14 Boarding Schools Attended By Royalty

Photo: Courtesy of Gordonstoun By Tatler Thailand February 10, 2021 In search of the best education for your children? How about boarding schools with royal children on the attendance list? We’ve rounded up some of the most prestigious schools in the world attended by members of the royal family—and they’re not all in the UK…

Editorial Team

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March 15, 2021

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14 Boarding Schools Attended By Royalty | Thailand Tatler

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Photo: Courtesy of Gordonstoun By Tatler Thailand February 10, 2021

In search of the best education for your children? How about boarding schools with royal children on the attendance list? We’ve rounded up some of the most prestigious schools in the world attended by members of the royal family—and they’re not all in the UK and Europe!

Type: All Boys

With a history dating back to 1440, Eton College is one of the best-known all-boys British boarding schools in the world. Apart from 19 British prime ministers, Boris Johnson, David Cameron, award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne and Princes Harry and William have attended the school. Because of its emphasis on high standards, alumni entry to top universities in the UK are high. Eton is one of the four remaining single-sex schools in the UK.

Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire
etoncollege.com

Type: Mixed

Although first founded in 1949 in Switzerland, a branch opened in the UK in 1951 and became the first to operate in two different countries at the same time. The branch in London is separated into Junior, Lower, Middle and Upper School and the Small School. The eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, attended Hill House International Junior School before receiving his secondary education.

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

Type: Mixed

Built by a group of Church of England clergymen to educate their sons, Marlborough College started off as an all-boys school. It was opened in 1843 and housed 199 boys. The school has become fully co-educational with the admission of girls since then. Princess Eugenie who is 10th in line to the British throne, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York and Kate Middleton attended Marlborough College.

Marlborough College, Bath Road, Marlborough
marlboroughcollege.org

Type: All Boys

Famous for its strong academic record, Harrow is popular with royals all over the world with a history dating back to 1572. The school was 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 also attended, as well as the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Harrow School is one of the few full-boarding, all-boys schools in the UK.

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

Type: All Girls

Counting Princess Anne, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, as one of its former pupils, Benenden is one of the top all-girls schools in the country. The admission is highly competitive that it has a waiting list of four years at the moment. Beneden has impressive facilities including a state-of-the-art Science Centre; it also occupies a stunning parkland in the middle of Kent.

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

Type: All Girls

Attended by Princess Beatrice, the Duke of York’s daughter and ninth in line to the British throne, St George’s School is an independent boarding and day school for girls. Princess Beatrice herself completed her A-levels in drama history and film and also served as a head girl here. The school offers a range of opportunities, club and activities and is located on a leafy 30-acre site.

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

Type: Mixed

Founded in 1899, this international boarding school is located at the heart of Normandy. École des Roches recently welcomed its doors to Joachim of Denmark, the youngest son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The school benefits from the historical, cultural and artistic influence of Paris and central Europe, with over 120 years of history.

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

Type: Mixed

Holding the title as one of the most expensive schools in the world, this school counts the Shah of Iran, Prince Rainer of Monaco and King of Farouk of Egypt among its alumni. With two campuses, a manorial estate in Rolle and a winter campus in the ski resort of Gstaad. Institut Le Rosey in Rolle teaches in both English and French.

Château du Rosey, 1180 Rolle, Switzerland
rosey.ch

Type: Mixed

Being one of the oldest private boarding schools in Switzerland and located in the Alps, Princess Marie of Denmark and Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg have attended Collège Alpin Beau Soleil. Making education more insightful, Collège Alpin Beau Soleil offers educational trips around the world. The school teaches in both French and English.

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

Type: Mixed

It started off as an all-boys school in 1879 with just 15 students. In 1985, the school finally opened its doors to girls. Located outside of Europe, former students include Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, who attended as an exchange student, as well as King Felipe VI of Spain. Since opening to girls, new facilities have been built, including a library, a chapel and a theatre.

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

Type: Mixed

Huddled in a historic village surrounded by rivers, hills and farms, this school has a rigorous liberal arts curriculum backed by an extensive co-curricular programme and a supportive residential environment. Deerfield Academy was attended by King Abdullah II of Jordan.

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

Type: Mixed

Located in the alpine village of Chesières, Aiglon College places importance on mindfulness and introspection, which seems perfect given its location. The school has welcomed Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark. Students are required to take part in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and kayaking. With a curriculum taught in English, the private international boarding school is broadly modelled after British boarding schools.

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

Type: Mixed

With over 80 years of history, Gordonstoun is located in a beautiful 200-acre woodland campus within easy reach of the stunning Scottish Highlands. The school’s historic buildings contain a Sports Centre and a Performing Arts department that includes a studio theatre, drama rehearsal spaces and dance studios. Famous for its high standards and tough outdoor education programme, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward have attended the school.

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

Type: Mixed

When the Princess of Wales, Lady Diana Spencer, attended West Health School it was an all-girls school. Now accepting boys and girls, the school is passionate about fostering creativity and resourcefulness in pupils. All teaching is based on what the students already can do, know and can understand. To meet the students’ needs, different learning opportunities and activities are planned from student to student.

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

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