A spokesperson for Prince Harry has criticised what he described as “extraordinarily reckless” behaviour by two photographers seen outside the school attended by Harry’s children in the United Kingdom. The spokesperson said there was a clear distinction between legitimate media activity and photographers walking around the perimeter of a school, looking into the grounds and monitoring children. The incident reportedly took place earlier this week.
According to reports, two young men carrying backpacks and travelling in a white van were spotted by private security and school staff near the school. The men were initially seen separately before being observed together and later returning to the vehicle. Police reportedly established that the van had been rented and that the two men were international photographers working for a European press agency.
Harry’s children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, are attending school in the UK after the family returned to Britain following several years in the United States. Harry and his wife, Meghan, are reportedly living in the Cotswolds in central England. The family moved back to the UK last month, according to the report.
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The spokesperson said it was concerning that some European paparazzi photographers appeared unwilling to respect the privacy of children at school. He also criticised the photographers’ conduct given the circumstances surrounding the incident, saying that whatever photographs they were seeking, their presence around the school amounted to an intrusion into the children’s privacy.
The incident comes shortly after police in southwestern Gloucestershire declared a major incident following the arrest of five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism-related offences near RAF Fairford. The military base is used by the United States Air Force. Harry’s spokesperson referred to the recent security incident while criticising what he described as the photographers’ lack of judgment in the vicinity of the school.
The British press has so far respected Harry’s request for privacy concerning his children, according to the report. The latest incident has renewed concerns raised by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex over media attention surrounding their family. The spokesperson said photographers operating near schools should take particular care to avoid monitoring or photographing children and described the reported conduct as irresponsible and inappropriate.
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