ETON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 29:  Eton schoolboys in traditional tailcoats at Eton College boarding school, Berkshire, UK.  (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)
Cover Get to know the boarding schools that members of royal families attended (Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images)

From Harrow in the United Kingdom to Institut Le Rosey in Rolle in Switzerland, these boarding schools have the royal seal of approval

Looking for the very best education for your children? It might be time to consider prestigious schools that count members of royal families as its alumni. While most choose to attend boarding schools in the UK or across Europe, there are some who attended schools in North America as well.

Below, we round up fourteen boarding schools attended by royals. From Eton College to Harrow School, these already have a royal seal of approval.

See also: 10 Outstanding British Public Schools To Consider

1. Eton College, United Kingdom

Eton College is one of the best-known all-boys British boarding schools in the world, with a history dating back 1440. Both Princes Harry and William attended Eton College, as well as 19 British prime ministers including Boris Johnson and David Cameron, and award-winning actor, Eddie Redmayne.

Eton is one of the four remaining single-sex independent schools in the UK and because of its emphasis on high standards, entry to top universities in the UK amongst alumni is high.

Type: All-boys

School fees: Find out more here

Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire, etoncollege.com

 

2. Hill House International Junior School, United Kingdom

The school was first founded in Switzerland in 1949 but a branch opened in the UK in 1951. Prince Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II attended Hill House International Junior School before receiving his secondary education.

This school became the first to teach in two different countries at the same time. The branch in London is separated into the Junior School, Lower, Middle and Upper School and the Small School.

Type: Mixed

School fees: Find out more here

Hill House International Junior School, 17 Hans Place, London, hillhouseschool.co.uk

3. Marlborough College, United Kingdom

Marlborough College started off as an all-boys school built by a group of Church of England clergymen to educate their sons. It opened in 1843 and housed 199 boys. Since then, the school has become fully co-educational with the admission of girls.

Kate Middleton attended the school before she became the Duchess of Cambridge. Princess Eugenie, the 10th in line to the British throne as well as the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York also attended the school.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Find out more here

Marlborough College, Bath Road, Marlborough, marlboroughcollege.org

4. Harrow School, United Kingdom

With a history dating back to 1572, Harrow School is one of the world's most renowned. The all-boys boarding school is so popular with royals all over the world, once attended by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of Qatar and Lord Nicholas Windsor, Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin. Seven former British prime ministers including Winston Churchill and Robert Peel have also attended Harrow School, as well as the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Together with Eton School, Harrow School is one of the few full-boarding, all-boys schools in the UK. The Fourth Form Room at the school was also used as Professor Flitwick’s classroom in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Type: All-boys

School fees: Find out more here

Harrow on the Hill, Harrow, London, harrowschool.org.uk

5. Benenden School, United Kingdom

Benenden School is an all-girls boarding school in the UK and one of the top all-girls schools in the country. It is one of the 13 remaining boarding schools in the UK.

Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II attended the school, and admission is so competitive that the waiting list is currently four years long. Occupying a beautiful parkland in the middle of Kent, Benenden has impressive facilities including a state-of-the-art Science Centre.

Type: All-girls

School fees: Find out more here

Benenden School, Cranbrook, Kent, benenden.kent.sch.uk

See also: Benenden School Attended By Princess Anne To Open China Campus In 2023

6. St. George's School, United Kingdom

St George’s School was attended by Princess Beatrice, the Duke of York’s daughter and the ninth person in line to the British throne. This independent boarding and day school for girls is located on a leafy 30-acre site in England’s Home Counties and offers a range of opportunities, club and activities.

Princess Beatrice completed her A-levels in drama history and film at the school and also served as a head girl.

Type: All-girls

School fees: Find out more here

St George’s School, Wells Lane, Ascot, Berkshire, stgeorges-ascot.org.uk

See also: The Surprising Story Behind Princess Beatrice's Wedding Tiara

7. École des Roches, France

Over in France, École des Roches recently welcomed its doors to Joachim of Denmark, the youngest son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Founded in 1899, the international boarding school is located at the heart of Normandy.

With over 120 years of history and its location, the school benefits from the historical, cultural and artistic influence of Paris and central Europe.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Find out more here

École des Roches, 295 Avenue Edmon Demolins, Verneuil sur Avre, Normandy, France, ecoledesroches.co.uk

8. Institut Le Rosey in Rolle, Switzerland

Institut Le Rosey in Rolle, Switzerland holds the title as one of the most expensive schools in the world. It counts the Shah of Iran, Prince Rainer of Monaco and King of Farouk of Egpyt among its alumni.

The prestigious school teaches in both French and English, with pupils encouraged to take weekend trips across various places in Europe. The school has two campuses––one, a manorial estate in Rolle, along with a winter campus in the charming ski resort of Gstaad.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Reports say it costs GBP£87,300 a year. For the exact costs, please contact the school directly

Château du Rosey, 1180 Rolle, Switzerland, rosey.ch

9. Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, Switzerland

Royalties from Denmark and Switzerland have attended Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, one of the oldest private boarding schools in Switzerland. This includes Princess Marie of Denmark and Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

The school is located in the Alps and teaches in both English and French. They not only conduct lessons in the classroom but also offer educational trips around the world.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Reports say the school costs CHF140,000 a year. For the exact costs, please contact the school directly

Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, Route du Village 1, 1884 Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland, beausoleil.ch

10. Lakefield College School, Canada

Outside of Europe, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York attended Lakefield College School as an exchange student. King Felipe VI of Spain is also a former student. The Canadian boarding school boasts its strong sense of community, warmth and commitment to its students.

It started off as an all-boys school in 187 with just 15 students. In 1985, the school finally opened its doors to admit girls. Since then, new facilities have been built including a library, a chapel and a theatre.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Find out more here

Lakefield College School, 4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario, Canada, lcs.on.ca

11. Deerfield Academy, USA

Royals mostly choose to study in Europe but King Abdullah II of Jordan spent his formative years in the United States––attending Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. He eventually moved to the UK to study at Oxford.

The independent secondary school has a rigorous liberal arts curriculum backed by an extensive co-curricular programme and a supportive residential environment. Located in a historic village, the school is surrounded by rivers, hills and farms.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Find out more here

Deerfield Academy, 7 Boyden Lane, Deerfield, Massachusetts, USA, deerfield.edu

See also: 10 Of The Best Boarding Schools In The US

12. Aiglon College, Switzerland

Aiglon College in Switzerland has educated Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark. Located in the glorious landscape in the alpine village of Chesières, Aiglon College focuses on mindfulness and introspection, which seems perfect given its location.

The private international boarding school is broadly modelled after British boarding schools with the curriculum taught in English. Students are also required to take part in expeditions which can include hiking, camping, kayaking and other outdoor activities.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Find out more here

Aiglon College, Avenue Centrale 61, 1885 Chesières, Switzerland, aiglon.ch

13. Gordonstoun, Scotland

Gordonstoun in Scotland is notorious for its rigorously high standards and tough outdoor education programme. Both Prince Philip and Prince Charles attended the school as well as Princes Andrew and Edward.

The Scottish institution is located in a beautiful 200-acre woodland campus, within easy reach of the stunning Scottish Highlands. With over 80 years of history, the school’s historic buildings have a Sports Centre and a Performing Arts department that includes a studio theatre, drama rehearsal spaces and dance studios.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Find out more here (senior fees) and here (junior fees)

Gordonstoun, Elgin, Moray, Scotland, gordonstoun.org.uk

14. West Heath School, United Kingdom

Lady Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales, once attended the West Heath School. During her time, it was an all-girls school but has since accepted boys.

The school’s approach to learning is to be as creative and as resourceful as possible. To achieve this, all teaching is based on what students already know, can do and can understand. Staff will then plan different activities and learning opportunities to meet students’ needs.

Type: Co-educational

School fees: Find out more here

West Heath School, Ashgrove Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, westheathschool.com

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