Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Pull Archie and Lilibet Out of School After Just Two Days
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the 'difficult' decision on the advice of their security team, despite checks during the summer holidays.
THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have pulled their two children out of their first school, just two days after term began.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have already moved their kids, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to a different school due to security concerns. According to reports, the couple decided on the change on the advice of their security team and not due to any dislike of the school itself.
Bodyguards hired by the Sussexes apparently carried out their own security checks during the summer months before the family's bombshell return to the UK; however, the hired team were not able to properly test the school run until term started with adequate traffic buildup.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were advised to change schools (Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Yui Mok - WPA Pool)
Contributing factors to their decision included the heavy traffic in the area, which put the small and private security team under significant strain. Concerns were also raised when one incident made it challenging for their cars to stay in convoy. This was reportedly compounded by the distance between where the Sussexes were living and the school itself.
A friend of the couple emphasised to HELLO! Magazine that it was a difficult decision to make by the pair, but ultimately the team could not make the school run secure enough.
"It’s a real shame, because they absolutely adored the school, the kids and their parents," the source told the publication. "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."
"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 Royal Observer has approached representatives for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.
This news comes after Meghan was granted her first security review backed by the government since stepping back as a working member of the Royal Family in 2020. The Duke and Duchess were asked by RAVEC (The Royal and VIP Executive Committee) to provide details of daily movements, which include the school run, to evaluate any modifications to the threat the couple face.
A spokesperson for the couple previously told HELLO! Magazine: "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."