The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have condemned what they described as an ‘unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children’ after two men were spotted looking into the grounds of the school attended by Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The men, both carrying backpacks, were seen walking the perimeter of the school and stopping at various points to look into the grounds, according to a spokesman for Prince Harry and Meghan.
The incident took place on Monday, just over a month after the family returned to the United Kingdom from California.
Police later identified the men as international photographers working for a European press agency. The vehicle they used, a white van, was established to be a rental.
Both private security and school staff observed the men, who were initially seen separately before being spotted together.
A spokesman for the Sussexes said the photographers’ conduct demonstrated ‘an extraordinary lack of judgment,’ particularly in light of a recent security incident near RAF Fairford.
‘The decision by photographers to conduct themselves in this way around a school is extraordinarily reckless,’ the spokesman said.
‘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.’
The spokesman 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 incident occurred approximately 48 hours after five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of preparing a terrorism act. A farmer discovered three vans blocking a road in the early hours of Sunday.
A number of American children with families connected to the US Air Force base are believed to attend the same school as Archie and Lilibet.
Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, began attending their current school around two weeks ago. They had previously been enrolled at a different institution for only two days at the start of the September term before being withdrawn.
Sources close to the couple said the decision to change schools was based on security and logistical concerns, not any issue with the first school. Heavy traffic during the school run made it difficult for the family’s private security team to maintain a convoy.
A friend of the couple told HELLO!: ‘It’s a real shame, because they absolutely adored the school, the kids and their parents.’
‘It was perfect for them in every way and the children really enjoyed their time there. They really wanted to make it work, but they had to make a difficult decision based on the fact that the team couldn’t make the school run operationally secure.’
The incident has been reported to the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, known as Ravec, which oversees royal and VIP security.
Harry and Meghan are awaiting the conclusion of a Ravec Risk Management Board threat assessment. The review will determine whether the family should receive taxpayer-funded police protection now that they are full-time residents of the United Kingdom.
The couple lost their publicly funded security after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, has been engaged in a long-running legal battle with the Home Office over the level of protection provided to his family in Britain.
British media have largely honored a request from the Independent Press Standards Organisation not to identify the location or name of Archie and Lilibet’s school or the family’s new home. However, those guidelines do not apply to international outlets.
Prince Harry told CTV News in Canada over the weekend that his children are ‘happy in school’ and that it is ‘great to be back on British soil.’
He added: ‘The kids are happy in school, and it gives me a chance to be able to really focus on the Invictus Games.’
No photographs taken by the men have been published by any British media outlet.
