Why was Princess Eugenie sent to boarding school?

Question

I know that she attends Marlborough College, I just do not know why she was sent away.

Answer 1

She wasn't "sent away" in the sense that parents "send away" their unruly children.

As a royal, she is open to a heightened level of attention, so even if the people of her social level sent their children to what people in the States call "public schools" she'd still likely need the cloistered environment of a boarding school. If she went to an "open" sort of school like Americans associate with public education, she'd have to be flanked by security and there would be innumerable measures required to maintain her safety. It would be disruptive to the school as a whole and unfair to the other children who'd be robbed of time to spend on their education if the focus is on one particular person or thing over another.

Since I don't know how much you know about English/British culture, I'll put it in the simplest terms I know of: In the Harry Potter books, you'll note that all of the children mentioned, even Dudley were sent away to school. It's a form of stylized networking, a way of building peer groups and connections while being immersed in an environment that fosters certain things, be that emphasis on the Arts, Horses, Polo, Rugby...whatever. Both of her parents are required to travel a great deal also, so it wouldn't be feasible to disrupt Princess Eugenie's, or her sister Princess Beatrice's, routine time and time again.

She's better off at Marlborough than she would be learning at home or going to a day school because the school there is better equipped to handle her privacy as well as give her the attention she will need to have the best educational opportunities for her individual needs and preferences. Boarding schools typically have smaller class sizes and a larger Teacher-Student ratio. There are also a lot of different things set up such as tutors and mentors assigned to each student to keep them on the right track.

You just don't see that kind of thing going on in most American-style school systems.

All of the royals have sent their children to boarding schools, as do many wealthy and/or celebrity families. Prince Charles and his siblings all went away to school. It's almost a rite of passage. The former Princess of Wales spent time at boarding school, Princess Anne's children, despite being the "normal" extension of the family both attended Gordonstoun. Even Prince Edward's wife, Sophie went to boarding school and she came from a very working class background. Her mother took in typing and other odd jobs like that to help pay for her school expenses.

Answer 2

boarding school has a negative connotation here in the states and is thought of as the place where father's new wife...the step-mother..sends her new husbands children so she can have him all for herself.

in the UK it would be more unusual for someone of Eugenie's class not to go to boarding school. there she will be protected from the press and mingle with other boys and girls of her class who some will most likely be friends for life. marlborough college was the first major public (that's what they call their private, go figure) school that accepted girls, in 1968.

the school is under 70 miles from sarah's home and from london its just about 90 miles...so its not likely that eugenie feels abandoned there and probably go home most weekends or sarah could drive up or take a helicopter to visit.

either way, it's a good thing.

Answer 3

Most upper class children go to boarding schools.Bear in mind that her mother,The Duchess of York must travel frequently for business.Eugenie and Beatrice,both being in school,are in a safe place where they are not bothered by unwanted attention from the press.

Answer 4

A lot of Britain's send their kids to boarding school. It's like college prep or the public schools just aren't as good.

Answer 5

Most 'upper class' brits send their children (sons as well as daughters) to boarding school. The theory is the school turns them into young ladies and gentlement. The fact is, many upper class brits, especially royals, aren't exactly what you would call stay-at-home-Moms, and Sarah certainly fits that category!

Answer 6

Maybe she wasn't sent away. Maybe she was trying to GET away.

Answer 7

It's the 'done' thing with royalty and the gentry.