The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are set to face a substantial increase in school fees for their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The rise is attributed to a new VAT rule coming into effect in 2025 that eliminates the exemption for private schools in the UK. This change will result in a 20% fee increase across all private schools, impacting not only the royal couple but also all families with children in private education.
The fees for Lambrook School, where the royal children attend, will reflect this change. As per the school’s website, fees for the current term (Michaelmas Term 2024) are exempt from VAT, but this will change starting January 1, 2025, for the Lent and Summer 2025 terms. This means that Prince William and Kate Middleton will have to pay significantly more for their children’s education moving forward.
The new rule will add nearly over ₹ 88 lakh (nearly £80,000) to the annual school fees for their children. Prince George, who attends the middle and upper school, will see his fees rise from ₹ 28.5 lakh (£25,950) to ₹ 34.2 lakh (£31,140). Princess Charlotte’s fees in the lower school will increase from ₹ 26.3 lakh (£23,904) to ₹ 31.5 lakh (£28,684.80). Prince Louis, who is in his first year of primary school, will face an increase from ₹ 17.9 lakh (£16,302) to ₹ 21.5 lakh (£19,562.40) annually.
The impact of the new VAT rule will be felt from July 29 onwards, affecting any fees paid for the January term at Lambrook School. This development is part of a broader trend of rising costs in private education across the UK.
It’s worth noting that Prince William’s own education included time at Jane Mynor Nursery and Ludgrove School in London. He later attended Eton College, becoming the first high-ranking Royal to do so.
