Lessons learned for job of a lifetime

The Queen studied hard to ready herself before ascending to the throne, and she had to use that knowledge quickly,

Elizabeth’s early education came from governesses, but following Edward’s abdication, it became a matter of urgency for the princess be tutored in the constitution. Lessons began at 13, with Sir Henry Marten, the vice-provost of Eton, who would cycle up to Windsor Castle to teach her and, later, she visited him in his chaotic study, with books piled high and a pet raven that pecked his ear. “This wizard’s cave was the closest that the future queen ever came to going to school,” writes biographer Robert Lacey, and the princess was, at first, shy in offering answers. She diligently learned the history of the monarchy, Commonwealth and powers of parliament, taking copious notes on governmental rules as though she were the “ultimate civil servant – which in one sense, is just what this little girl was to become,” writes Lacey, in Royal: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. There are not many children who study so narrowly and comprehensively for their future career, but the Queen would be called upon to use her newly acquired knowledge much earlier than expected, when she acceded to the throne aged just 25.

Her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren would be afforded a wider and slower education. The Queen and Prince Philip were keen for Prince Charles to live a more open life, attending Cheam prep school and then – somewhat against Elizabeth’s wishes – Philip’s alma mater Gordonstoun in Scotland, as well as Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop campus in Victoria, finishing up with a degree from Cambridge. Prince William would enjoy an even more “normal” education, attending Wetherby day school, Ludgrove boarding school, Eton and the University of St Andrews. Prince George is enrolled at Lambrook School in Berkshire, along with his sister Charlotte and brother Louis.

This wizard’s cave was the closest that the future Queen ever came to going to school

BIOGRAPHER ROBERT LACEY

Elizabeth with King George VI in 1942 and (inset) Prince Charles at Cambridge University in the 1960s.

Pictures: Getty Images, AFP Andrews in Prince William graduates from St 2005.

Elizabeth and her sister Margaret speak via the BBC to children around the world who were evacuated from Britain during World War II.

All pictures: Getty Images and AFP William and his wife, Kate Middleton, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte on Charlotte’s first day at school in 2019.

Princess Diana with her sons princes William and Harry on Harry’s first day of school.

Princess Elizabeth officially opens a British exhibition at the Galliera Museum, Paris, in 1948.