Prince Harry has ruled out sending his six-year-old son Archie to Eton College but remains determined that both Archie and four-year-old Lilibet receive part of their education in the United Kingdom - a decision insiders say risks intensifying tensions with wife Meghan Markle.
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex confirmed to the Daily Mail, "Prince Harry has not put his son's name down for Eton, nor does he have any plans to do so." The denial ended months of speculation that Archie would follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince William and King Charles, who all attended the elite $62,000-a-year boarding school.
Despite his rejection of Eton, Harry has been telling friends that he believes his children are missing out on the "extensive family network" available to royal relatives living in the UK. One friend told the Daily Mail that "Harry feels his children are missing out on the extensive family network that their niece and nephews are enjoying. Harry wants his children to have the very best education."
The duke's preference for a British education clashes with Meghan Markle's reported skepticism about UK boarding schools. "Meghan sees boarding school as a barbaric idea. She prefers to keep the children close and doesn't share Harry's fondness for the British system," a source close to the couple said.
King Charles is said to be quietly supportive of Harry's stance. A family friend told RadarOnline.com, "The king is very pleased that Harry wants his children to keep ties with Britain. He views it as an encouraging development."
Harry's interest in UK schooling surfaced during his recent trip to London for the WellChild Awards, where British singer Joss Stone said the prince praised UK schools and stressed the importance of "community" for children. "Maybe Harry will move back, too," Stone told reporters, adding that she and Harry shared a conversation about raising children near family.
According to friends, Harry has discussed the logistics of transatlantic schooling, including flying Archie back and forth for school terms. "The plan isn't to leave California, but to have Archie - and later Lilibet - come over for school. Harry thinks the travel is a small price to pay," one insider said.
Grant Harrold, former butler to King Charles, said such an arrangement is plausible. "If they start younger education in America, Harry will still be keen for them to have some British schooling. It will depend on family relations when the time comes."
In his memoir Spare, Harry described Eton as "a profound shock," saying that although it was "heaven for brilliant boys," it felt like "purgatory" for him. He also recalled that Prince William distanced himself socially, leaving him feeling isolated during his school years.
