Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s return with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, has been far from smooth. From a chaotic commute forcing them to switch schools to Meghan’s phone number reportedly being leaked, it appears it’s been an eventful start to the new term for the Sussexes. Just two days after Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, began attending their prep school, the Sussexes pulled them out.
A spokesperson for the couple said there was no issue with the school itself, but rather with the practicalities of the “current arrangements.” As reported by HELLO!, heavy traffic in the family’s new area, as well as the distance between the school and where they live, are thought to have contributed, putting their small, private security team under strain. One incident is also said to have made it difficult for their vehicles to maintain a convoy, further raising concerns. The two children have therefore switched to a different school.
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It has been an eventful start to the new term for the family (Image: Getty)
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess 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.”
Meghan’s phone number was also reportedly leaked before her children started at their original UK school. She is said to have joined a parents’ WhatsApp group the evening before Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were due to begin their first day there.
The Duchess of Sussex’s mobile number was allegedly leaked when a screenshot of the WhatsApp group conversation was shared outside the Year 3 chat. In a screenshot shared by The Sun, a mum can be seen appearantly welcoming the Duchess of Sussex.
She said: “Welcome to Meghan who has Archie joining tomo.” Another mum said: “Welcome!” The Duchess of Sussex allegedly replied: “Hi moms! Thanks for the warm welcome [heart emoji] So happy to be a part of this community xx”
According to The Sun, Meghan had joined the group chat just before her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, had their first day at school in the UK.
It reported that the screenshot of the group chat has been shared multiple times.
The Reform UK leader hit out at the Archbishop of Canterbury over the furore.
Nigel Farage erupted at the Archbishop of Canterbury in a row over her giving an award to a Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin Laden. Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received the honour for reconciliation and interfaith cooperation last week on the anniversary of 9/11.
But Dame Sarah Mullally was forced to withdraw the award following a backlash after it emerged he praised the mastermind of the terror attacks in comments made in 2007. Speaking on his GB News show, the Reform UK leader said: “Every time we get a new Archbishop I think it must get better, it doesn’t, it gets worse.”
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Mr Farage added: “Why oh why is the Archbishop of Canterbury giving an award to a man who praised Osama bin Laden just a few years after the Twin Towers?”
Mr Ashrafi, the chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council which is a group of Islamic scholars, received the award “for his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan”.
But the honour sparked a backlash after past comments emerged that he made about Bin Laden.
Speaking after The Satanic Versus author Sir Salman Rushdie was knighted in 2007, Mr Ashrafi said: “We are pleased to award the title of Saifullah [sword of God] to Osama bin Laden after the British government’s decision to bestow the title of ‘Sir’ on blasphemer Rushdie. This is the highest title for a Muslim warrior.
“If a blasphemer can be given the title ‘Sir’ by the West despite the fact he’s hurt the feelings of Muslims, then a mujahid who has been fighting for Islam against the Russians, Americans and British must be given the lofty title of Islam, Saifullah.”
Lambeth Palace said in a statement yesterday that the award had been withdrawn.
It said: “The award was given for Imam Ashrafi’s longstanding support for religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Christian community – support that is valued by many Christians in Pakistan including its Anglican Church.
“It is a longstanding principle of interfaith dialogue and co-operation that we must engage with one another across deeply-held differences, and that remains the case.
“However, previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn. We have contacted Imam Ashrafi to make him aware of this decision.”
A spokesman for Mr Ashrafi and his council said his remarks had been taken “out of context”.
He said: “Our position against terrorism, extremism, suicide attacks and the killing of innocent people is clear and unequivocal. We have consistently worked for peace, moderation and interfaith harmony.”