10 Famous Eton College Alumni and Their Achievements

10 Famous Eton College Alumni and Their Achievements

Eton College in England has a long-standing reputation for educating boys who go on to become prominent figures in various fields. Founded in 1440, this prestigious boarding school has produced prime ministers, royalty, writers, actors, and more. Its influence on British public life is significant – as of 2019, 20 British Prime Ministers have been alumni of Eton.

Eton is also known for its rich traditions (such as its distinctive school uniform), reflecting a heritage that continues into the modern day. In this post, we’ll look at ten of the most famous Eton alumni (often called “Old Etonians”).

Famous Old Etonian Royals

Prince William, Prince of Wales

As the heir to the British throne, Prince William is one of Eton’s most well-known alumni. He attended Eton College in the late 1990s, becoming the first future monarch to do so. During his time at Eton, William performed well academically (notably in geography) and on the sports field.

After graduating, he went on to St. Andrews University before dedicating himself to royal duties. Today, Prince William is admired for his charitable work and preparation for his future role as king.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Prince Harry followed in his elder brother’s footsteps by attending Eton College, where he studied from 1998 to 2003. At school he was known for his energetic spirit and love of sports, serving as a House Captain of Games. After Eton, Harry embarked on a military career, eventually serving two tours in Afghanistan.

He has since become globally recognized for founding the Invictus Games (an international sports event for wounded veterans) and for his charitable endeavours. His time at Eton provided a foundation that would later support his leadership and camaraderie in military and philanthropic life.

Eton College Alumni in Politics

Boris Johnson – Former UK Prime Minister

Boris Johnson, an Old Etonian, served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. Johnson attended Eton College in the late 1970s and early 1980s, where he was a King’s Scholar and known for his lively personality in debating societies. After Eton and Oxford, he built a career in journalism before entering politics.

As Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is perhaps best known for leading the UK during the Brexit process. His path from Eton’s classrooms to 10 Downing Street exemplifies the political tradition of many Eton alumni.

David Cameron – Former UK Prime Minister

David Cameron is another Eton-educated British Prime Minister, having led the country from 2010 to 2016. Educated at Eton in the 1980s, Cameron went on to study at Oxford and later became leader of the Conservative Party.

During his premiership, he oversaw events such as the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 EU referendum. Cameron’s tenure was marked by a modernising approach to his party, and his background as an Old Etonian frequently drew public attention to the continued influence of Eton in British politics.

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington

Stepping back in history, Arthur Wellesley – better known as the Duke of Wellington – was educated at Eton in the 18th century. Wellington is famed for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After his military triumphs, he served as British Prime Minister twice (in 1828–1830 and 1834).

The Duke of Wellington’s legacy as one of Britain’s greatest military heroes and a statesman is sometimes encapsulated by the saying that “the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.” This highlights the long tradition and influence of the school in shaping leaders.

Eton Alumni Novelists

George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair)

Author George Orwell was educated at Eton College in the early 20th century. Attending on a scholarship from 1917 to 1921, Orwell was taught French by the science fiction novelist Aldous Huxley while at school​. Although he did not proceed to university afterwards, his Eton education exposed him to a broad range of ideas and classmates from influential backgrounds.

Orwell went on to become one of the most important writers of the 20th century, known for novels 1984 and Animal Farm that critique authoritarianism. His time at Eton (where he used his birth name Eric Blair) gave him insight into the workings of class and power – themes that would later feature in his writing.

Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming, the creator of the iconic James Bond series, was also an Eton College alumnus. He attended Eton in the 1920s, where his school career was reportedly marked by a mix of academic achievement and mischievous behaviour, and he left the school before completing his studies there.

He eventually found his calling in writing and intelligence work. During World War II, Fleming worked in naval intelligence, experiences which informed his spy novels. In 1953 he published Casino Royale, introducing secret agent James Bond to the world. Fleming’s education at Eton and Sandhurst acquainted him with high society and the world of espionage – both reflected in the glamorous and adventurous life of his famous fictional character. In the novels and films, James Bond himself is an Eton alumnus.

Eton Alumni in Film & Television

Eddie Redmayne

Academy Award–winning actor Eddie Redmayne is a more recent Old Etonian who has risen to fame. Redmayne attended Eton College in the late 1990s, where he was in the same year as Prince William. At Eton he discovered his love for theatre, performing in school productions (famously as Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night).

After Eton, he studied History of Art at Cambridge, but soon his acting career took off. Eddie Redmayne earned an Oscar for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything and has starred in other acclaimed films like The Danish Girl and the Fantastic Beasts series. His success in the arts highlights the diverse talents nurtured at Eton beyond the typical paths of politics or public service. are also supervised visits to nearby Windsor – the home of Windsor Castle, one of the main residences of the British royal family.

Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston, known worldwide for his role as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is also among the most famous Eton College alumni today. He attended the school on a scholarship, graduating in 1999. Hiddleston went on to study Classics at Cambridge before pursuing acting full-time.

His breakthrough role came as the Norse god Loki, showcasing his classical training and charisma. Beyond blockbuster films, Hiddleston has also earned praise in theatre and television, including an award-winning performance in the BBC series The Night Manager.

Bear Grylls

The adventurer Bear Grylls (real name Edward Grylls) is another notable Eton alumnus, though his field is quite different from the rest on this list. He attended Eton College in the early 1990s, where he nurtured his taste for adventure (even reportedly exploring the school’s roofs and drains at night).

After Eton, Grylls served in the British Army Reserves with the SAS, and at age 23 he became one of the youngest people to scale Mount Everest. He gained international fame as the host of the survival TV show Man vs. Wild (known as Born Survivor in the UK). Bear Grylls has since authored books on outdoor survival, become the Chief Scout of the UK Scout Association, and inspired millions to explore the outdoors. His resilience and leadership echo some of the character-building experiences that boarding school life at Eton can instil.

Follow in The Footsteps of Eton College Alumni

Eton’s illustrious alumni underscore the opportunities that a world-class education can unlock. If learning about these Old Etonians has inspired you, Dukes Plus can help you follow in their footsteps

Eton College Summer Schools

We offer three incredible summer schools at Eton:

• Foundation in Global Leadership
• Foundation in STEM
• Foundation in Business

These programmes are suitable for girls and boys aged 12-16. Students live in Eton accommodation, learn in the school’s classrooms and lecture theatres, and make use of its extensive grounds and facilities. There are also supervised visits to nearby Windsor – the home of Windsor Castle, one of the main residences of the British royal family.

13+ Tutoring for Eton

Gaining admission to Eton is highly competitive. Dukes Plus provides expert one-to-one 13 Plus tutoring specifically tailored for Eton’s entrance exams and interview process.

Our tutors have extensive experience preparing students for Eton and know what the school is looking for. They can get your child ready for the ISEB Pre-Test, the Eton List Test, and Common Entrance / Scholarship exams.

Book a free consultation to discuss your tutoring requirements.