Britain's Prince Edward turned down a school pupil who asked him to sign a royal decree to stop all homework.

The 48-year-old royal - who is seventh in line to the throne - was asked by youngster Michael Hare if he would pardon all pupils in year right at Lagan College in Northern Ireland from having to undertake extra-curricular work, but he refused saying his headteacher would not be happy if he did.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, the pupil said: "He said this is absolutely great - he was very enthusiastic and he said 'very tempting, good idea'.

"But he said Ms McNamee (the head teacher) wouldn't be very happy about it. It's a tiny bit disappointing but I don't really mind homework."

Michael got the idea in a history lesson where he was learning about Normans in Ireland.

He said: "In history we're learning about the Normans coming to Ireland and I think it's Strongbow who gets a royal pardon from the king and that gave me the idea," he said.

"I started sort of talking to my class about it and they said 'yes really do it' and then they sort of pushed me along to it and I said, 'Yes I'll do it.' "