requirements should then be planned alongside the education timeline.

For families establishing a long-term UK presence, professional property support can help ensure that the practical side of the move is handled with the same level of care as the education planning.