Prince George will not be allowed to use a smartphone when he joins Eton College in September. The newly minted teenager, who is following in his father’s footsteps by enrolling at the school, will instead have to settle for a “brick phone,” a rule his parents are reportedly fully behind.
George is second in line to the throne and has already been tipped as the best-prepared heir in history. While his parents are gradually introducing him to royal duties, they are determined to strike the right balance and are said to be in no rush to accelerate the process.
Ahead of Prince George’s arrival at Eton College this September, he’ll have to make do without a smartphone, according to The Telegraph.
Under the elite boarding school’s strict technology policy, first-year students are required to give up internet-enabled devices in favor of simple, offline “brick” phones.
The policy, introduced in 2024, requires all incoming Year 9 boys (aged 13) to transfer their SIM cards into basic, school-issued Nokia handsets capable only of voice calls and simple text messaging, per the BBC.
The previous rule required first-year students to hand over their devices only overnight. Laptops and tablets are also heavily restricted, although school-issued iPads are permitted strictly for supervised academic work.
Prince William And Kate Back Eton’s Strict Tech Policy
George’s parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are reportedly fully supportive of the policy, particularly because it aligns with their hands-on approach to parenting.
Sources said the couple wants their son to continue his education with as few distractions as possible and believe the brick phone policy will help achieve that.
They also remain deeply concerned about the dangers of social media; an issue William has previously addressed by urging tech companies to do more to protect children.
Russell Myers, author of the bestseller “William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story,” said the Prince and Princess of Wales are “extremely protective” of their children and are prepared to help George “navigate” this new stage of his life if necessary.
William Revealed Prince George’s Phone Request Became A ‘Tense Issue’
3The first year without a smartphone may come with its challenges, as William previously admitted that his and Kate’s decision not to give their children phones had become a “tense issue.”
The future king previously revealed during a conversation with Eugene Levy for Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler that George, Charlotte, and Louis did not have phones.
However, during a trip to Brazil for the Earthshot Prize awards late last year, the topic resurfaced. William suggested George would likely receive a phone when he started secondary school, while acknowledging the discussion had become a source of mild tension.
“Our children don’t have phones. I think when George moves on to secondary school, then maybe he might have a phone that has no internet access,” William told host Luciano Huck, per PEOPLE. “And to be honest, it’s getting to the point where it’s becoming a little bit of a tense issue,” he added.
Prince William Says George Understands The No-Internet Rule
3During their conversation, William also spoke about how it’s “really hard” to protect his children from the dangers of social media and the digital space. However, he shared that George seemingly understands where he and Kate are coming from on the topic of not exposing them to it and affording them a normal childhood.
“But I think he understands why,” William said. “We communicate why we don’t think it’s right. And again, I think it’s the internet access I have a problem with. I think children can access too much stuff they don’t need to see online, and so having a phone and text message, the old sort of ‘brick phone’ as they call them, I think that’s fine.”
Prince George’s Royal Training Continues At A Measured Pace
George will join a long list of notable Eton College alumni, including his father, Prince William; his uncle, Prince Harry; former Prime Minister Boris Johnson; and writers George Orwell and Ian Fleming.
The historic boarding school, where annual fees exceed $83,000, is reportedly viewed as the “best preparation for life as a modern working royal” for George, particularly as William has often praised the role it played in his own formative years.
In recent years, George has been introduced gradually to public life and was most recently seen accompanying his mother to an RAF airbase. Sources told The Telegraph that William and Kate are deliberately taking a measured approach as they balance royal responsibilities with family life.
“Mum and Dad give really careful consideration as to when and how to introduce all their children to royal work, and strike the balance with their normal lives,” the insider said.