Parents Hit Back After Harry and Meghan Pull Archie and Lilibet From School in Just Two Days

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have pulled their children out of a British school after only two days, a move that has already stirred sharp talk among other parents and former protection officers. Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, had barely settled into their first classrooms in England when the couple’s team decided the daily school run could not be kept safe.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said the change followed talks with the family’s security staff about how the current arrangement was working in practice. 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.

The family returned to Britain from California in late August after six years away, hoping Archie and Lilibet could start the new term in a local school. The name of that first school and the location of their home have been kept private. According to Sky News and other reports, the drive was long enough that a round trip could take up to an hour once term time traffic built up. Security staff had checked the site during the quieter summer weeks, but they could not fully test the real school run until classes began. One incident reportedly split the convoy and left the cars stuck in traffic like sitting ducks.

A friend of the couple told Hello! magazine it was 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.

That explanation has not softened the reaction from some parents at the first school. Daily Mail sources said families there were baffled. One person claimed you don’t need to be an expert to know how congested that area is and called it one of the worst places to drive in the UK. Another said this was obviously going to happen. Social media filled quickly with the same kind of criticism.

Former Head of Royal Protection Dai Davies questioned why two young children needed a convoy at all. Speaking to LBC News he said if you keep a low profile, most people outside the school wouldn’t know where you are or what they’re doing. 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.

Archie and Lilibet have already visited another school nearby. Reports say Harry was seen settling Lilibet into reception and that the couple have been added to parent WhatsApp groups. The new site is understood to be closer to home and easier for their small private security team to manage. The switch comes as official protection for the family is under fresh review following their return to the UK.