Britain15 September, 20263 min read
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Move Archie and Lilibet to New UK School Over Security Concerns
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Archie and Lilibet moved to a UK school days after starting due to security concerns. Decision followed discussion with the family's security team about transport practicalities.
27 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Andy Burnham Rules Out Partnership With Green Party Over Zionism Is Racism Motion →
School swap over security
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to a new school in the United Kingdom just days after the children started classes, after their security team raised concerns about the practicalities of the school run. A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said, “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,” and added that the parents were “extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family.”
The move followed reports that heavy traffic and the distance between the school and where the family is staying put pressure on their security team, with the children having started school last week after the family’s move back to the U.K. last month after six years in California. Sky News said the location of the family’s new home and details of the children’s school have been kept private, while Meghan shared a glimpse of the family’s life in the UK over the weekend in an Instagram video showing Harry, Meghan and their two children enjoying a countryside walk, jumping in puddles, cycling and fishing.
Ravec reviews threat
The school change comes as the Sussexes’ security arrangements remain under review by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), with ABC7 Chicago saying the independent body tasked with deciding who gets royal and VIP security in the U.K. plans to review the security status for both Harry and Meghan “as soon as possible.” ABC7 Chicago also noted that RAVEC ruled in 2020 that security for the Sussexes would be granted on a case-by-case basis, and that Harry lost an appeal last year challenging the British government’s decision in 2020 to reduce his publicly funded security.
Sky News said the Duke’s security is currently being reviewed by a government committee, with the Risk Management Board conducting a threat assessment and Ravec expected to decide whether the Sussexes should be entitled to taxpayer-funded security now that they live in the U.K. In parallel, Sky News reported that Meghan’s security is getting its first government-backed review since the couple left the UK, while the children’s school details and the family’s home location were kept private.
What happens next
With Archie and Lilibet having started at a UK school last week and then being moved again after two days, the next step described across the coverage is an official risk assessment for the Sussexes tied to their day-to-day routines, including the school run. The Telegraph reported that the committee is expected to meet again to discuss findings when the review is completed, and that the assessment will include daily journeys such as the school run, the specific addresses involved, timings and various routes taken, as well as other regular movements made by all members of the family.
The Telegraph also said the school the couple had chosen was at least a 30-minute drive from the property at which they have been staying but doubled with school traffic, and that one incident made it difficult for the couple’s private security team to stay in convoy. In the immediate background to the school swap, ABC7 Chicago said the Sussexes are remaining as “private citizens” and are not working royals, and that as non-working royals they do not receive the same automatic taxpayer-funded armed police protection as Harry’s royal family members, including King Charles III and Prince William.