Prince Harry rules out sending Archie to Eton, but eyes UK schooling for his children

Prince Harry has ruled out sending his son Archie to Eton College, his spokesman confirmed, even as the Duke of Sussex signals a continued interest in educating his children in the United Kingdom. The clarification comes amid renewed discussion about where Archie and his sister Lilibet should be educated, with Harry telling a friend that he values the sense of community Britain can offer for his children.

The timeline surrounding Harry’s schooling preferences has unfolded amid broader commentary about his and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s, long-term plans in relation to the United Kingdom. Several outlets reported that Harry fears his children are missing out on Britain’s extensive family network, a point cited by a friend in conversations described by tabloids. While Archie will not be enrolled at Eton, the reporting underscores the couple’s ongoing consideration of how to balance their life between the United States and Britain, even as Harry’s family remains rooted in California.

"Prince Harry has not put his son’s name down for Eton, nor does he have any plans to do so," a Sussex spokesman said in response to speculation that Eton was the preferred option for Archie because of its high-profile environment and the country’s stricter gun laws. The remark also counters reports that the prince’s choice of school would be dictated by security considerations or by his own memories of Eton, where he reportedly wrestled with academic and social fit as a pupil, despite enjoying the sports.

Harry’s relationship with Eton has long been complex. He has described enjoying certain aspects of school life, such as sports, but acknowledged feeling out of place at times. In his memoir Spare, he wrote about feeling like he didn’t truly fit in, grappling with a sense of distance from his peers. Those disclosures have colored public perception of what kind of schooling might suit his children, should he and Meghan ultimately decide to send them to a United Kingdom institution.

The discussion about Archie’s schooling surfaced as Harry and Meghan’s four-day UK visit included moments that spotlighted the prince’s ongoing ties to Britain. At the WellChild Awards in London on September 8, the Duke reportedly engaged in conversations with Joss Stone, the singer and friend who has been close to the couple for years. Stone described Harry as warm and down to earth, and she shared that he asked about their own family’s transition back to life in the UK after living in the United States. Stone’s remarks, relayed in interviews and features surrounding the event, underscored the prince’s interest in a life that keeps him closer to family and community in Britain.

During their exchange, Stone noted Harry’s praise for British schooling and the importance of a supportive local network for children. She explained that Harry asked about how her family had adjusted to life back in the UK, emphasizing the values that first drew the couple to consider a future in Britain for their children. The WellChild Awards, which recognize families and caregivers who support seriously ill children, provided a backdrop for discussions about education, security, and belonging in a country that Harry has described as his homeland and one he still misses.

The Daily Mail reported in recent days that a friend claimed Harry wants to educate Prince Archie, now six, and Princess Lilibet, four, in the UK, drawing on personal ties to Ludgrove and Eton as part of a longer-term plan. The friend emphasized that the prince values not only academic outcomes but also a British educational culture that he associates with safety and a robust family network. At the same time, Meghan is said to view boarding schools as barbaric, a sentiment that adds a layer of negotiation to any discussions about where the children should study.

The conflicting views have fueled speculation about how the couple will navigate schooling as they balance time between California and Britain. The king has been described as delighted by the prospect of Harry spending more time in the United Kingdom, a sentiment reflected by several aides who have highlighted the importance of family cohesion within the monarchy. Still, a range of sources note that conversations with Meghan about education remain ongoing, and that any final decision will reflect both parents’ perspectives and the best interests of the children.

Observers have also pointed to the contrast between Harry’s public statements about life in the United States and his earlier remarks about returning to Britain. During a December event in New York, he spoke of enjoying life in the US and the sense that it was the life his mother would have wished for him. In that context, the possibility of a future in which his children attend British schools appears to hinge on a broader assessment of how best to maintain ties to the family’s British network while ensuring their safety and well-being in any environment.

The question of British schooling has also intersected with the broader family dynamic. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have chosen Lambrook School in Berkshire for their own children, a fact that has colored the conversation about what constitutes a top-tier British education and how it aligns with family security. Harry’s own decision to relocate his family to the United States after stepping back as a senior royal has not dampened the interest in a future move that would bring Archie and Lilibet into a more formal British schooling framework. Some observers have suggested that a phased return to the UK could accompany other family reunions and security considerations, particularly as Harry resumes a more active role in public life during visits to the country.

As Harry’s UK trip continued, reports emerged that he also sought to spend more time in Britain, telling The Guardian that he would welcome greater proximity to his homeland. The journey included a face-to-face meeting with King Charles at Clarence House—Harry’s first in nearly 19 months—an encounter that public observers described as a symbol of renewed, albeit cautious, family engagement.

If the couple decides to pursue education in the UK for Archie and Lilibet, it could mark a significant shift in how the family approaches schooling in light of the children’s American upbringing. The discussions are likely to center on balancing cultural and familial ties with considerations of safety, community, and the desire to foster a sense of belonging in a country that remains central to Harry’s identity and his family’s long-standing place in public life.

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The public discussion surrounding Archie’s education, including potential UK enrollment and the possibility of a return to British life, continues to unfold against the backdrop of continuing media attention and the couple’s ongoing involvement in charitable and cultural initiatives. As the family navigates these decisions, the central questions remain: where will Archie and Lilibet grow up, how will they balance two continents, and how will their schooling reflect the values and security expectations that Harry and Meghan have articulated over the years?

Ultimately, the decision will hinge on a combination of parental priorities, the children’s needs, and the evolving reality of a family that has long sought to maintain strong ties to both their American home and the British sovereign context that remains a defining element of their public narrative.