George a step close to Eton - despite Prince and Princess of Wales being 'plagued by indecision'

Prince George has been allocated a house at Eton College –despite the Prince and Princess of Wales being 'plagued by indecision' about their choice of school, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Although the £63,000-a-year public school is still the 'clear front-runner', leadership changes – including a six-month leave of absence for headmaster Simon Henderson – has left the royal couple uncertain if Eton is right for their eldest child.

Mr Henderson, 49 – who earned the nickname 'Trendy Hendy' after being accused of launching an 'aggressively woke' bid to overhaul the 585-year-old institution – was absent from his post for unspecified reasons between last August and January.

It has long been assumed that Eton – where Prince William was educated – would be the first choice for 12-year-old George when he leaves Lambrook, his preparatory school in Berkshire, next summer. 

But sources have told the MoS that Mr Henderson's absence left William and Kate feeling 'unsure' about the direction the school would take upon his return – or if he would return at all.

Just before the headmaster's leave began, the Provost of Eton, former Tory minister Lord (William) Waldegrave – Mr Henderson's close friend and mentor – also unexpectedly stepped down after 15 years in the role.

And while the Waleses were thought to have been 'reassured' when Sir Nicholas Coleridge, chair of Historic Royal Palaces, was appointed Provost last year, they are said to have wanted to wait until Mr Henderson returned before making a final decision.

Prince George (pictured) has been allocated a house at Eton College –despite the Prince and Princess of Wales being 'plagued by indecision' about their choice of school, The Mail on Sunday can reveal

Although the £63,000-a-year public school (pictured) is still the 'clear front-runner', leadership changes – including a six-month leave of absence for headmaster Simon Henderson – has left the royal couple uncertain if Eton is right for their eldest child

It has long been assumed that Eton – where Prince William was educated – would be the first choice for 12-year-old George when he leaves Lambrook, his preparatory school in Berkshire, next summer. Pictured: Prince William using a computer at Eton in 2000

While an announcement by Kensington Palace is expected soon, it is understood the Waleses settled on a house for George with the help of Sir Nicholas.

A source said: 'Eton has been going through much transition lately so that's perhaps why it wasn't an easy decision.

'There has been a lot going on that isn't public knowledge but which Catherine would, of course, have been informed of.

'She has been wise to wait and observe for a few more months for things to settle down, which it has thanks to Nicholas Coleridge's hand on the tiller and Simon Henderson's return – though that has its own dilemmas because he's not everyone's ideal Eton headmaster.'

Eton has 25 houses, including the main college where the prestigious King's Scholars – the brightest academic pupils – are housed.

The others – which include Angelo's, The Hopgarden, Cotton Hall House and Hawtrey House – are dotted in and around the college campus and the village, which the college technically owns.

Each accommodates around 50 boys, with ten from each year, which encourages pupils to mix with other age groups.

Last month, a source close to the school told the MoS that 'all roads lead to Eton' for George (pictured)

Pictured: The Prince of Wales and Prince George at Wimbledon on Sunday, July 13

Eton (pictured) has 25 houses, including the main college where the prestigious King's Scholars – the brightest academic pupils – are housed

Princes William and Harry both lived in Manor House, which was founded in the early 18th Century. One of its earlier members was the Duke of Wellington.

Unlike many public schools, each pupil has an individual study bedroom from the age of 13 to encourage them 'to organise themselves and to develop self-discipline in meeting tasks and deadlines'.

They are catered for in their house and can make themselves snacks within in-house kitchens.

Houses dip in and out of popularity, insiders say, often according to how well liked a particular housemaster is.

An announcement about George's schooling is now eagerly awaited – mainly by parents who have children the same age as him.

One parent at Marlborough College said: 'We are all hoping an announcement will be made soon because there's a huge waiting list at Marlborough.

'Once everyone finds out that George is going to another school that backlog will disappear.'

Kensington Palace and Eton College declined to comment.