Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have criticized photographers seen outside their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s school in England, describing their actions as “extraordinarily reckless”.
“There is a world of difference between legitimate media activity and photographers walking around a school, pausing to look at the grounds and watching children go about their day,” a spokesperson for Sussex told Page Six on Wednesday.
The spokesman said it was “concerning” that European paparazzi members “seemed reluctant to respect children’s privacy at school”.
“But to act in this way, under these particular circumstances and so soon after the incident at RAF Fairford, shows an extraordinary lack of judgement,” the spokesman continued.
“Regardless of the photo they were seeking, this was not only an unacceptable intrusion into children’s privacy, but also an irresponsible and ill-considered course of conduct near a school,” the statement said.
Page Six can confirm that the two young men were spotted by private security and school staff while walking around the perimeter of Archie and Lilibet’s school.
The men, both carrying backpacks, were initially seen separately before returning to a white van, which police identified as a rental vehicle.
Archie and Lilibet’s school is also attended by many American children whose families are attached to a US military base at a nearby RAF base.
After the Sussex couple returned to England in August, they enrolled their children in a fancy prep school worth $35,000 a year.
However, the couple withdrew 7-year-old Archie and 5-year-old Lilibet from school two days later due to security risks.
According to Hello!, heavy traffic to and from school puts a strain on the small security team. magazine
“The decision to move the children to the school was made following a discussion with the family’s security team regarding the feasibility of existing arrangements,” a representative for the couple told the press earlier this month.
The insider also told media that Harry, 42, and Markle, 45, completed security checks at the school ahead of term but were unable to test its operations.
“It’s a real shame because they absolutely adored the school, the kids and their parents,” the source said.
Harry and Markle dealt with further security issues when it was reported that the former “Suits” star’s personal phone number was leaked after she joined a WhatsApp group for the school’s parents.
Following the interaction between Markle and the two mothers in the group chat, a screenshot of the conversation, including Markle’s phone number, was recorded by someone in the group. It was shared many times after the leak.
Last week, Harry confirmed in an interview with CTV that his children are “happy at school.”
“It was great to be back on British soil,” the “Reserve” author added.
The Sussexes are still fighting to get taxpayer-funded security despite not working for the royal family.
Earlier this month, the couple, who resigned from their royal duties in 2020, were subject to a security review due to return to the UK and were asked to provide details of their daily routine, including school runs.
As King Charles III made clear, Markle and Harry live in the United Kingdom as “private citizens with business and charitable interests.”