Duchess of Sussex's Mobile Number Leaked Among Parents at New School
Meghan Markle's contact information was reportedly shared in a WhatsApp group for parents at the school where Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet had just begun attending, fueling security concerns.
The Duchess of Sussex's mobile phone number has been shared among parents at the school where her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, recently started, according to reports. Screenshots from a WhatsApp group that Meghan had joined were allegedly circulating online, prompting disappointment from sources close to the couple.
Meghan is understood to have joined the WhatsApp group, titled 'Year 3,' the night before her children began at the school. An alleged screenshot of the chat showed the duchess introducing herself with a message that read: 'Hi moms! Thanks for the warm welcome [heart emoji]. So happy to be a part of this community xx'.
The circulation of her number comes after Prince Harry and Meghan 'reluctantly' decided to withdraw their children from the school due to security concerns related to traffic congestion during the school run. The family's bodyguards had warned that the busy commute, which could take up to an hour during rush hour, was straining their security unit. Concerns were heightened after a convoy carrying the prince and princess was reportedly separated during one journey, leaving the children vulnerable in stationary traffic.
Sources close to the Sussexes emphasized that the decision to withdraw the children was not a reflection of any issues with the school itself. Archie and Lilibet are now set to attend a different school, where they have already participated in taster sessions. The new school is said to be a shorter commute from the family's home, which is expected to ease security personnel's concerns.
However, the situation has raised questions about the timing of the security assessment, with claims that the route was not adequately tested before the children's enrollment. Critics have suggested that the family's return to the UK and subsequent school arrangements may have been rushed, preventing a thorough risk assessment of the commute.
In parallel, Prince Harry's long-standing request for taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK is reportedly under review. Harry has been in a dispute with the Home Office over the removal of his automatic right to security following his decision to step back as a senior royal in 2020. He has argued that his royal status and military service necessitate police protection when in Britain.
Following recent legal battles, Harry has been informed that a 'full review' of his security needs will be conducted. This review, carried out by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), will assess the risks to both Harry and Meghan. This development comes despite claims from some within Harry's camp that Buckingham Palace's communication about the Sussexes being 'private citizens' could have influenced the Ravec committee. Palace sources, however, stated the letter was intended to offer clarity rather than interfere with security decisions.
Currently, the Sussexes rely on private security and a police liaison officer's phone number for assistance in the UK. Harry has expressed concerns that this level of security is insufficient, particularly given that their private protection agents are not permitted to carry firearms in Britain, unlike in the United States. He has previously argued that his public profile and past military service, including details shared in his memoir 'Spare,' could increase his personal risk.