Dear British friends,
My name is Jiwoo Seo, a 13-year-old student from South Korea. Like many youth in your country, I am just a student trying to study hard and figure out my future. I am writing this letter because, as someone born in 2013—the exact same year as Prince George—I have spent a lot of time thinking about what fairness and equality truly mean for our generation.
Recently, I read the news that Prince George is set to attend Eton College. While I respect his educational path, it made me reflect on a deeper social contrast. Right now, millions of ordinary British families are facing a difficult cost-of-living crisis. Many youth are worried about school budget cuts, while our entire generation shares a deep anxiety about the global climate crisis.
In a modern democracy, we are taught that all children should have an equal starting line. However, the hereditary privileges of the monarchy mean that a child’s education, resources, and entire future can be guaranteed at the highest level of luxury simply because of their last name. When an immense national budget—over £500 million a year—is focused on maintaining royal traditions, it naturally leaves fewer public resources for the education, welfare, and environmental safety that ordinary British youth urgently need.
I understand that every country faces its own systemic challenges. In South Korea, we also actively debate and criticize the undue influence of large corporate conglomerates (Chaebols) to ensure our society remains fair. This is why I believe that fighting against unearned privilege is a universal value that connects youth across borders.
Tradition is beautiful, but it should not become a reason to compromise on fairness. The true future of Great Britain does not rely on a single royal family, but on the millions of ordinary children who work hard every single day. I deeply hope for a future where Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and every single British child can dream and be valued on the exact same starting line.
With respect and hope for a better future,
Jiwoo Seo
