King Charles Could Revive Queen's Eton Tea Ritual for Prince George as He Prepares Him for the Throne

King Charles could revive an afternoon tea tradition once shared by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William as 13-year-old Prince George begins life at Eton College.

The suggestion comes after George started at the Berkshire boarding school on 8 September, following the same educational path as his father. Former royal butler Grant Harrold believes Charles may use visits to Windsor to combine ordinary grandfatherly conversations with subtle preparation for George's eventual role as king.

Queen Elizabeth's Teas Were More Than Family Visits

When William attended Eton from 1995, the school's proximity to Windsor Castle allowed him to spend quiet afternoons with his grandparents.

William recently recalled those visits for the Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial, describing tea with Elizabeth and Prince Philip, conversations and family stories as some of his fondest Windsor memories. He said the late Queen left him with a lasting love of teatime.

But Harrold believes those informal meetings served another purpose. He suggested Elizabeth was also quietly helping William understand the unusual future awaiting him.

Harrold, who worked for Charles when he was Prince of Wales between 2004 and 2011, said he believes it was during such meetings that Elizabeth 'unofficially and subtly' began preparing William for his future role.

Charles Could Repeat the Routine With George

George's arrival at Eton has created an unusually close generational parallel. William was also 13 when he began at the school in 1995, becoming the first future British monarch to attend Eton.

Harrold has predicted that Charles could now recreate the afternoon tea routine with his grandson whenever the King is staying at Windsor.

He said Charles would likely want to hear how George is getting on at school while gradually helping him prepare for what lies ahead.

That distinction matters. George is currently second in line to the throne, behind William, and there is no suggestion that he is beginning formal constitutional training at 13.

The proposed tea meetings have also not been announced by Buckingham Palace. Harrold's comments are a prediction based on his experience working within the royal household, rather than confirmation of a new royal programme.

George Begins the Same Eton Journey at 13

George arrived at Eton with William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, on 8 September. He was welcomed by headmaster Simon Henderson as he began the next stage of his education.

Eton, founded by Henry VI in 1440, sits close to Windsor Castle. Its location helped make William's visits to his grandmother possible during his own school years and could make similar meetings with Charles relatively straightforward.

The parallel is particularly striking because William has now publicly described how much those apparently ordinary afternoons meant to him.

For George, any future meetings would carry the same unusual contrast. He could spend his school week living among other pupils before sitting down with his grandfather, the reigning monarch, who has first-hand knowledge of the responsibilities George may one day inherit.

Harrold said Charles understands the challenges his grandson could face as a future king while navigating his teenage years.

If his prediction proves correct, a cup of tea at Windsor could therefore become more than a family ritual. It could quietly connect three generations of future monarchs through a tradition that once gave William private time with the Queen while he was still an Eton schoolboy.