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The Prince of Wales and Sooty... Apparently, the royal children were big fans growing up.
Based on what we've heard he thought Gordonstoun would be good for Charles once he got used to it.If philip was all that emotional about Charles and his school, why not move the boy to another school like Eton where he woudl be happier?
Based on what we've heard he thought Gordonstoun would be good for Charles once he got used to it.
No, but they were both put in boarding schools giving them a very limited time per year to spend with their family so it wasn't the system that Charles had any problems with, but the school itself.I think it’s very significant that, whatever Prince Philip thought would be good for his son, when that son’s turn came to send his sons off to school Gordonstoun wasn’t even considered.
No, but they were both put in boarding schools giving them a very limited time per year to spend with their family so it wasn't the system that Charles had any problems with, but the school itself.
I would like to point out that one of the few bright spots during the dreadful childhood of Prince Philip were his years spent at Gordonstoun. Like most people of his class a boarding school education was seen as the best option for a good education and they had all had to adjust to being shipped off to often rudimentary accomodations in a tough environment so a child's complaints were probably seen as part of an adjustment period and would go away when they had settled in.
To me it sounds like child abuse and I would have suffered terribly myself, but they thought it was the right thing to do. Many of their class still do.
My take on your question is in the post of mine that you quoted. At the time children did what their parents told them to and the parents based that decision on what they thought was best for their children wether they liked it or not. Philip most likely thought that despite Charles's protests Gordonstoun would be the best place for his son in the long run.but the point is that if Philip were really emotional about Charles, he would have taken on board the fact that his son wasn't settling in to Gord, and hated it, and there were other schools like Eton that were closer to the RF's homes, Im not saying Phil was a monster for sending him there but I dont believe he was all that emotional about the fact that Charles didnt take to the place, he probably thought it would toughen Chas up, but was not sensitive enough to take note of the fact that Charles never did get to like the school....
It's not just a question of parental authority, the system of the times, or Gordonstoun being a bright spot for Philip.
Philip was deeply attached to the place in a way most boarders never are, because it had given him the stability and security his family wasn't able to provide. In addition to that, he was a refugee with a typical refugee parent mentality — wanting to be sure your children will be able to handle whatever life throws at them, which is why he insisted on Gordonstoun.
The fact Gordonstoun didn't work for Charles and actually backfired miserably not only obviously upset and shook Philip for his child's sake, but seems to have made him struggle with some very personal convictions as well.
I think it’s very significant that, whatever Prince Philip thought would be good for his son, when that son’s turn came to send his own sons off to school Gordonstoun wasn’t even considered.
Is there any info on choosing schools for the boys/ I know that Diana thought that Eton would not suit Harry, but other than that, I dont know what was discussed between C and Diana. I think if Di had lived, Charles might have sent Harry to Gord, if he'd liked the idea