Meghan Markle "Nervous" Over UK Potential School Runs Amid Ongoing Security Row
Harry and Meghan prepare for their children's school runs as safety concerns loom.
The Sussex family made a quiet return to the UK last week before schools start in September. It has been reported that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have been enrolled in a British school after their names moved off the waiting list. Although unconfirmed, the family is reportedly staying at a private property in the Cotswolds. They have enrolled their children at a prep school for the September term, motivated by a desire for Archie and Lilibet to receive their education in the UK. However, as parents, the Duke and Duchess remain deeply concerned about the children's safety, especially as they lack tax-funded police protection.
According to The Sun, a close source has claimed that Meghan Markle is feeling "nervous" about potential school runs in the UK. "They go out as they need to go out, but it’s a gilded cage without protective security," a friend added. "The school run is a tricky issue, and I understand they are nervous about it." Current security measures lack heightened police surveillance, leaving their bodyguards unarmed. Even regular school drop-off and pick-up may pose safety risks without additional protective protocols. It has also been reported that the Duke gave less than two weeks' notice to the security committee, falling short of the required 28-day notification period before moving to the UK. Meanwhile, a recent poll revealed that 63% of Britons believe the Sussexes should finance their own private security.
It was revealed that Prince Harry's legal team has approached UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging her to involve herself in the decision on whether his family should be granted police protection at public expense. In a written communication, the Duke's representatives asserted that RAVEC failed to inform them about a terrorist threat, despite having intel on the matter. This statement coincides with Prince Harry expressing anger toward Britain's security management for their handling of a documented al-Qaeda threat. In November 2023, intelligence received by the FBI revealed a document from al-Qaeda that specifically mentioned plans for the "assassination" of the Duke. Latest reports suggest that a Risk Management Board has completed its first formal threat assessment after a gap of seven years and has shared its findings with RAVEC, which oversees protection for royals.
The Home Office is currently reviewing Harry's case. Prime Minister Andy Burnham noted it is a "private matter" and wished the couple well. A government spokesman stated that detailed information on these arrangements won't be provided for security reasons, as reported by GB News. Meanwhile, in a 2022 interview with The Cut, Markle expressed concerns about privacy during school pickups in the U.K., stating that such situations would attract media attention, which she firmly opposed. She clarified that wanting to protect her child does not indicate an obsession with privacy but rather reflects her commitment as a parent.
