Speculation has been triggered by the Princess of Wales about whether she is searching for a school equipped with top-notch drama facilities for her eldest son Prince George.
She recently toured two elite north London day schools, leaving the schools’ parents baffled as to why she might be considering the location.
Highgate School and University College School in Hampstead are both options being considered. Despite being only approximately 30 miles from the Wales’ Windsor residence, the daily commute to either school could prove to be a significant challenge, with expected travel times of well over an hour each way.
Parents in Highgate have engaged in discussions at the school gates, revealing their insights into why the Princess is drawn to Highgate specifically – the school boasts a ‘world-class’ drama department and is the preferred choice for the offspring of well-known actors such as Emma Thompson.
Its drama is so impressive that the historic school is also well-known for feeding children into the prestigious Royal Academy for Dramatic Arts (RADA), the best graduate drama school in the UK.
Several famous luvvies have also sent their children to Highgate over the years, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law.
Its alumni include the child-star actor Freddie Highmore – who starred alongside Johnny Depp in Finding Neverland.
The Princess, now in remission from cancer, was seen at £10,000-a-term Highgate School just after it closed for the Christmas break.
Catherine is reportedly considering a school with an excellent drama department for her eldest son Prince George
The Princess of Wales recently toured two elite north London day schools, leaving parents baffled as to why she was considering the location
Parents of Highgate School (pictured) say the Princess is attracted to the historic school by its world class drama school, which has produced alumni including actor Freddie Highmore
An insider told the Mail on Sunday: ‘The family did go round and have a look and apparently, it’s because the school has a rather brilliant drama department – genuinely world class.
‘Kate spent quite a long time talking to two of the teachers there, including the Head of Drama, and was asking them about the drama curriculum and extracurricular activities and what opportunities there might be for appearing in school plays.
‘One of the reasons they’re drawn to visiting Highgate is that the department is known as somewhere that feeds into RADA. Highgate has got a very strong focus on Shakespeare with a nuanced and intelligent approach to drama.
‘It’s where people send their children if they want somewhere more elevated than the Brit School. Apparently, Kate was advised that this school will help George out, but not in pressurised way.’
Her alma mater, Marlborough College in Wiltshire, is still understood to be the preferred choice for George, 11, when he leaves Lambrook School in Berkshire in 18 months, but Kate and husband Prince William are said to be ‘thinking outside the box’ and continuing to look at other options.
If George really does have a flare for the dramatic arts, it would mean he is following in the footsteps of his grandfather King Charles and great uncle Edward.
The King was in the Cambridge Footlights Club in 1967 and performed many times during his years studying at Trinity College.
A devoted Shakespeare fan, Charles even performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 2016 to celebrate the Bard’s legacy 400 years to the day after his death.
Emma Thompson (pictured) is among famous actors to send their children to Highgate
Kate’s alma mater, Marlborough College (pictured) is still thought to be her preferred choice for George, 11, when he leaves his current school in 18 months
Charles played the Prince of Denmark during a sketch with Benedict Cumberbatch and David Tennant, who has played Hamlet in the West End several times.
Meanwhile, Prince Edward even pursued an early career in theatre so great was his love of the stage, working for Andrew Lloyd Webber before setting up his own production company.
And George’s father takes a keen interest in film in his role as President of BAFTA.
Highgate – which was voted Independent School of the Decade – stages three big productions a year as well as a House Drama competition. Every other year its Sixth Formers perform at the Edinburgh Fringe.
