Owain Williams was awarded a sixth-form scholarship

Owain Williams, 16, who attends a Welsh-medium school in Cardiff, has won a coveted scholarship to the 600-year-old college - one of the most famous public boarding schools in the UK.

He has won one of four academic sixth-form places offered by Eton, where Prince Harry is being educated.

Mr Williams, who has been chairman of the board for four years has previously spoken of the importance of students staying in the medium of Welsh for the whole of their education.

In his professional role he is responsible for promoting and facilitating the use of the Welsh language and ensuring that public bodies treat English and Welsh on a basis of equality.

Mr Williams said he is 'delighted'

At a conference in 1999, he told delegates: "Our message to students is simple - stick with bilingual education throughout your time in school or college and you'll be better prepared for the workplace."

In a statement to the BBC, he praised the contribution his son's Welsh-medium schools had made to his achievement.

Mr Williams said: "I'm absolutely delighted that my son has won one of the most competitive educational scholarships in the UK.

"It's a tribute to his academic ability and application and also to the very fine education that he's received to date at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaff in Cardiff.

"Owain represents Wales at cricket and he's a talented organist.

"I'm very proud of my son and like any parent I hope that he has a very bright future."

Edwin Williams, General Secretary of the Welsh teachers' union UCAC, said he thought the news was "extraordinary".

"Obviously it's a personal matter for the family, I fully realise that, but it's the signals that this is going to give to other people," he said.

"The fact that Rhodri Williams is actually the chair of the Welsh Language Board who is responsible for trying to promote a bilingual Wales, I think is giving the wrong message."

Peter Hogan, the warden and head teacher of Llandovery College, an independent school in Carmarthenshire, admitted he was surprised at the decision.

"The choice where anyone sends their child is clearly their business," he said.

"But for those of us who do a lot of work promoting the Welsh language and Welsh culture, particularly when it's one of our old boys who knows the college quite well, it does come as a little bit of a surprise.

Prince Harry is the latest in a line of royal pupils

"The reasons for choosing a school are many and varied.

Mr Hogan said he did not feel Llandovery College had been snubbed by Mr Williams.

"People choose schools not on a single issue. What you have on offer at Eton will be an extremely large school, an all-boys education and very much a city-based education and I hope he enjoys it very much.

"Whatever we adults may think about it, I wouldn't like to think of any young man having his sixth form tainted by the decisions of his parents."