Speculation ran high earlier this week after reports suggested that Prince Harry and Meghan were preparing to enroll their eldest son, Prince Archie, at Eton College — the prestigious Windsor boarding school known for educating generations of royal heirs. T
he rumor gained traction following Harry’s recent meeting with King Charles, sparking hopes of a potential Sussex return to the UK. But the Duke has now firmly dismissed the claims.
Rumors Sparked by “Friends of Harry”
The Daily Beast quoted individuals described as “friends of Prince Harry,” alleging that Archie, age six, had already been registered at Eton. The story quickly ignited discussion, as it implied a Sussex homecoming where Archie might study alongside his royal cousins — perhaps even softening the family rift.
Harry’s own recent remarks about being “closer” to bringing his children back to the UK only added fuel. Yet, considering his long-standing criticisms of his time at the school, the prospect always seemed unlikely.
Harry’s Difficult Years at Eton
In his memoir Spare, Harry painted a stark picture of his Eton experience, calling it “heaven for brilliant boys, it could thus only be purgatory for one very unbrilliant boy.”
He described how Prince William distanced himself from him during their school years, writing, “For the last two years, [William] explained, Eton had been his sanctuary. No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle. He was forging his own life, and he wasn’t willing to give that up.” For many, these passages made it difficult to imagine Harry willingly placing Archie in an environment he once considered isolating.
Joss Stone’s Comments Add to Speculation
Fueling the conversation further was British singer Joss Stone, a longtime friend of Harry’s, who shared details of their chat at the WellChild Awards in London.
Having recently moved back to the UK with her family, Stone said Harry was curious about her return. “He also asked about how we were settling back in and was genuinely interested in our move home. He’s just very warm and down to earth, as always. Maybe Harry will move back, too. That would be nice,” she told HELLO!
She also recalled Harry’s reflections on the UK’s schools. “He was saying how wonderful the schools are here and how important community is for children,” Stone said.
“It was nice to share that with him because it’s exactly why we felt drawn to come back — for the kids to grow up surrounded by family, friends, and a strong sense of belonging and most importantly in a safe environment.”
Official Denial from Harry’s Team
Reports in the Daily Mail went as far as suggesting Harry had discussed education plans for Archie with King Charles during their meeting. However, Harry’s spokesperson quickly issued a clarification. “Prince Harry has not put his son’s name down for Eton, nor does he have any plans to do so,” the statement confirmed, putting the speculation to rest.