There will be celebrations and commiserations as students around the world receive their A-Level results this week. Not even the Royal Family are immune from exam jitters, with some having more cause for concern than others. (Although, of course, there are no grade requirements to be royal). So, how did they perform when it came to their schooling? FromPrincess Anne toPrincess Beatrice,Tatler reveals the highs and lows of the royal GCSEs and A-Levels…
Getty Images1/11Prince William
After five years at Ludgrove prep school in Berkshire, Prince William started at Eton College in 1995, leaving in 2000 with 12 GCSEs and three A-Levels; A in Geography, B in Art and C in Biology. He went on to have a gap year before going on to the University of St Andrews to study Art History, the same as his future wife-to-be, eventually changing courses to study Geography, where he left with a 2:1 degree.
Shutterstock2/11Prince Harry
Less academic than his brother, Harry’s grades were never high but he did gain 11 GCSEs and two A-Levels; a B in Art and D in Geography. It seems the official website of the Royal Family would rather brush it under the carpet as it states that Harry simply, ‘went on to Eton College from September 1998 where he took his GCSEs and A Levels’ rather than specify what subjects he took as they do with William’s entry. While he may have not been an A-grade student, Harry was House Captain of Games and represented the school at rugby, cricket and polo, and was a member of the Combined Cadet Force, before going to join the Army.
WPA Pool/Getty Images3/11The Princess of Wales (then Kate Middleton)
Studious Kate (pictured front left as a pupil at St Andrew's School) gained 11 GCSEs at Marlborough College in Wiltshire before achieving three A-levels in 2000; As in both Maths and Art, and a B in English. Similarly to William, she also took a gap year, and hers included undertaking a Raleigh International programme in Chile. Kate then started at the University of St Andrews the same year as William, on the same course (before he switched subjects), graduating in 2005 with a 2:1 in History of Art.
Getty Images4/11The Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle)
Since she grew up across the pond, Meghan Markle didn’t sit GCSEs or A-Levels. She did achieve high SATII grades when studying at the Immaculate Heart High School in order to get into college. The actual grades she achieved is a mystery, however her former drama teacher did reveal she ‘sparkled’ at school. The budding actress then went on to gain a double major in Theatre and International Relations at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Shutterstock5/11Princess Beatrice
Beatrice was diagnosed with dyslexia when she was seven years old but that didn’t stop her doing well at the exams she sat while at St George’s School in Ascot. She achieved nine GCSEs including two A*s and went on to gain three A-Levels; an A in Drama, and Bs in History and Film Studies, while being elected as Head Girl in her final year. Princess Bea went on to Goldsmiths to study History and History of Ideas, graduating in 2011 with a 2:1.
Getty Images6/11Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie scored two A*s, four As and three Bs in her GCSEs and her A-Level results were so good that in 2008 the palace actually sent out a statement so they could tell the world. Her parents, the Duke of York and his former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, said that they were, ‘Delighted by Eugenie's achievements. She has worked extremely hard towards these justifiably fantastic results’, in which she gained As in Art and English Literature and a B in History of Art. Eugenie attended Marlborough College in Wiltshire. Eugenie went on to study a Combined Honours BA in English Literature, History of Art and Politics at Newcastle University, graduating with a 2:1 degree in 2012.
Getty Images7/11King Charles III (Prince Charles)
Following in the footsteps of his father, a young Prince Charles headed to Scotland for his schooling at Gordonstoun (one that’s said to be an unhappy one – at least according toThe Crown) where he achieved five O-Levels (GCSEs) and two A-Levels; a B in History and C in French. He then went on to Cambridge University, graduating with a 2:2 degree in History. Allegedly, his bodyguard who attended all his lectures with him sat the exams too - and beat him to a First.
Getty Images8/11Princess Anne
The first British female royal to attend school, Princess Anne completed her six O-Levels at Benenden School in Kent, leaving with three A-Levels in English, History and Politics. We don’t know the grades but since she’s one of the most hard-working and dedicated royals today, no doubt she excelled academically, too.
Shutterstock9/11Prince Andrew
Along with Charles, Andrew was sent up to Gordonstoun for his education and his subject choices pretty much mirrored that of his sister Anne, six O-levels and A-levels in English, History and Politics.
Shutterstock10/11Prince Edward
Prince Edward also went to Gordonstoun but wins the award for most O-Levels out of his siblings, achieving nine and then three A-levels; a C in English, D in History and D in Politics. He was nonetheless accepted into Cambridge University, leaving with a 2:2 degree in History.
Shutterstock11/11Queen Elizabeth II
Her late Majesty (or Princess Elizabeth back then) never actually sat an academic exam in her life. The Queen was home-schooled by a governess from 9.30am until 11am every day as a child but following the sudden abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII in 1938, the palace quickly made preparations for Elizabeth to receive lessons on constitutional history from the vice provost of Eton, Henry Marten, in preparation for her future role as a monarch. Professor Kate Williams, author ofYoung Elizabeth, said in an interview that, ‘The Queen’s father had disliked school and her mother thought it was more important to have fun. The Queen was very bright and had an appetite for learning as well as a razor-sharp memory. The lack of a formal education didn't harm her as she was naturally analytical and something of an autodidact, as well as being hard working.
