The Royal Family has had mixed A level fortunes over the years(Image: Samir Hussein, Samir Hussein/WireImagevia Getty Images)Teenagers across the nation have discovered their A-level results, finding out if their two years of hard work have paid off. It’s a nerve-jangling time for most, but the Royal Family face an additional layer of pressure as they must unveil their results under the public gaze.
Despite the assumption that top-tier private education guarantees stellar grades, this hasn’t always held true for the Royals, who boast a varied range of exam results. While the late Queen spent her early days mastering the intricacies of monarchy, her offspring enjoyed a more conventional educational journey, with all the younger royals pursuing their A levels and nearly all progressing to university, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Here’s a look at how some members of the Royal family fared in their A-level exams.
Prince William
The Prince of Wales received his education at independent schools, including the renowned Eton College, which he joined in 1995. By 2000, he had achieved a mixed bag of A-level results, securing an A in geography, a B in art, and a C in biology.
Upon leaving Eton, William embarked on a gap year, during which he underwent army training in Belize and travelled to Africa. The subsequent year, William proceeded to study History of Art at St Andrews University in Scotland, before switching his course to geography.
He obtained an upper second class honours degree in 2005. It was at St Andrews University where he encountered his future spouse, Catherine Middleton.
Prince Harry
Somewhat less scholarly than his elder sibling, Harry secured two passes with a B in art and a D in geography in 2003. Upon the announcement, his father released a statement on the Royal website saying: “I am very proud of Harry. He has worked hard for these examinations and I am very pleased with today’s results.”
Like his brother, he attended Eton college, but chose not to pursue university. The Duke of Sussex thrived in sporting activities and instead followed a distinguished military career.
Before this however, Harry embarked on a gap year during which he journeyed across Australia, Africa and Argentina.
Catherine Middleton
The Princess of Wales was educated at an independent boarding school in Wiltshire. She attained superior A level results compared to Prince William, securing As in maths and art, plus a B in English.
Nevertheless she didn’t proceed directly to university, as Catherine also took a year off for travel, though her timing didn’t coincide with William’s. In 2003 she enrolled at St Andrews University and completed her studies in the same year as her future husband, earning a 2:1 in History of Art.
Meghan Markle
Being American, Meghan didn’t sit any A levels owing to differences in the education system. The Duchess of Sussex, who was raised in Hollywood and privately educated, completed her secondary education at Immaculate Heart High School.
She participated in numerous theatre productions at the school before earning a bachelor’s degree in 2003. She pursued Theatre and International Studies at Northwestern University’s School of Communication.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
Eugenie could be considered the most academically accomplished young Royal based on grades, having achieved two As in art and English Literature, and a B in history of art.
She outperformed her older sister Beatrice, who received an A in drama and Bs in history and film studies.
Beatrice later earned a 2:1 from Goldsmith’s in History of Ideas. Eugenie studied English Literature, History of Art and Politics at Newcastle and graduated with a 2:1 at the end of her three-year course in 2012.
King Charles
King Charles, father to Harry and William, also performed well in his A-level exams. He was educated at Gordonstoun school, the same institution where his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, was schooled.
He left with five O-levels (GCSEs) and two A levels – a B in history and a C in French. The Prince of Wales then attended Cambridge University where he achieved a 2:2 degree in History.
More recently, Lady Louise Windsor, the youngest granddaughter of the late Queen, received her A level results in 2022.
She pursued English, history, politics and drama. Buckingham Palace didn’t disclose Lady Louise’s results, but it is known that she followed her cousin to St Andrews – one of the nation’s leading universities.
The standard entry grades for this Scottish university are set at AAA, and the minimum entry grades for English – the course she is studying – are ABB.