Prince Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson responds to ‘reckless’ and ‘unacceptable’ privacy breach involving Archie and Lilibet
International paparazzi who were seen looking into the grounds of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s school have been branded 'extraordinarily reckless' and accused of an 'unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children,' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's spokesperson has said.
It comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved from California to the UK at the end of last month with their two kids and enrolled them in British schools.
The news emerged earlier on Wednesday (30 September) that police are investigating two men who were seen surveilling the school, as reported by ITV News.
The publication reports that it's understood the individuals could be international paparazzi photographers.
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They had reportedly been seen carrying backpacks, and the incident has heightened Harry and Meghan’s concerns for the safety of Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five.
A spokesman for the royal couple said: “The decision by photographers to conduct themselves in this way around a school is extraordinarily reckless.
“There is a world of difference between legitimate media activity and photographers walking the perimeter of a school, stopping to look into the grounds and monitoring children as they go about their day."
It continued: “It is concerning enough that certain European paparazzi appear unwilling to respect the privacy of children at school.
“But to behave in this manner in these particular circumstances, and so soon after the incident at RAF Fairford, demonstrates an extraordinary lack of judgment.
“Whatever photographs they may have been seeking, this was not only an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children; it was an irresponsible and ill-considered way to conduct themselves in the vicinity of a school.”
The two young men are understood to have been seen by both private security and school staff walking the perimeter of Archie and Lilibet’s school, stopping at various points and looking into the grounds.
They were initially seen separately and were subsequently observed together before returning to a white van, which police later established was a rental vehicle, with officers later determining they were international photographers.
It's unfortunately not the first issue that Harry and Meg have run into since enrolling their kids at school in the UK, as just days into Archie and Lilibet's first term, the duo had to make the decision to withdraw them from their initial choice of school following conversations with their security team.
HELLO! Magazine reported that the problem wasn't the school itself but with the practicalities of getting them there and back, with heavy traffic in the area and the distance between the school and where they are living reported to be contributing factors.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess told the publication: “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."
Topics: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Royal Family, UK News, Parenting
Madison Burgess