Harry and Meghan ‘pull Archie and Lilibet from school over security concerns’Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly change Archie and Lilibet’s school just days after term begins amid issues raised by private security teamThe Standard composite Matt Watts, News Editor2 minutes ago
COMMENTS
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly changed their children’s school over security concerns.
Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, only met their new classmates last week after the start of term.
But Prince Harry and Meghan have decided to withdraw them on the advice of their security team, according to HELLO! magazine.
Sources close to the couple told the publication there was no issue with the school itself, but rather with the practicalities of getting them there and back.
Heavy traffic in the area and the distance between the school and where they are living are thought to have been contributing factors, putting their small, private security team under strain, according to reports.
One incident made it difficult for their vehicles to stay in convoy, which raised further concerns, HELLO! reported.
“It’s a real shame, because they absolutely adored the school, the kids and their parents. It was perfect for them in every way and the children really enjoyed their time there. They really wanted to make it work, but they had to make a difficult decision based on the fact that the team couldn’t make the school run operationally secure,” a friend of the couple told the publication.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess told HELLO!: “The decision for the children to move school was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements.
“The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family. This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.”
It comes amid an ongoing row over the security for Prince Harry and his family after their return to the UK.
Harry and Meghan stepped away from the working monarchy six years ago in search of personal and financial freedom in the US.
Some two weeks ago, they moved back, having enrolled their children in British school, with Meghan rumoured to be returning to acting again.
Read More
King’s aide encourages Uganda back into Invictus Games fold
Fragment of the Standard from 1889 discovered under floorboards of Buckingham Palace
Meghan shares video of family outings back in the UK
Art After Dark is back with an exciting calendar of cultural events
It is understood the family have based themselves at a private property outside of London in the Cotswolds area.
In January 2020, the duke and duchess had announced they intended to step back as “senior” members of the royal family, become financially independent, still support Queen Elizabeth II, but split their time between the UK and North America.
But the late Queen ruled at the Sandringham Summit, which was convened to resolve the Megxit crisis, that the couple could not be half in and half out – with the King recently asserting the agreement still stands.
Prince Harry and Meghan have been told they will have their security reviewed following their move back.
The issue has been a major cause of tension between the Sussexes and the Home Office committee which decides on the security provision for high-profile royals and politicians.
The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) has now written to the Duke of Sussex and informed him that his situation was discussed at a meeting last week, it has been reported.
It was decided that Harry should get a full review of his security now that he is resident in his home country and his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have started school in Britain.
The official review carried out by Ravec is called a Risk Management Board, or RMB.
The committee has also decided that the Duchess of Sussex should have her own RMB at the same time.
It’s the first review of the potential risks and threats facing Meghan since the couple left the Monarchy in 2020.
By contrast, Harry only had a new RMB completed in July – just eight weeks ago.
MORE ABOUT