Harry and Meghan’s starkly different educations as they eye up £40k school for Lilibet

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have undertaken the process of identifying a suitable educational institution for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It is noteworthy that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex themselves had markedly contrasting educational experiences. Recent reports suggest that the couple has already initiated their search for an appropriate school for their daughter Lilibet, following her third birthday earlier this month.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly considering enrolling their youngest child in a prestigious educational institution located in Montecito, California, where they reside. The school in question charges an annual tuition fee of approximately $60,000 and is also being considered as an option for their son, Prince Archie, who recently turned five years old in May.

While their exploration of elite educational facilities has sparked some controversy, it is understandable that Meghan and Harry, like most parents, desire the best possible education for their children. Prince Harry himself attended renowned schools during his formative years, while Meghan Markle’s educational journey was equally noteworthy, shaping her into the woman she is today.

Prince Harry’s formative years were shaped by his attendance at prestigious educational institutions, where concerted efforts were made to provide him and his brother, Prince William, with a sense of normalcy and protection from the public scrutiny surrounding their parents’ marital discord and subsequent divorce.

Initially, the young princes were enrolled at Wetherby School before transitioning to the esteemed Ludgrove School, where they resided as weekly boarders from the ages of 8 to 13. The headmasters at Ludgrove, Gerald Barber and Nichol Marston, who jointly held the position from 1973 to 2004, were commended by Prince Harry in his memoir, “Spare,” as “legends” for their dedication to preserving a sense of normalcy in the brothers’ educational experience.

To shield the princes from the media frenzy surrounding the issues within the royal family, the headmasters implemented stringent rules for both teachers and pupils. These measures included banning television viewing, except for educational purposes, to minimize exposure to gossip and headlines concerning the acrimonious divorce of their parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Ludgrove School, with its annual tuition fee of £33,300, was situated approximately 30 minutes from Windsor Castle and served as a sanctuary for the brothers during their formative years, providing a safe haven where they could pursue their studies away from the public eye.

After completing his education at Ludgrove, Prince Harry attended the prestigious Eton College as a boarder from the ages of 13 to 18. Unlike his brother, Prince Harry opted not to pursue university education and instead embarked on a ten-month officer commissioning training program at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Following his training, Prince Harry served in the Army for ten years, eventually attaining the rank of Captain and undertaking two active duty tours in Afghanistan.

While Prince Harry completed his studies at Eton with two A-Levels – a ‘B’ in Art and a ‘D’ in Geography – he has confessed that he does not recall his early days at the world-famous college with particular fondness. During his media interviews to promote his memoir, “Spare,” Prince Harry opened up about his feelings of not fitting in at the school and not being welcomed by his elder brother.

Regarding his relationship with his sibling, Prince Harry touched upon his disappointment at Prince William’s apparent reluctance to spend time with him at secondary school. In an interview with TV host Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, the Duke of Sussex revealed that when he expressed his desire to spend time with his brother at school, Prince William responded by suggesting they pretend not to know each other. Prince Harry admitted that this rejection hurt him at the time, as he could not comprehend the reasoning behind it and took it personally.

While Meghan Markle’s origins were comparatively modest in contrast to her husband’s, a fortuitous turn of events transpired when her father, Thomas Markle, emerged victorious in the lottery in 1990. He prudently allocated a portion of his winnings to finance his daughter’s private school education. Meghan commenced her secondary education at Immaculate Heart High School in 1992, where she was recognized as a diligent and focused student.

During her formative years in high school, the Duchess of Sussex participated in theatrical productions at both Immaculate Heart and Loyola High School. Her former drama teacher, Gigi Perreau, who directed Meghan in seven plays, recounted that her former pupil “sparkled.” She remarked, “You see someone nice to the other kids, who gets good grades, doesn’t say anything bad about anybody.”

Subsequently, she pursued a double major in Theatre and International Relations at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, graduating in 2003. While attending university, the Duchess undertook an internship at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she acquired proficiency in the Spanish language. Additionally, she studied French for a duration of six years.

Given their privileged upbringing and exposure to private education, it is unsurprising that they are actively seeking prestigious educational institutions for their own offspring.