From the Palace to the Classroom: The History of Royal Education | Part One
The first part of a series on royal education and the monarchy's slow shift to modern pedagogy
Where does one send royal children to be educated?
Two centuries ago, the answer would have been to a private tutor and the military. One century ago, the answer would have been to a private boarding school far from home and then, the military.
Today, Britain’s youngest school-age royals attend Lambrook School, a co-educational preparatory school located in the Berkshire countryside. Lambrook School, a prestigious educational institution boasting a total of 52 acres, has been “nurturing potential since 1860” as their website states. Currently, they are responsible for nurturing the potential of Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (9), and Prince Louis (6) — the pressure!
This shift from a secluded education to a more inclusive one highlights the monarchy’s slow shift to modern pedagogy.
In this multiple-part series, I will examine modern royal education and its impact, taking a closer look at the balancing scale of tradition and modernity.
Part one focuses on the history of royal education, as it sets the precedent for how royals were educated in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Part I: Historical Context
Tudor and Elizabethan Eras
The Tudor and Elizabethan eras saw a softening of royal education, including the arts and sciences, instead of only military education. The work of Erasmus, a humanist and philosopher, influenced King Henry VIII’s so much so, that he would go on to create a school for his son and the sons of wealthy aristocrats. Students were tutored by top scholars of their time — Dr. Richard Cox, John Cheke, and William Grindal, among others.
Stuart Era
The Stuart era saw even more emphasis placed on the liberal arts. Sir Thomas Murray was responsible for the education of King Charles I, studying "the usual subjects: the Classics, French, Italian, arithmetic and theology."
Despite a grand education for the time, Charles led a reign marked by conflict and civil war, eventually ending in his execution. One could argue that it was Charles’ education that failed him, or simply, a struggle to understand the limits of his power.
His son, Charles II, received an education from multiple tutors, focusing on subjects similar to those his father studied — languages, dancing, writing, and military training.
Charles II, known as the “Merry Monarch” saw society’s faith in the monarchy return. Charles was avoidant of conflict and a great supporter of the arts and sciences. Despite a few personal scandals involving marriage, Charles II was generally well-liked. Was it his formal education that properly prepared him for life as a King or observing his father’s rule, that steered Charles II onto the right path?
Georgian Era
When one has 15 children, one has to decide which education each will undertake. For the sons of King George III and Queen Charlotte, the answer was rather simple — the military. The sons who survived childhood were all educated by private tutors, before receiving a military-style education. The future King of Hanover, Ernest Augustus, Prince Augustus Frederick, and Prince Adolphus were all sent to the University of Göttingen, to study under Field Marshal Wilhelm Von Freytag before taking off in various military campaigns.
George IV was the only son to attend a higher education in England, attending Trinity College, Cambridge. However, his attendance was merely ceremonial, as the future King was quite focused on other matters — like partying.
The Princesses despite not attending a formal school like their brothers, were still tutored in language, arts, and dancing, preparing them for a proper life in high society.
Victorian Era
Like the Georgians, for the sons of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, military service was expected. After studying under a tutor, nearly all went off to serve in the military in some capacity, whether purely ceremonial or in active duty. Prince Alfred, eager to get his start, joined the Navy at just 12 years old!
When we look at the higher education choices of Victoria’s children, Prince Albert Edward, the future King Edward VII, attended lectures at both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford. Despite not performing well as a child, Prince Albert’s intellect blossomed while attending university.
As mentioned, most of the children undertook a successful military career. Prince Leopold, who suffered from hemophilia, was barred from serving in the military. Instead of going into the military like his brothers, he attended the University of Oxford, and was said to be quite an intellectual.
The daughters of Victoria and Albert were educated by governesses and private tutors. Although they were expected to marry someone of similar status, the revolutionary Victorian period granted the daughters a bit more liberation in their education. For further information on each of Queen Victoria’s daughters, I highly recommend one of my favorite YouTube channels, History Tea Time with Lindsay Holiday.
Edwardian Era
As the Victorian era progressed into the Edwardian era, a more modern monarchy was on the rise. King George V was educated in the royal sense alongside his brother, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, due to their closeness in age. John Neale Dalton was their tutor, a Church of England clergyman. Neither of the young boys performed quite well and thus, the navy (at the age of 12!) was viewed as a better educational pursuit. After traveling the world, Albert Victor went off to study at the University of Cambridge, with George further pursuing a naval career.
George VI studied at the University of Cambridge but did not finish an official degree. He also attended the Royal Navel College, which was at the time a junior officer training facility.
Queen Elizabeth
The last of a long line of monarchs to follow the traditional path of royal education was Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth, along with her younger sister Margaret were educated by a governess, Marion Crawford. They studied the usual subjects, from history, languages, music and more.
Marion Crawford, affectionally called Crawfie by the two young Princesses, was a Scottish educator. She remained in service to the family until her retirement in 1948. Two years after her retirement, Crawford would go on to publish a book titled, The Little Princesses. The book detailed the early years of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
At the age of 11, Princess Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide and would go on to become a Sea Ranger. This organization, which still exists today, provided fundamental skill-building opportunities for young girls across the UK.
When Princess Elizabeth became heir presumptive on the abdication of King Edward VIII, her education turned to what was then seen as the absolute fundamentals of any future King or Queen — constitutional law, history, and religion. Henry Marten, the Vice-Provost of Eton was Elizabeth’s constitutional law and history tutor. She was also tutored in religion by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Queen Elizabeth would go on to reign for 70 years, a reign marked by leadership and service. While I certainly believe the ability to lead a successful reign comes down to personal character, Elizabeth’s earliest lessons provided a solid foundation for her to build on.
A Shift in Schooling
The then Prince Charles received an early education from Catherine Peebles, affectionally called “Mispy”. Catherine covered a range of topics with Charles until it was decided he would attend school outside the palace walls. There, the young Prince could learn with other children his age, making him the first heir to do so. It was at this point, a true shift in schooling to keep up with the modern times was evident.
Charles would go on to attend Hill House School in London (via arrival by royal limousine!) and excelled in reading and writing. But as tradition would have it (and often, it does), the Prince transferred to the prestigious preparatory school, Cheam School. It was the same school his father attended at the age of eight. As it would be revealed, Prince Philip would have a strong hand in the decision-making behind Charles’ education. Charles was quite different than his father, and it was that difference that Philip intended to change before his son would ever become King. Cheam School followed a Spartan-like education, one that Philip believed could toughen up his shy son. But unlike his father, Charles was not interested in sports like rugby or cricket, he suffered from sickness and often wrote home about how miserable of a time his schooling was.
After attending Cheam School for five years, Charles attended Gordonstoun in Scotland, much to the protest of his grandmother, who advocated that Charles continue his education at Eton College instead. It was the same school his father attended, and Prince Philip insisted he attend. She believed it was the best-suited place for Charles’ character, not the rough-and-tumble education of Gordonstoun.
Gordonstoun turned out to be a miserable experience for Charles, one of bullying and hard physical tests. He would often write home about the experience, finding writing as a means of therapy.
Charles would not flourish until a new English teacher, Eric Anderson, saw potential in Charles’ ability to act and his love of Shakespeare. He would go on to participate in Henry V and Macbeth. But despite having a talent for the stage, his father was rather unimpressed.
Perhaps, it was a new-found confidence at the backbone of Charles’ experience with the sport of Polo at the age of 12. Despite not being an incredibly active child, it was a sport Charles flourished in. It was at this turning point in his life that Charles would start to appease his father, copying his mannerisms and taking up a royal tour at the age of 17!
Charles’ proved to be quite the tradition breaker (royally, at least) by attending Cambridge Univeristy, instead of the military. He studied anthropology, history and archaeology, while finding a place to truly shine in their theater program. He also studied at the University of Wales, learning the Welsh language and history, fitting for his former title as Prince of Wales. Charles graduated from Cambridge University in June 1970, the first heir to the throne to do so!
Today, Charles sits on the throne, a much more confident and wiser version of his younger self. He is one of the last royals to come from a time of such drastic difference in the education between men and women, one plagued by gender norms of the mid-20th century.
With Charles being the first heir to attend such schools, it marked a precedent for future royal children to follow. Charles’ experiences at both Cheam School and Gordonstoun influenced his decision-making when it came to the education of his children—which will be covered in part two.
Part two will examine modern royal education practices, choices in schooling, and how the Prince and Princess of Wales ensure their children receive a “normal” education.
Stay Tuned for Part Two
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