The £40k a year Montecito school where Harry and Meghan could send Archie and Lilibet

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to look at schools in Montecito further suggests they have no plans to return to the UK.

By Catherine Meyer-Funnell, Royal Reporter based in London

Harry and Meghan's children becoming 'isolated' says Krakue

and are reportedly looking at some of the most exclusive schools in Montecito for their children and , according to a local columnist.

The Sussexes moved to California in 2020, making their home in the swanky Montecito area which is home to a variety of Hollywood stars such as Oprah Winfrey.

Richard Mineards from the Montecito Journal claimed that the couple have been considering local school options, with Archie set to turn five next week.

He wrote: "Prince Harry and former actress wife Meghan Markle are eyeing entering their two children, Archie and Lilibet, at a local private school, I can exclusively reveal.

"The Riven Rock twosome were spotted inspecting an institution's campus last week, bringing them one-step closer to a decision."

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Harry and Meghan hold baby Archie

The Sussexes may be looking at private school options for their children (Image: Getty)

The journalist explained: "School fees in our area range from £4800 ($6,000) to £40,000 ($50,000)+ for older grades, with most of the institutions having 100 per cent of students going on to attend four-year colleges."

As a child born into the Royal Family Harry attended some of the most prestigious schools in England, first Ludgrove for prep school and then Eton College.

Meghan on the other hand was born and raised in California and went to Immaculate Heart High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Los Angeles.

Montecito Village sign

Harry and Meghan are raising their children away from the royal spotlight in Montecito (Image: Getty)

Little Archie is already attending a kindergarten in the area where other celebrities such as Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are raising their children.

Mr Mineards told Hello's A Right Royal Podcast that there are also "very good" state-funded schools in Montecito, including Cold Spring School and Montecito Union School, which has "a lot of Tony names attending, children of the rich and famous."

He added: "Obviously, Harry was at Ludgrove and then at Eton College and they might go the private route, which will be something like Laguna Blanca or Cate School, which are very good private schools - so it's really up to them what kind of path they take on educating the children.

Harry and Meghan holding up baby clothes

The Duke and Duchess may choose to go private or state (Image: Getty)

"I mean, they've got the money to do it. But maybe Meghan would like to follow her normal roots and do it the state school way."

The Montecito Journal reported that Cold Spring and Montecito Union were recently ranked in first and second place in the State of California in English Language, Arts and Mathematics.

Prince William and Princess Kate have chosen the independent prep school Lambrook for their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The Wales children started at the Windsor school in 2022 following the family's move to the nearby Adelaide Cottage.

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