Watch: How Prince Harry Helps His Kids Navigate “Monday Blues” as They Start School in the U.K.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have no tolerance for paparazzi in a school zone.
Shortly after two photographers were seen by staff and private security at the U.K. school attended by Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, the royal couple’s rep addressed the breach.
“The decision by the photographers to conduct themselves in this way around a school is extraordinarily reckless,” Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson said in a statement to E! News Sept. 30. “There is a world of difference between legitimate media activity and photographers walking around the perimeter of a school, stopping to look into the grounds and monitoring children as they go about their day.”
Indeed, the rep emphasized that it is “concerning enough” for the family to adjust to standards held by European paparazzi—due to differing privacy laws between the U.S. and U.K.—further noting they are “unwilling to respect” Archie and Lilibet’s privacy during their school day.
“To behave in this manner in these particular circumstances, and so soon after the incident at RAF Fairford, demonstrates an extraordinary lack of judgment,” the rep continued, pointing to a foiled terrorist plot at a U.K. military base just days earlier. “Whatever photographs they may have been seeking, this was not only an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of all children; it was also an irresponsible and ill-considered way to conduct themselves in the vicinity of a school.”
The paparazzi were seen by school staff wandering the perimeter of the school—first separately, then together—before leaving in an unmarked white van that authorities later confirmed was a rental, E! News has learned.
The incident at Archie and Lilibet’s school comes as the family continues to adjust to life in the U.K., following their move from California earlier this year. However, Harry has assured that his and Meghan’s kids are taking the transition well.
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As the 42-year-old told CTV Sept. 25, “The kids are happy in school.”
And while the family only just relocated to the U.K. in August after stepping back as senior royals in 2020, the Spare author has already felt the family made the right decision.
“It’s great,” he explained in an interview with Hello magazine earlier this month. “It’s wonderful to be back on British soil and really nice to see so many old faces and friends that came to this, and new faces as well, and new donors.”
For a deeper look into Harry and Meghan’s family, keep reading…
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