A-level results: Prince William, Kate Middleton and Harry's grades with one royal failing

Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

As teenagers across England and Wales nervously receive their A-level results today, in previous years members of the Royal Family have been among them, with not everyone going home with the results they wanted
What did the royals get in their A-levels? Find out here
Being a Royal doesn't exempt you from school exams - just ask Prince William, Prince Harry or even King Charles.
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As A-level results are released today for nervous teenagers across England and Wales, it's worth remembering that members of the Royal Family, including the Princess of Wales, have been in their shoes, anxiously awaiting their grades.
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Some royals have excelled academically, earning top grades and securing places at prestigious universities where they achieved impressive degrees. However, others didn't fare as well with formal education and have fewer qualifications to their name. Here's how they all did in their school exams....
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Prince William
William began his studies at the esteemed Eton College in 1995 and when he collected his A-level results five years later in 2000, his grades were a slight mixed bag. He achieved an A in geography, a B in art and a C in biology.
These grades secured him a place to study History of Art at St Andrews University in Scotland, but he later switched courses to Geography.
Before embarking on university life, William took a gap year, travelling to Chile, Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana. His time at university proved to be significant in more than just academics as this is when he met his future wife Kate and their romance blossomed. He graduated from St Andrews with a 2:1 degree.
Kate Middleton
William and Kate have long been known for their competitive nature - and Kate outperformed William in their A-levels, earning better grades than him on results day. She attended Marlborough College in Wiltshire for her A-levels and her diligence resulted in As in Maths and Art, and a B in English.
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Her impressive grades secured her a place at St Andrew's University in Scotland - where she would meet her future husband. Like William, Kate took a gap year before starting university and the pair undertook a very similar trip, although their dates didn't overlap. Kate graduated from St Andrews in 2005 with a 2:1 in History of Art.
Prince Harry
It's fair to say that Prince Harry wasn't as academically inclined as his older brother William during his time at Eton. He left the prestigious school with slightly lower grades - a B in Art and D in Geography at A-level.
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However, during his school years, Harry was House Captain of Games, represented the school in rugby, cricket and polo, and was a member of the Combined Cadet Force. After completing his A-levels in 2003, Harry took a gap year, travelling to Australia, Africa and Argentina. He opted not to attend university, instead joining the Army where he embarked on a successful military career.
King Charles
King Charles had a unique education compared to his sons, as his father, the late Prince Philip, was adamant about sending him to Gordonstoun, a private school in Scotland that blends academics with outdoor activities.
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He left with five O-levels (GCSEs) and two A-levels - a B in History and a C in French. He then proceeded to Cambridge University where he earned a 2:2 degree in History. It's rumoured that his bodyguard, who attended all lectures with the young prince, also sat the exams and achieved a First.
Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle, having been educated in America, did not follow the same exam system as the rest of the Royal Family.
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Meghan, who began her secondary education at Immaculate Heart High School in 1992, was known as a diligent and focused student. The US doesn't use GCSEs or A-levels for student assessment, and while Meghan's SAT scores (the test used for university entry) haven't been disclosed, it's known that she achieved the grades necessary for university admission.
She went on to earn a double major in Theatre and International Relations from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in 2003. During her university years, she undertook an internship at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she picked up Spanish. She also studied French for six years.
Queen Camilla
Camilla first attended Dumbrells School in Sussex, before moving on to Queen's Gate School in South Kensington. However, she only managed to secure one O-level and didn't achieve any A-levels.
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Following this, she attended Mon Fertile, a finishing school in Switzerland, and also studied at the Institut Britannique in Paris.
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice
Princess Eugenie is likely the most academically accomplished Royal in terms of grades. Her two As in Art and English Literature and B in History of Art, surpassed her older sister Princess Beatrice, who received an A in Drama and Bs in History and Film Studies.
Beatrice went on to earn a 2:1 from Goldsmiths University in History of Ideas. Eugenie studied English Literature, History of Art and Politics at Newcastle University and graduated at the end of her three-year course in 2012 with a 2:1.
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Lady Louise Windsor
Lady Louise Windsor, the youngest granddaughter of the late Queen, received her A-level results in 2022. Now aged 21, she's following in the footsteps of her older cousin William and his wife Kate by studying at St Andrews University.
Buckingham Palace didn't disclosed Louise's results, but given that St Andrews is one of the country's top universities, with standard entry grades set at AAA and minimum entry grades of ABB for English - the course she's studying - it's safe to assume she did very well. The eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh is about to embark on her fourth and final year.
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Princess Diana
Princess Diana didn't fare quite as well academically, failing all her O-levels twice. Despite this, she reportedly excelled in deportment, having attended a finishing school in Switzerland.
Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward
Princess Anne was educated at Benenden school in Kent where she achieved six O-levels, and three A-levels in English, History and Politics. Prince Andrew, like his older brother, attended Gordonstoun, with his academic achievements mirroring Anne's - six O-levels and A-levels in English, History and Politics.
Prince Edward also attended Gordonstoun, securing nine O-levels and three A-levels in English, History and Politics. He then went on to earn a 2:2 degree in History from Cambridge University.