Prince William recently joked that he’s already struggling to help his 12-year-old son, Prince George, with schoolwork, a sentiment many parents can relate to. The admission came during a visit to the University of Bristol, where the Prince was shown the UK’s most powerful supercomputer, Isambard-AI. The university gifted William LEGO models of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel for his children, and the Prince quipped he knew where to go when George needed help with assignments.
The Rising Difficulty of Modern Education
This casual comment highlights a broader trend: modern education is becoming increasingly complex, even for those with access to top resources. The challenges George faces now are likely far greater than those Prince William encountered at the same age. This shift isn’t just about curriculum; it’s about the pace of technological change and the expectation that children navigate increasingly advanced concepts at younger ages.
Boarding School and Digital Access
The conversation also touched on Prince George’s upcoming transition to secondary school, where he may attend a boarding school, unlike his father who attended Eton College. Royal insiders suggest that George’s experience will differ from William’s, who found boarding school a refuge during his parents’ separation.
William acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining a “no phones” rule for his children, hinting that George may receive limited cell phone access when he enters secondary school. This signals a generational shift in parenting, as digital access becomes almost unavoidable for teenagers navigating modern life. The need for homework assistance may only grow as education becomes more tech-dependent.
Why This Matters
The Prince’s remarks are relatable because they reflect a common struggle: the increasing demands placed on children and the parents who support them. As education evolves, the gap between parental knowledge and student assignments widens, making it harder for even privileged families to keep up. The reliance on AI tools (like Isambard-AI or ChatGPT) for homework help is no longer a fringe behavior but a mainstream response to educational pressures.
The situation underscores how rapidly education is changing and how parents must adapt alongside their children. The fact that a royal family is openly acknowledging these challenges suggests that this struggle is universal, regardless of wealth or status.
