Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan made a quick change for Archie and Lilibet shortly after school started: The children switched schools after just two days. They had already met their new classmates and started as new students the previous week. According to sources close to the couple, the problem was not with the school itself but with the daily commute. Traffic in the area, the distance from their home, and the requirements of their small private security team all played a role in the decision, as People reports.

Archie and Lilibet Had Already Attended Another School

After leaving the first school, the family quickly found another option. Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, then visited another school in the area for a trial class. Prince Harry was seen taking Lilibet to her preschool class. Harry and Meghan were also added to the parents’ WhatsApp groups, as People reports.

A Family Friend Described the Farewell

A friend of the couple spoke about their decision to leave the first school: “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.”

The couple’s security team had already inspected the school grounds over the summer, but they were only able to fully assess the specific route to school on the first day.

Security Concerns Have Dogged Harry and Meghan for Years

The school change is part of a broader debate over security for the family in the United Kingdom. Meghan underwent her first government-sponsored security assessment since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, as People reported.

Harry has been fighting since September 2021 to regain his VIP police protection. He lost his legal battle in May 2025 when the Court of Appeal upheld the decision to deny him automatic security protection.

In June, he told the BBC, “I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.” In December, it was announced that his case would be reviewed again, with that process beginning in July.

Meghan also canceled previously scheduled public appearances in London in June, reportedly citing security concerns.