Two men were spotted circling the perimeter of the school attended by Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, triggering a Prince Harry Meghan school intrusion complaint from Harry and Meghan. Police later identified one of the men as an international press photographer.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
A spokesman for Prince Harry and Meghan called the episode “an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children” and said photographers showed “extraordinary recklessness.” The spokesman added: “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.”
He also said: “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.”
Harry and Meghan
The incident lands after the children began school in the UK at the start of September and then changed school after a few days when security concerns were raised about traffic during the school run. Harry and Meghan and their children returned to the UK last month after living in California for six years.
Earlier this month, it emerged that the Sussexes are going to be given a review of their publicly funded security following their move back. The latest incident folds into that wider security picture because it involved the school run, the school perimeter and a photographer later identified by police.
UK security review
In August, it was reported that the Sussexes would be moving back to the UK, and they are thought to be basing themselves at a private property in the Cotswolds area. The open question is whether the school incident leads to any further action around the children’s routine or around public access near the school grounds.
