The possibility of George going away to board has stirred mixed feelings among royal commentators. Jennie Bond admitted she would find it a pity if he were sent away, partly because it seems at odds with some of Princess Kate’s core beliefs about stability and presence during a child’s early years. Yet she also pointed out that Kate herself boarded at Marlborough College and grew to love it, even though her earlier school years at Downe House had been difficult. Marlborough sits more than an hour from the family home at Forest Lodge on the Windsor estate, a geographical detail that has fed theories on how far the couple might be willing to let their eldest travel.
Kate’s own experience may put her in a position to judge whether boarding would support George’s growth or pull him too far from the close-knit upbringing she has always championed. Her approach to motherhood has remained consistent even during the challenges of the past year. Since sharing that she is in remission from cancer, she has gradually returned to royal duties, taking on more engagements while still holding firm to the idea that parenting comes first.
A year of balance for the Princess of Wales
