The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have concerns about the school run following their return to the UK, according to a family friend.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved back to Britain at the end of August and are set to begin taking Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to and from school daily. While this is a routine task for parents worldwide, there are worries that the simple daily errand could create security issues for the family.
Ongoing security review
Despite now calling the UK home, the family are still waiting for the Home Office to confirm whether they will receive taxpayer-funded police protection in the longer term. A review is believed to be underway since the family moved back to Britain, but no answers have yet been given.
The issue is likely causing stress for the couple, who have not been seen out and about with their children since relocating from Montecito, California, to an undisclosed location in the UK. The school the children will attend, and the location of the family's rented home, has been kept under wraps as a result of security concerns. It is believed to be outside of London.
Security expert warns of dangers
A friend of the Sussex family told The Telegraph: "It is absolutely the biggest area of concern. It creates the most dangers."
Scott Hamer, who worked in the Metropolitan Police's royalty and specialist protection unit for 14 years until 2022, said the school run could also provide a threat. He told The Telegraph: "The whole point of protection is to keep the diary as tight as possible, to ensure people who might want to do bad things do not have the opportunity to do so."
He added: "With the school run, you can vary the route as much as you like but the start and end point will almost always be the same. It's really, really difficult."
School safety measures
It is believed the school Archie and Lilibet will attend has been taking the safety of the new students very seriously. Reports suggest that various policies and procedures have been put in place, and teachers have been given special training.
The Home Office has been contacted for comment by The Daily Express.
