Experts express confusion over Harry and Meghan's decision to pull kids from new school after 48 hours

Security experts have weighed in to express their confusion over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pulling their two children out of their new school after just two days, raising questions over their security team.

It's been pondered why bodyguards for the couple – who have relocated to the UK from California where they have lived since 2020 – only tested the route to their children’s school at the last minute.

According to the Daily Mail, the couple's move to Britain was ‘rushed’, with the Sussexes pulling Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet from their new school after just two days. It is understood the decision was reached after security staff grew concerned about delays caused by the heavy school run.

It emerged that while being transported to their school, the children were ‘sitting ducks’ while separated from their convoy in stationary traffic.

The hour-long journey to the anonymous school appears not to have been fully scrutinised by the security team in the run up to the new term.

LADbible understands the distance and traffic put a ‘strain’ on the security team, and in one worrying incident, the Sussexes’ vehicles were unable to stay together.

The children were 'sitting ducks' after they were separated from Harry and Meghan's convoy (Getty stock image)

What do experts think?

Ex-Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Dal Babu said to the Daily Mail: “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.

“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.”

And Dover and Deal Labour MP Mike Tapp said, per the Mail: “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.”

Harry is at odds with the Home Office over his access to VIP security (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

How did parents respond?

Parents of the school in question were left confused as to how the Sussex’s security team could have made such a basic error.

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.”

As another said: “This was obviously going to happen.”

Sources close to Harry and Meghan were at pains to emphasise the decision to pull out Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, from the prep-school after just 48 hours was made ‘reluctantly’ – and had nothing to do with the school itself.

The decision came on the same day it emerged Harry’s disputed state-sponsored police security was being placed under review.

The children are due to start a new school much closer to home, reports HELLO!, which first reported the story.

Archie and Lilibet were shown enjoying their new British life in Meghan's Instagram feed (IG)

What did Harry and Meghan say?

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.”

LADbible reached out to the Sussexes for comment.