Institut Le Rosey, known as "the school of kings," boasts alumni like royalty (King Juan Carlos I of Spain, King Albert II of Belgium), influential figures (former CIA Director Richard Helms, Aga Khan IV), and celebrities/musicians (Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, Sean Lennon, Tracee Ellis Ross). Its famous attendees include many royals, billionaires (Rothschilds, Rockefellers), and children of famous parents from entertainment, politics, and business.
Annual fees for a single student are CHF 115,500 ($118,299 / £87,669), payable in two instalments (of CHF 77,000 and CHF 38,500). The Institut le Rosey has held this record since the first edition of Guinness World Records (in 1955), when its fees were apparently £1,000 per student per year.
Le Rosey has educated several monarchs, including the Aga Khan IV, King Albert II of Belgium, King Baudouin I of Belgium, King Fuad II of Egypt, King Ntare V of Burundi, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Persia and Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
Getting into Institut Le Rosey is extremely difficult, often described as nearly impossible for many, due to high demand, a focus on exceptional talent (academics, arts, sports), a strict quota system for nationalities, strong family connections (royalty, elite), and limited spots (around 80-90 new students from 400 applicants). It's known as the "School of Kings" for educating royalty and the super-wealthy, requiring exceptional extracurriculars and strong family ties alongside academic prowess, making it highly selective.
The royal who famously chose not to attend Princess Diana's 1997 funeral was Sophie Rhys-Jones (now the Duchess of Edinburgh), who decided against going because her resemblance to Diana might upset the grieving crowds, a decision supported by the Royal Family. While others like Camilla Parker Bowles also weren't there, Sophie's absence was due to this specific, considerate reason.
Founded in 1880, Institut Le Rosey offers a rounded bilingual education in English and/or French for 440 students aged 8-18, leading to the IB Diploma and French baccalauréat.
Established in 1880, there's a high chance Switzerland's Le Rosey wins the title as the world's most expensive and exclusive private school, where parents fork out £150,000 a year for their children to live among princes, shahs, and baby billionaires.
There's no single "#1" boarding school, as rankings vary by criteria (academics, culture, location), but Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, and The Hotchkiss School consistently rank at the very top across multiple lists, known for elite academics, strong college placement (especially Ivy League), and historical prestige, with Exeter famous for its Harkness method and Andover for its tradition.
Before she became the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton attended Marlborough College - a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Wiltshire, England. Marlborough College welcomes boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18.
New York University (NYU) consistently ranks as having the most celebrity alumni, particularly due to its famous Tisch School of the Arts, boasting numerous Academy, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award winners like Lady Gaga, Spike Lee, and Martin Scorsese, while Harvard University and UCLA also produce many famous figures, especially in entertainment and politics, with Harvard leading in overall billionaires.
Zuckerberg attended Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, one of America's most prestigious boarding schools. Boarding School Review His experience underscores the role of a boarding school in fostering both academic challenge and social maturity.
Half of Hollywood canoodling x 20 years = a crop of celebrity scions who are now ruling the campuses of New England's oldest institutions, as well as the increasingly competitive so-called “new Ivies” (schools like Notre Dame, New York University, Duke, Emory, Rice, Vanderbilt, Northwestern and Washington University).
John Lennon's son Sean is an ancien Roséen, as are offspring of Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor and – somewhat surprisingly – two members of indie rock band the Strokes. The cost of educating one's son or daughter at Le Rosey is around $130,000 per year.
Students also learn humility and work ethic by wearing formal attire for dinner and taking turns serving as waiters and staff, all for a hefty $133,000 per year. Institut Le Rosey's famous alumni reportedly include King Albert II of Belgium, the Shah of Iran, Prince Rainier of Monaco, and King Farouk of Egypt.
The Dress Code for formal school events (such as fêtes, conferences, etc.) and certain off-campus visits is “school uniform”. For boys, a navy blue blazer (white for Committee members and Class T) with the Rosey badge, white shirt, school tie, grey trousers, and black shoes.
Billionaires send their children to elite private schools, both day and boarding, like Choate Rosemary Hall, Phillips Academy Andover, and The Lawrenceville School, often referred to as "Ivy League pipelines," as well as prestigious international schools like Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, for strong academics and connections, with some also choosing top public schools for better college admission odds. Top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale remain popular choices for higher education.
There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards.
According to Niche's 2026 rankings, The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT, is the #1 private high school in America, recognized for strong academics, extracurriculars, and college enrollment, followed closely by schools like Phillips Exeter Academy and Choate Rosemary Hall. Rankings vary by source, with PolarisList highlighting Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, for elite college matriculation, but Hotchkiss is consistently cited as the top overall private school in recent lists.
What were the last four words Princess Diana said before she died?
Princess Diana's last words, spoken to French firefighter Xavier Gourmelon at the crash scene in Paris, were reportedly, "My God, what's happened?," said just before she went into cardiac arrest, according to the firefighter's account. She was conscious but confused, and Gourmelon, who didn't recognize her at first, tried to save her life by performing CPR.
Did Meghan Markle inherit anything from Princess Diana?
Yes, Meghan Markle inherited several significant jewelry pieces from Princess Diana, given to her by Prince Harry, including the Cartier Tank watch, a diamond cross necklace, butterfly earrings, and an aquamarine cocktail ring she wore at her wedding reception, all from Diana's collection. These items are part of the jewelry left by Diana for her sons and their future wives, allowing Meghan to incorporate heirlooms into her public appearances.
Several royals have had titles removed, notably Prince Andrew, stripped by King Charles due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, and King Edward VIII, who abdicated for love, but also others like Prince Philip (renounced foreign titles), Princess Diana (lost HRH post-divorce), and Japanese Princess Mako, showcasing different reasons from scandal to choice.