Royal School Fees Set to Soar: Wales Family Faces £80,000 Annual Bill for Kids’ Education

As the new school year kicks off, the financial burden of education is becoming increasingly apparent for the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Recent reports reveal that the annual tuition fees for their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are set to skyrocket to a staggering £80,000.

This hefty sum comes as a result of new VAT regulations that will take effect at the end of this year.

Currently, the total annual fees for the Wales children amount to £79,387.20, but with the impending 20% increase in school fees, parents at Lambrook School will soon feel the pinch.

As the royals enjoy their summer break at Balmoral, the reality of returning to school looms large, especially with such significant financial changes on the horizon.

The rise in fees is tied to a new VAT law that will apply to private school tuition starting January 1, 2025.

This means that families like the Waleses will face an immediate hike in their educational expenses.

Those who attempt to pay their tuition ahead of the increase may find themselves in hot water with the government, which has expressed disapproval of such preemptive measures.

At Lambrook, the school year is divided into three terms: Mike Alma's term, Lent term, and Summer term.

Currently, Prince Louis, who is in Reception year, is facing a term fee of £5,434.

With the VAT increase, that figure will jump by an additional £1,000 each term, bringing his annual total from £16,302 to £19,562.40.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte's fees are also set to rise significantly.

Enrolled in the lower school, her current term fee is £7,968, translating to an annual cost of £23,904.

With the new VAT regulations, her fees will swell to £28,684.80.

As for Prince George, who attends the middle and upper school, his current term fee is £8,650.

After the VAT increase, his annual fees will escalate from £25,950 to an eye-watering £31,140.

When all is said and done, the cumulative fees for the Wales children will total £79,387.20 annually, assuming no further changes in the fee structure.

Interestingly, the official Lambrook School website notes that the current fees are exempt from VAT for the myCALMAS term 2024.

However, this exemption will cease come January 1, 2025, when fees for the Lent and Summer terms will be subject to the new tax.

Recently, the Wales family returned to Berkshire in preparation for the children's return to school.

This year marks significant milestones for the siblings, with Prince George entering Year 7, Princess Charlotte in Year 5, and Prince Louis starting Year 2.

On another note, while the children settle back into their academic routines, their father, the Prince of Wales, is gearing up to resume royal duties.

He is scheduled to attend the Homelessness Reframed Exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London, an event dedicated to showcasing the experiences of artists who have faced homelessness.

As for Princess Kate, she is still undergoing treatment for cancer, leaving her public appearances limited.

To date, she has only attended two major events this year—the Wimbledon Men's Final and Trooping the Colour—raising questions about when she might return to her full royal schedule.

The Wales family's financial commitments to education highlight the challenges many parents face, even those in the royal sphere.