Talk about arriving at a full circle moment! Well, almost!
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is reportedly “quite keen” on the idea of his children, Prince Archie (6) and Princess Lilibet (4), experiencing part of their education in the United Kingdom and growing up with British education imbued in them.
Though the Sussex family—Harry, along with Meghan Markle and their two kids—continues to reside in Montecito, California, since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 (Re: the Megxit), educational considerations for the kids and recent reconciliation talks (since King Charles’ cancer diagnosis) with Buckingham Palace have brought back the speculation about whether Archie and Lili might attend British schooling in the future.
So, here’s the big question: Are the Sussexes going to return to the UK soon?
The rumored yearning
Grant Harrold, former personal butler to King Charles III, recently indicated that Harry is keen for Archie and Lilibet to follow in his footsteps by receiving at least part of their education in the UK. Harrold told Study Dog that while both children are enrolled in American schools, Harry is open to them experiencing British education later on. “It’s very likely and completely possible,” he stated. However, he noted that much hinges on the Sussexes’ future relationship with the royal family.
The real ground
All that yearning is only good for daydreaming, at least for now.
Despite speculation, sources close to the Sussex camp say they have no intention of moving back to the UK anytime soon. According to PEOPLE, after a July meeting between Meghan and Harry’s aides and the Palace communications team, the couple reiterated they’re happy with their California life and have no current plans to relocate. Apparently, the meeting was framed more as an olive branch than a path toward reverse migration.
Besides, the chronic shadow of security (lack of it) and scrutiny (too much of it) always looms.
A major barrier remains the family's diminished security in the UK. Harry lost his appeal this year to reinstate taxpayer-funded protection and has repeatedly voiced fears for his family’s safety, citing parallels to his mother’s tragic, fatal paparazzi pursuit. “I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK,” he told the BBC in May, adding that without reliable protection, he would not return.
A royal reconciliation on the cards?
Despite the pressing concern over security and the evidently strained relationships due to a number of rifts, all hope is not lost. In fact, recent reports confirm “peace talks” in London between representatives from both camps, which seems like a faint hope on the horizon. However, whether or not “improved ties” could eventually enable Archie and Lilibet to enroll in UK schools—even briefly—without requiring a permanent family move, remains to be seen.
But what if…?
What if British education really does get chalked out for Archie and Lilibet?
Surely, we haven’t forgotten the scenes from The Crown, where schooling quite literally looked like struggling?
If we go by the pattern, if British schooling happens, it’s likely to take the form of a boarding school in their teen years or a university education later. It is no secret that even now, traditional boarding routes remain popular among royals, though not as dominant as before. In fact, Harry attended Ludgrove and Eton, while his father and brother followed traditional university or military paths. Meanwhile, Meghan, for her part, has previously expressed concern over UK school hostage-style drop-offs due to media presence, and the general ‘vibe’ around the strict and disciplinary British schooling experience, instead of a more relaxed and flexible one in the United States of America.
Although the stringent routine has become way more relaxed now, even amongst the royals. To speak for it, Prince William’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are attending UK day schools like Lambrook. However, Prince George, the heir in line for the throne, is expected to join Eton next year, signaling evolving royal norms in education.
For now, Archie and Lilibet attend local schools near their Montecito home. Meghan has often described building a more traditional, community‑centred upbringing, complete with school playdates, obstacle‑course winter camps, and sunny beach days intact from the glaring paparazzi intrusion. Harry and Meghan are reportedly “very happy” raising their two children in sunny California, where they emphasize privacy and normalcy.