From Dailymail · · 3m
Sarah Vine says Sussex move is already fraying
A sharp column argues Harry and Meghan’s school switch shows the cost of impulse decisions, especially for Archie and Lilibet.
In brief
A sharp column argues Harry and Meghan’s school switch shows the cost of impulse decisions, especially for Archie and Lilibet. The column’s core charge is that Harry and Meghan’s sudden choices create the most strain for their children, not just the adults around them. Originally reported by Dailymail.
A pattern of quitting
Sarah Vine frames Harry and Meghan as serial quitters, from leaving royal life to dropping projects in the US and now shifting course again in Britain.
“Was there ever such a pair of quitters as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex?”
Back, but unsettled
The column says their new life in Britain is already fraying only weeks after arrival, with decisions that look rushed rather than planned.
“already, just a few weeks into their new life, things are starting to unravel”
Two days at school
Archie and Lilibet were reportedly pulled from their new prep school after just two days, before they could settle into routines or classmates.
“They’ve pulled the children, Archie and Lilibet, out of their new prep school after just two days.”
Security is cited
The stated issue was school-run security. Vine argues the problem looks more like poor planning and a familiar habit of acting first.
“Security concerns around the school run, apparently.”
Ravec hangs over it
The column links the school move to Ravec, the body reviewing the Sussexes’ security status, where children’s safety could carry weight.
“Ravec (the body that oversees VIP and royal security)”
Work is wasted
Vine says parents, staff and children at the first school would have prepared for the Sussexes’ arrival, only for that effort to be repeated elsewhere.
“The whole process will now have to be repeated elsewhere.”
Children bear it
The sharpest criticism is about Archie and Lilibet, who have moved from California to the Cotswolds and then had school plans changed almost at once.
“their poor little heads must be spinning”
California to winter
Vine casts the move as a jolt from sunny California to rural England just before winter, with school stress layered on top.
“dumped in the middle of the Cotswolds just in time for the English winter”
Family ties strained
The column argues Harry and Meghan’s choices have already kept their children from close ties with cousins and British relatives.
“excluded them from getting to know their cousins”
Parents should steady
Vine says children look to parents for calm judgment, while Harry and Meghan appear to change direction at the first obstacle.
“Harry and Meghan are supposed to be the grown-ups”
Fear travels fast
If the children sense the move is about danger, Vine says it could leave them frightened and confused rather than reassured.
“They will likely be feeling very scared and confused”
Instagram undercuts privacy
Vine questions why a couple worried about safety would post glimpses of family life in the countryside, inviting attention to their whereabouts.
“why would they post pictures of family life in their new countryside idyll?”
Hints at location
The column says the press has not named the home or school, but the Sussexes’ own posts may give clues to people with local knowledge.
“they themselves have strongly hinted at their location”
New York comparison
Vine recalls the 2023 New York incident, saying a claimed near-disaster looked less grave after closer inspection.
“near-catastrophic car chase”
The school was known
She describes the unnamed school as respected and capable with high-profile families, but also famous for brutal local traffic.
“The local traffic, which is famously murderous.”
Ask the locals
Vine asks why the couple did not check the practical school-run issues with remaining friends in Britain before uprooting the family.
“didn’t the Sussexes check the practicalities of their decision”
Beatrice could help
The column points to Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who know the Cotswolds area and could have warned them about pitfalls.
“They would have been more than able to tell them the lie of the land”
A rough landing
Vine ends by suggesting Harry may be used to royal ease, but ordinary traffic and planning problems now come with the new life he chose.
“welcome to the real world, Sir”
The headline
The column’s core charge is that Harry and Meghan’s sudden choices create the most strain for their children, not just the adults around them.
