It’s that time of year when everyone, even the royals, are heading back to school. This month, we are taking a close look at some of the iconic UK public schools (the equivalent of boarding school in the US) that have welcomed royal family members over the years. The uniforms are exceedingly formal, from waistcoats, to full length skirts, to kilts, evoking a very fancy version of Hogwarts, robes and all and the education veers from cricket and exams to extreme outdoor adventures. Their classmates excelled into the highest levels of government, business and the arts (can you spot the famous actor in the photo above with Prince William??)

Eton College

History: The best known school is probably Eton College, which is located near Windsor, making it a convenient spot for royals to attend while also participating in the occasional public event. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI and is one of the most academically challenging and prestigious schools in the country, feeding many students to Cambridge and Oxford. Students can attend starting at age 13, and the student body has grown to around 1,300. 

Attended by:  Prince William, Prince Harry, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent, Earl Spencer (Diana’s brother) and Lord Frederick Windsor (Princess Margaret’s grandson), plus a multitude of Prime Ministers 

Royal Gossip: Rumor has it that while William was welcomed into every club and honor possible, Harry had a little bit more of an entitled attitude at school and a harder time socially and academically. Still, he was a gifted athlete and a member of the Combined Cadet Force, which likely set him up to go into the army.

Gordonstoun

History: Founded in 1934 by German educator Kurt Hahn, Gordonstoun is located in Moray, Scotland. Originally all-boys, the school went co-ed in 1972. The school has an intense emphasis on physical activity, blending outdoor activities and skills such as seamanship and mountaineering with traditional private school academics, much inspired by Greek philosophers. The school had a reputation for harsh conditions, with cold showers and morning runs (in Scotland! It is not warm there!), but many of those practices have been dropped since. 

Attended by:  Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Zara Phillips, Peter Philips (Princess Anne’s children)

Royal Gossip: Prince Philip was one of the first pupils to attend the school and insisted that his sons all attend as well. Prince Charles absolutely hated his time at Gordonstoun, comparing it to a prison due to the harsh environment and forced physical activity. Prince Charles was also the first royal to sit for public exams while he was a student.

Marlborough College

History: Marlborough College was founded in 1843 to educate the sons of Church of England clergy, and is now a co-ed boarding and day school. It was one of the first schools to go co-ed and has a definite reputation for attracting a “posh” set. 

Attended by: Princess Eugenie, The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, and her sister Pippa (Middleton) Matthews

Royal Gossip: Kate and Pippa were both extremely popular at Marlborough, as they were both talented athletes in addition to completing their studies. Kate is famously still tight with many of her field hockey teammates and friends from school. Princess Eugenie was rumored to have "frolicked”naked at midnight while there, but also achieved some of the best A-level results of any royal.