Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are heading off to a British school this month, and one school in the English countryside has taken it upon itself to address the royal rumors. Ahead of the start of term, a preparatory school in Oxfordshire sent a letter to parents regarding speculation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children might be attending.
In the letter, verified and obtained by HELLO!, parents were informed that "despite the gossip" that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might have been considering the private school for their kids, "no application" as of September 1 had appeared on the headmaster's desk, but the school's admissions team was said to be remaining "ever vigilant."
When news broke two weeks ago that the Sussexes were moving back to the UK for an extended stay after six years in the United States, it was revealed that Meghan and Harry had already enrolled their son and daughter at a British school. Prince Archie, seven, is entering Year 3, while Princess Lilibet, five, is starting Year 1. Due to security concerns, the name of the school they'll be going to has been kept private.
© InstagramGrace Moody-Stuart, a spokesperson for Good Schools Guide, previously shared that she believes the Sussex siblings will attend the same school. "I think they would be wise to do that because it is a big culture shock, however much, you know, their father's British, etc. I think it's a massive culture shock moving from a different country," Grace explained to HELLO!.
According to Grace, what's "wonderful about a country school is that" they're "not especially selective, academically, so it's not all about just, you know, who's the best in the class. Class or at maths or whatever."
She also noted that if the Duke and Duchess "are choosing a sort of coed prep outside London, it will be a much more freestyle, much less pressured environment than perhaps Harry experienced."
Growing up in the UK, Prince Harry attended Mrs Mynor's Nursery School, Wetherby School, Ludgrove School and Eton College, where his nephew Prince George will be starting this month.
© InstagramThe Duke of Sussex praised British schools while at the WellChild Awards last year. Recalling her conversation with Prince Harry at the event, singer Joss Stone told HELLO!: "He was saying how wonderful the schools are here and how important community is for children. 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."
Meghan, meanwhile, has expressed in the past a concern about sending Archie to school in the UK. During an interview with The Cut, published in 2022, she remarked that if her son were a student at a school in the UK, she wouldn't be able to do school runs without it being a photo call. The Duchess told the outlet at the time: "Sorry, I have a problem with that. That doesn’t make me obsessed with privacy. That makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child."
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