The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hit out at international paparazzi seen peering into the grounds of their children’s school, branding their actions as “extraordinarily reckless”.
Two young men carrying backpacks, understood to be photographers from a European press agency, were spotted by both private security and school staff walking the perimeter of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s school, stopping at various points and looking into the grounds.
They were initially seen separately and were then seen together before returning to a white van, which police later established was a rental vehicle, with officers later determining they were international photographers.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson condemned their actions, saying the men were responsible for an “unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children”.
The couple relocated to the UK at the end of August and have enrolled their seven-year-old son and five-year-old daughter at British schools.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 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 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 family's return to the UK after six years in the US has been accompanied by public disagreement with Buckingham Palace over their official status, alongside logistical adjustments to their children's education.
After just two days at their first school, the children were transferred to an undisclosed new school due to security concerns, with reports that heavy traffic and an extended commute had put their security team under strain.
While the King was said to be pleased to spend time with the family prior to their arrival in August, he reportedly maintained that a half-in, half-out arrangement was off the table, firmly ruling out a return to official royal duties.
Within two weeks of their arrival, tensions resurfaced after a letter issued by the Lord Chamberlain to government and military officials, reinforced that the couple are “private citizens” and outlined conduct guidelines.
In their own statement, the Sussexes said they were “surprised” by the memo, and reportedly prefer to be recognised as “public figures” instead.
Earlier this month, Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer described press coverage of the couple as a “cancerous influence in their life” and said it had “echoes” of what happened to his sister Diana, the Princess of Wales.
Speaking to BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg at his Althorp estate, Earl Spencer was asked if he believed Diana would “identify” with the scrutiny the Duke and Duchess of Sussex face.
"If you look at an article in a tabloid about Diana or the couple that you were mentioning, Harry and Meghan, you know, they can be really, really unpleasant," he replied.
"And I think it would be really beholden on people to learn from Diana's example.
"I'm not here to speak for Harry and Meghan, but for anyone who's being destroyed in this way daily, it must be such a cancerous influence in their life."
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