Prince Harry rules out Eton for son Archie but wants UK education

The Duke of Sussex, currently based in California with his family, has reportedly confided to close friends his desire for his children attend British schools, saying they are missing out on an "extensive family network".

However, his six-year-old son will not follow in his footsteps at Eton, a Sussex spokesman revealed.

"Prince Harry has not put his son’s name down for Eton, nor does he have any plans to do so," he said.

The comments squash recent reports which suggest Harry's preferred school for Archie was Eton because of the number of 'high-profile and politically exposed kids there'.

During his time at the £52,749-a-year private school, Harry was described by teachers as a "top tier athlete" but "weak" academically.

Writing in his memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex said that he never truly fitted in, despite several of his closest friends coming from his school days.

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His plan to send his children to UK schools may cause tension with wife Meghan, who allegedly said that sending children to boarding school was "barbaric".

According to the Daily Mail, his father King Charles is "delighted" by the news.

UK schooling would not mean the Sussexes leaving America, as Archie would be "flown back and forth at the beginning and end of term", a friend of the family said.

The announcement comes after singer Joss Stone claimed Harry asked her about moving from America back to Britain during a conversation at the WellChild Awards in London on September 8.

The Duke attended the event at the Royal Lancaster hotel during his four-day trip to the UK.

Stone said the Royal told her "how important community is for children" while praising UK schools, before asking about her family's recent transition back to life in the UK after living in the US.

She told Hello!: "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. 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."

Harry currently lives with Meghan and their children in Montecito, California.

While reports suggest the family are enjoying their time in the US, sources say it is "very likely" the children will be educated in Britain.

Grant Harrold, a former personal butler to King Charles, told Sky News Australia: 'It's very likely and it's completely possible because if they have their younger education in America, I'm sure their father will be quite keen [for them] to have a bit of a British education.

"But then it depends on how the relationship is with the rest of the family when the time comes."

Harry's visit to the UK in September saw him reunite with father for their first face-to-face meeting in 19 months.

Afterwards, the Duke told The Guardian that he would like to spend more time in the UK and that the past week had 'definitely brought that closer'.