Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have moved their children to a different school in Britain just two days after the new term began, following concerns raised by the family’s security team.
Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, had started at a British school following the Sussex family’s return to the UK after six years living in California. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to withdraw them after discussions about the security implications of their daily journey.
A spokesperson for the couple confirmed the decision on Monday, saying it followed discussions with their security team about the “practicalities of their current arrangements.”
The spokesperson stressed that the move was not prompted by concerns about the school itself, adding that Harry and Meghan remained grateful to its teachers and staff for the care shown to their children.
Security concerns centred on school journey
The principal concern is understood to have been the distance between the family’s current residence and the school, combined with heavy traffic along the route.
Reports suggest the conditions made it difficult for the Sussexes’ private security team to maintain a secure convoy while taking Archie and Lilibet to and from school. The school itself had reportedly been vetted before the children enrolled, but the full practicalities of the school run could only be assessed once term began and normal traffic returned.
Archie and Lilibet have now been enrolled at another school, although its location has not been publicly disclosed for security and privacy reasons. The family’s current UK residence has similarly been kept private.
The development comes only weeks after Harry and Meghan relocated to Britain with their children following six years in California.
Harry and Meghan’s security under review
The school change comes amid a wider reassessment of the Sussex family’s security arrangements following their return to Britain.
Harry has repeatedly criticised the removal of the automatic police protection he received before stepping back as a working royal in 2020.
His security arrangements are now being reviewed following his return to live in the UK, while Meghan’s situation is also being reconsidered.
The Duke and Duchess remain non-working members of the Royal Family and are not currently living at a royal residence.
Meghan reportedly considering Cotswolds home
Separate reports have linked the couple with a longer-term home in the Cotswolds, although the exact location where the family is currently living has not been disclosed.
Claims that Meghan is specifically negotiating to buy a nine-bedroom property with a film studio are less firmly established than the confirmed school move. Reliable reporting confirms the family’s interest in settling outside central London, but no purchase of such a property has been officially announced.
Harry and Meghan are also expected to retain their home in Montecito, California, as they establish their new arrangements in Britain.
For now, the couple’s priority appears to be finding an arrangement that allows Archie and Lilibet to settle into school while meeting the security requirements surrounding the family.
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