Prince Harry’s time at Eton College was a period of great challenge for the young royal, despite the support of his elder brother, Prince William. Eton, one of the most prestigious schools in the UK, is renowned for educating members of the aristocracy, royalty, and future leaders. For Harry, however, the school environment proved to be a difficult experience. His struggles were not only academic but also deeply personal, as he contended with grief, expectations, and pressures that most students didn’t face. Even William's presence at Eton could not shield him from the difficulties that would follow.
One of the foremost challenges Harry faced was living in the shadow of Prince William. William had already established himself at Eton as a diligent and well-liked student by the time Harry enrolled. This comparison became a recurring issue for Harry, who was not as academically inclined or serious as his elder brother. Many teachers and fellow students unconsciously set William as the standard, which left Harry constantly feeling the weight of expectation to measure up. This created a sense of inadequacy and frustration, which Harry would later speak about.
The public and media’s fascination with the brothers added to this pressure. While William was the heir to the throne, Harry was often referred to as "the spare," which exacerbated his feelings of being the second choice or the one who did not have to live up to the same high standards. This perception from the outside world seeped into his school life, where he struggled to carve out his own identity.
Unlike William, who excelled academically, Harry found the rigors of Eton’s curriculum challenging. His academic performance was often scrutinized, not just because he was a royal, but because of the expectations that came with his family name. In interviews years later, Harry admitted that schoolwork was never his strong suit, and his lack of interest in academics made Eton a difficult environment for him.
Despite his brother’s support, Harry often felt out of place in the highly competitive academic atmosphere. He was not known for his scholarly achievements, and this further separated him from William’s image of a responsible and hardworking student. This divide, although not the fault of either brother, contributed to Harry’s overall sense of isolation at school.
One of the most significant emotional challenges Harry faced at Eton was dealing with the loss of his mother, Princess Diana. Harry enrolled at Eton just a few years after her tragic death in 1997, and the pain of her loss was still very raw for him. William, too, was grieving, but as the older sibling, he appeared more composed, while Harry struggled to manage his emotions. This grief often made it difficult for him to focus on his studies or engage fully in school life.
The media’s relentless attention on the two brothers, particularly in the aftermath of Diana’s death, compounded Harry’s emotional struggles. He was constantly in the public eye, and the pressure to maintain a strong front, coupled with his feelings of loss, took a toll on his mental well-being during his time at Eton.
One area where Harry did find success at Eton was in sports. He was an avid athlete, participating in rugby, polo, and other activities, which provided a much-needed outlet for his energy and frustrations. Sports allowed him to step out of William’s shadow and showcase his own strengths. Though his academic record was often a point of concern, Harry’s athletic abilities were praised, and this became one of the few aspects of school life that brought him joy.
Prince William was a source of support during Harry’s time at Eton, the younger prince faced numerous challenges that made his experience difficult. Living in William’s shadow, struggling academically, and dealing with the unresolved grief of losing his mother all contributed to Harry’s sense of isolation and frustration. While he found some solace in sports, the overall experience at Eton left a lasting impact on him, shaping the man he would later become.
