Prince Harry and Meghan’s children change schools amid security concerns
LONDON — The children of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have changed school just days into the new academic year, with the couple citing security concerns, reports BritPanorama.
Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, were enrolled in an undisclosed school when their parents moved back to Britain from California last month.
However, just days after their initial enrollment, a decision was made to switch to another institution.
“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,” a spokesman for Harry and Meghan said in a statement.
He added, “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.”
HELLO! Magazine first reported the story. NBC News royal contributor Emily Nash cited specific concerns the couple appeared to have regarding the school’s location.
The school “was at a fair distance from the place where they’re staying in the U.K. and they weren’t able to properly protect themselves in heavy traffic,” said Nash, who is also Royal Editor for HELLO! Magazine, in an interview.
“On the first day of term they realized it was going to be quite a challenging journey for them and they risked sitting in traffic where they were potentially exposed to greater threats,” Nash stated.
The news comes as the couple awaits a verdict on their request for publicly-funded security protection.
A government committee was due to review whether to provide security for the couple now that their living arrangements in the U.K. are more permanent.
The location of their new home remains undisclosed, amid ongoing uncertainty regarding what arrangements will be in place given the protracted legal battle between Harry and the British government over the issue.
The family moved back to the United Kingdom for an “extended period” after six years living in Montecito, California. Their decision to “step back” from frontline royal duties and leave the U.K. in 2020 sent shockwaves around the world.
Since then, royal relations have been publicly strained, with allegations of racism and bullying made by the couple in their Netflix documentary “Harry & Meghan” and in Harry’s memoir, “Spare.”
There were new signs of strain last week when the couple indicated they had been left “surprised” by a letter on behalf of King Charles III that reiterated they would remain private individuals and nonworking members of the royal family during their renewed stint in the U.K.
Earlier this week, Meghan shared online a series of family photos of their new life in England, showcasing her children fishing on a boat, bike riding, and taking woodland walks with their pet dog.
On Tuesday morning, she paid tribute to her husband on his 42nd birthday, saying that he was “simply the best.”
