Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have withdrawn their children from a British private school after just two days, with concerns over the security risks created by the long and heavily congested journey from their new home.
Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, had only recently started classes at the unnamed school after the Sussexes returned to live in Britain.
The couple’s security team reportedly concluded that the daily commute was becoming too difficult to manage safely.
The children are now expected to attend another school in the area after completing a taster session on Monday.
Sources close to the family said the shorter journey has given their protection team greater confidence.
Convoy Split in Heavy Traffic
The security concerns reportedly intensified when the Sussexes’ vehicles became separated in heavy traffic during the school run.
The family’s protection team had been able to test the route from their new home during the summer holidays, but had not been able to properly assess what the journey would look like during term-time congestion.
The commute could reportedly take as long as an hour each way.
Sources said the combination of distance, traffic and the difficulty of keeping the vehicles together placed additional pressure on the security operation.
The family was reportedly particularly uncomfortable whenever traffic brought their vehicles to a standstill, leaving them vulnerable while unable to move quickly.
Parents Questioned the Choice of School
The decision has surprised parents at the school, particularly because Harry and Meghan had initially appeared enthusiastic about their children joining.
One parent described the Sussexes’ decision to choose the school as a major coup and said many families had been excited by their arrival.
However, the parent questioned why the traffic situation had not been anticipated, describing the surrounding area as one of the most congested places to drive in Britain.
Another parent similarly suggested that the difficulties with the school run had been predictable.
Despite the abrupt departure, friends of the Sussexes have stressed that the decision was not prompted by dissatisfaction with the school or its staff.
Sussexes Praise School Staff
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said the move followed discussions with their security team about the practicalities of their existing arrangements.
The spokesperson also made clear that the couple remained grateful to the teachers and staff who had cared for their children.
A friend quoted by HELLO! said the children had loved the school, its pupils and their parents, describing it as an otherwise perfect fit for the family.
According to the friend, Harry and Meghan had wanted to make the arrangement work but ultimately concluded that their security team could not operate the school run safely.
Harry was reportedly seen taking one of the children through the school gates, while Meghan and Harry were also said to have been added to parent WhatsApp groups.
Police Protection Review Adds to Security Concerns
The school decision coincided with renewed scrutiny of Harry’s long-running dispute with the UK Government over publicly funded police protection.
The Home Office has reportedly agreed to conduct a fresh assessment of the risks facing Harry and Meghan now that the family is living in Britain on a full-time basis.
The review is understood to involve the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, known as Ravec, which determines security arrangements for high-profile royals and public figures.
According to reports, Harry has been informed that a full review will examine the threats facing him and his family.
Harry Has Challenged Security Arrangements for Years
Harry has spent years challenging the decision to remove his automatic entitlement to taxpayer-funded police protection after he stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States.
The Duke of Sussex argued that his status as the son of the monarch, a fifth-in-line to the throne and a former British Army serviceman meant that he continued to require protection while visiting Britain.
He lost a series of legal challenges against the Home Office, including a case heard at the Royal Courts of Justice last year.
At the time, Harry said he could not envisage safely bringing his family to Britain. His circumstances have since changed substantially, with the Sussexes now relocating to the UK.
Fresh Assessment Covers Meghan Too
The latest review is expected to consider security risks to Meghan as well as Harry.
It would mark the first assessment of potential threats to Meghan since the couple stepped away from the monarchy in 2020, according to reports.
Harry underwent a separate risk assessment in July, but that review took place before authorities were aware of plans for the Sussexes to move their children to Britain.
The new circumstances, including the children attending a British school and the family living in the country full time, have therefore prompted another examination.
Sussexes Currently Rely on Limited Police Assistance
At present, Harry and Meghan are understood to have access to a police liaison contact rather than permanent publicly funded protection.
Harry has reportedly argued that simply having a number to call would not provide sufficient protection in an emergency because officers could take time to arrive.
British police protection for members of the Royal Family and other high-profile figures is assessed on a case-by-case basis and can change depending on the circumstances.
Harry has received police security at some UK engagements in recent years, although the Metropolitan Police does not publicly discuss individual protection arrangements.
Palace Dispute Raised Questions Over Review
The security debate also followed a letter from Buckingham Palace making clear that Harry and Meghan are regarded as private citizens rather than working royals.
People close to the Sussexes had questioned the timing of the letter, suggesting it could influence the Ravec process.
They had expressed a preference for being described as public figures.
Those claims were rejected, with the palace position understood to be that the letter was intended to clarify the couple’s status rather than interfere with Harry’s security case.
The reported decision to conduct a full review now appears to have eased concerns within Harry’s camp that the palace communication would prevent further consideration of his protection needs.
Private Protection Remains Part of Family Security
Harry and Meghan also employ private security at considerable cost.
Their protection arrangements differ between the United States and Britain, however, particularly because private close-protection officers in Britain cannot generally carry firearms in the same way armed police officers can.
That distinction has been central to Harry’s argument that private security cannot fully replace police protection when the family is in Britain.
The Home Office has maintained that the UK’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate, while declining to provide details that could compromise security arrangements.
