Prince Harry and Meghan Move Children to New School in UK Over Security Concerns

LONDON — Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have moved their two children to a new school in the United Kingdom over security concerns, a spokesperson confirmed. The decision came just weeks after the family relocated from California to England and only days after Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, had started the academic year at their original school.

The move was made following discussions with the family’s private security team regarding the practicalities of the daily school run, according to a statement provided to multiple news outlets.

‘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 spokesperson said.

The family returned to the UK in late August after six years of living in Montecito, California. They are now residing at a private, non-royal residence outside of London, reportedly in the Cotswolds region .

British media reports indicated that the distance between the family’s home and the original school, combined with heavy traffic on the route, raised concerns for the security team . The commute reportedly took up to an hour each way during term time, and the security detail—which traveled in convoy with the children—found it difficult to maintain secure arrangements when vehicles became separated in congested traffic .

A source close to the couple described the situation as placing the security unit under strain. The couple reportedly withdrew the children after just two days at the school on the advice of their protection team .

The spokesperson emphasized that the decision was not a reflection on the school itself.

‘The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family,’ the spokesperson said. ‘This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.’

Security Review Underway

The school change comes as the Sussexes await a new risk assessment from the government committee that oversees the protection of royalty and public figures. The Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec, met last week to discuss the couple’s security arrangements now that they are full-time UK residents rather than occasional visitors .

Ravec includes representatives from the Home Office, the police, and the Royal Household. A Risk Management Board will now assess the specific threats facing the family and determine what level of police protection they may require .

This will be the first security review for Meghan since she and Harry ceased being working royals and moved to the United States in 2020. Prince Harry had a review of his potential risks earlier in the summer, before his return to the UK was finalized .

The review will evaluate risks related to the family’s regular travel routes, including school runs. Ravec has reportedly asked the couple to share details of their daily routine so it can assess the level of threat they face .

Harry has fought a long-running legal battle with the British government over his publicly funded police protection, which was canceled when the couple stepped back from royal duties. He lost a legal challenge on the issue last year .

He had previously said he could not ‘see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K.’ without a security guarantee .

The family is currently using private security guards while the government review is pending .

Non-Working Royal Status Confirmed

The couple’s return to the UK came as a surprise, with even King Charles III reportedly learning about the move only days before it became public .

A letter authorized by the King and sent to senior British officials last week confirmed that Harry and Meghan remain non-working royals and will not use the titles of ‘His and Her Royal Highness.’ The message stated that the terms of the 2020 Sandringham Agreement, which ruled out any ‘half-in and half-out’ status for the couple, remain in place .

A spokesperson for the Sussexes said the letter came as a surprise to them .

The couple stepped back from royal duties in early 2020 and relocated to California, later signing lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify. Relations with the royal family have been strained since then, though Harry has recently expressed an interest in reconciliation so he could spend more time with his father .

The family will keep their California home, and Meghan’s media work and online business can be conducted from a UK base as well .

The location of the children’s new school has not been disclosed. Schools in the UK began their fall semesters the week of September 7 .