Security Concerns Prompt Sussexes to Withdraw Children from UK School After Two Days
Security experts have expressed incredulity over how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s school arrangements for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet collapsed into what they describe as a significant farce. The couple, who relocated to the UK from California where they have resided since 2020, pulled their children from a new preparatory school after just 48 hours. According to the Daily Mail, the move to Britain was rushed
, and the decision followed security staff concerns about delays caused by heavy school-run traffic.
Children Left as Sitting Ducks
in Stationary Traffic
It emerged that during transport to the anonymous school, the children were sitting ducks
after being separated from their convoy in stationary traffic. The hour-long journey appears not to have been fully scrutinised by the security team before the new term. LADbible understands the distance and traffic placed a strain
on the security detail, and in one worrying incident the Sussexes’ vehicles were unable to stay together.
Expert Criticism of Security Planning
Former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Dal Babu reportedly said, It does beggar belief why they haven’t thought this through. I don’t think he [Harry] has helped himself or the situation by not arranging things in good time.
In an interview with LBC radio, Dai Davies, former head of royal protection, said, If you keep a low profile, most people outside the school wouldn’t know where you are, what they’re doing, and all the rest of it.
He added, Do they really need to go in convoy with two little children on the school run? If they only just kept a little quieter, kept a lower profile, they’d be a lot safer in my view.
MP Calls for Review of Protection Process
Dover and Deal Labour MP Mike Tapp reportedly said, Nearly three weeks after their arrival, the King’s son, Meghan, and their children remain without protection. Whatever the eventual outcome, there are serious questions about how this process has been handled. In the cold light of day, there should be a proper review to ensure decisions of this importance are made swiftly, independently and on the basis of risk.
Parents React to Security Lapse
Parents at the school were left confused by the security team’s apparent oversight. One mother said, Parents at the school are completely baffled. You don’t need to be an expert to know how congested that area is. It’s one of the worst places to drive in the UK.
Another said: This was obviously going to happen.
Sources close to Harry and Meghan emphasised the decision to withdraw Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, was made reluctantly
and had nothing to do with the school itself. The move came on the same day it emerged that Harry’s disputed state-sponsored police security was being placed under review. The Duke celebrated his 42nd birthday on Tuesday.
Sussexes’ Statement on School Move
A spokesman for the couple 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. 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.
A friend of the Sussexes was reported to have said: It’s a real shame, because they absolutely adored the school, the kids and their parents. It was perfect for them in every way and the children really enjoyed their time there. They really wanted to make it work, but they had to make a difficult decision based on the fact that the team couldn’t make the school run operationally secure.
Children to Attend New School Closer to Home
The children are due to start a new school much closer to home, HELLO! reports, which first broke the story. Parents at the original school were reportedly disappointed, particularly after the couple joined parent WhatsApp groups and Harry was spotted at the school gates. LADbible reached out to the Sussexes for comment.
