Harry and Meghan move children to new school over ‘security concerns’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have moved their children to a new school after talks with their security team, it is understood. Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Princess Lilibet had only just started the new school year in England after the family relocated from the US a little over two weeks ago. But they will now join another one, after heavy traffic and the lengthy journey to the school reportedly put the Sussexes’ security team under strain, Hello! magazine reported. Why have the Sussexes made this decision? The decision comes amid reports that both the Sussexes will receive an official risk assessment following their return. A family spokesman told the magazine: “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.” Why did they quit royal duties? In January 2020, Harry and Meghan had announced they intended to step back as “senior” members of the royal family, become financially independent, still support Queen Elizabeth II, but split their time between the UK and North America. But the late Queen ruled at the Sandringham Summit, which was convened to resolve the Megxit crisis, that the couple could not be half in and half out – and the King recently said the agreement still stands. Just over a fortnight ago, they moved back to the UK, with Meghan rumoured to be returning to acting again. Why is the couple’s security being reviewed? The school move comes after a reported meeting last week of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which is responsible for making decisions about royal security. Harry, who turns 42 on Tuesday, is waiting to hear the conclusion of the Risk Management Board’s threat assessment and Ravec is expected to decide at the meeting as to whether the Sussex family should be entitled to taxpayer-funded security now they live in the UK. The Telegraph reported that the committee chairman wrote to the duke last week confirming that in light of their changed circumstances, it had commissioned a new risk assessment for him and a separate one for Meghan. What has Meghan done since returning to the UK? On Sunday, Meghan shared a video montage showing family outings back in the UK. The footage posted on Instagram features her with the Duke of Sussex, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet on outdoor adventures to the tune of Wham!’s Wake Me Up Before You Go Go. A Union Jack flag and red heart emoji sit at the top of the video. Meghan and Harry are seen walking hand in hand in the first shot, with the Duchess turning around to whoever is holding the camera and saying: “Come on, you, come on.” The footage also shows one of the children sitting by a roaring fireplace, Lili wearing wellies while riding a bicycle with training wheels with a doll on the back and Archie running past his sister in his wellies.