The Princess Royal recalls her own school days as Harry and Meghan dismiss Eton rumours
Princess Anne has offered her perspective on boarding school life, just as questions about Prince Archie’s future education made headlines.
During her first visit as patron of the Naval Children’s Charity on September 24, the Princess Royal praised the sense of consistency that boarding schools can provide. “One of the charities I’m doing puts children into boarding schools, and the thing they always say is that it gives them stability,” she explained. “I think that’s true for a lot of people, that level of stability, because otherwise it leaves gaps in your life which are difficult to manage.”
Her remarks came a day after Harry and Meghan Markle’s spokesperson confirmed they have “no plans” to send their six-year-old son to Eton College, despite speculation that Harry had already enrolled him.
Anne, who spent five years at Benenden School, also chatted with student Clarice McEwan, who told her she “really loves boarding.” The Princess laughed and reflected that her own school days were “a long time ago now.”
Boarding has been a long-standing tradition in the royal family. Anne’s brothers — Charles, Andrew, and Edward — all attended boarding schools, as did her children, Peter and Zara. While that pattern has continued for generations, Harry and Meghan appear set on choosing a different path for their children.
