Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are set for a very different routine as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan their return to Britain. The children have already had schools selected ahead of year three and year one, according to Hello Magazine. Their next chapter is expected to bring changes in everything from classroom structure to after-school activities. Food, timetables, and teaching methods may all feel new after life in California, where the family has been based in Montecito in recent years.
Grace Moody-Stuart Says Menus Will Feel Different
One of the first changes may come at lunchtime. Grace Moody-Stuart, consultancy director at The Good Schools Guide, pointed to a more traditional approach in British prep schools. "English schools are quite wholesome; it's lots of fish and chips. It's not all about granola and blackberries," said Grace Moody-Stuart according to Hello Magazine. The comment underlines a broader contrast between California and Britain, where school culture often leans less toward wellness trends and more toward familiar staples. That shift could be one of the first things the children notice.
UK Prep Schools Bring a More Rigorous Routine
The academic side may be an even bigger adjustment. British prep schools are often structured early and expect children to keep pace across a wide curriculum. Moody-Stuart said the system is "much more full-on even in a school that isn't highly academic and highly pressurised; it is more rigorous than it is in the States." Her assessment suggests Archie and Lilibet may need time to settle into a faster rhythm. Lessons are typically supported by homework, while schools also place strong emphasis on organisation, independence, and active participation.
Prince Harry’s Own School Path Offers a Clue
Prince Harry’s own education may help explain the family’s direction. He attended Jane Mynors' nursery in London, then Wetherby School, Ludgrove School in Berkshire, and later Eton College. That background makes it easier to see why a British prep school route could appeal to him for his children. The system is designed to build confidence as well as academic ability, with pupils encouraged to join in across school life. For Archie and Lilibet, that could mean a setting built around both tradition and broad personal development.
Archie and Lilibet Could Have Days Until 6 PM
The school day itself may be one of the biggest changes. British prep schools often run far beyond standard primary hours, with afternoons packed with music, sport, arts, and outdoor activities. "Instead of picking up a child at 3:00 pm... you'd be picking them up at 5:00 pm depending on their age or even 6:00 pm," Grace Moody-Stuart told Hello Magazine. That means the pair may soon be stepping into a schedule that is busy from morning lessons through late-day clubs, with little downtime in between.
