Prince George will no longer be expected to address his teachers using only familiar titles after beginning his education at Eton College. The 13-year-old officially started at the elite boarding school on September 8, following in the footsteps of Prince William and Prince Harry. In addition to adjusting to living away from home, wearing Eton’s famous tailcoat and navigating a new campus, George must learn an unusual vocabulary deeply rooted in the school’s history.
Among the most notable terms is “beak,” the informal name Eton students use for a teacher. However, the nickname is only the beginning of the strange language the future king will encounter during his first year.
Although “beak” may sound like a nickname exclusive to Eton, the centuries-old school says the term has also been used at other prestigious British institutions, including Harrow and Charterhouse. Its precise origin remains disputed.
According to an explanation published on Eton College’s official website, one theory connects the nickname to the mortarboards teachers wore until around the 20th century. Another suggests that it originated from an old Dutch word describing a person in authority.
Whatever its true source, the unusual term remains part of daily life at Eton. Assistant masters are officially known as teachers but are still colloquially referred to as “beaks.”
That means George, who is second in line to the British throne, will be expected to learn the same school slang as his classmates, regardless of his royal status.
George Must Master An Entirely New Vocabulary
5“Beaks” are not the only unfamiliar part of George’s new language. PEOPLE reports that a reprimand for poor academic work is known as a “rip,” while a student who arrives late could find his name recorded in the “Tardy Book.”
Students who break school rules may be placed on “the Bill.” According to Eton, that means being called to explain their behavior before the headmaster, lower master, or another senior staff member. The school’s official glossary contains dozens of other terms that would be virtually unrecognizable outside its grounds.
For example, “Abracadabra” does not refer to a magic trick at Eton. It is the name given to the planning document used to create the school timetable. Lessons are called “Divs,” while Eton uses “halves” for its school terms, even though the academic year now contains three of them.
The unusual terminology reflects a school culture that has developed over nearly 600 years.
Prince George Faced An Unusual Test After Arriving
5George’s introduction to Eton’s traditions reportedly began almost immediately. One of his first challenges was expected to be the “colors test,” which requires new students to learn the official colors of all 25 boarding houses, along with the locations of buildings around the campus.
Each boarding house accommodates approximately 55 students, with around 11 boys from each grade. Every student receives his own private room, meaning George will not have a roommate as he begins adjusting to boarding-school life.
The future king’s first-year room is reportedly far more modest than his royal background might suggest. It contains a single bed, a desk and shelves, although his accommodations will become more spacious as he advances through Eton.
Eton’s Price Tag Does Not Exempt George From Tradition
5Eton is among Britain’s most prestigious and expensive schools. According to reports, annual fees have reached approximately £65,000, equivalent to roughly $88,000 based on current exchange rates. The school was founded by King Henry VI in 1440 and has educated 20 British prime ministers, including Boris Johnson and David Cameron. Actors Hugh Laurie, Damian Lewis and Tom Hiddleston also attended.
Eton’s famous uniform is another visible part of its long history. Students wear tailcoats, waistcoats and pinstriped trousers, while certain academic achievements are reflected through different collars, ties and gowns.
Despite his position as a future king, George will be expected to follow those customs alongside his classmates. His royal title will not prevent a “beak” from giving him a “rip,” placing his name in the “Tardy Book” or sending him to “the Bill” if he breaks school rules.
Prince William Can Help George Navigate Eton Life
5Fortunately, George has someone close to home who already understands Eton’s distinctive culture. William became the first senior royal to attend the school, breaking from the path taken by King Charles and Prince Philip, who both studied at Gordonstoun in Scotland. Harry later joined his older brother at Eton.
William has spoken positively about his years there and reportedly returned to the campus with Kate Middleton to help George settle in. Like other new students, George began with a private room containing the basic furniture needed to sleep and study.
