Harry and Meghan condemn 'extraordinarily reckless' paparazzi who prowled around Archie and Lilibet's school

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026 · last updated 1 October 2026.

Two European photographers were spotted by private security and school staff circling the outside of the school attended by Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, pausing repeatedly to peer into the grounds at children. Harry and Meghan's spokesperson branded the behaviour an "extraordinary lack of judgment" and an "unacceptable intrusion" into children's privacy. The men, who carried backpacks, were later seen meeting before leaving in a hired white van, and were subsequently traced to a European press agency.

The incident raises acute security concerns given that the school's pupil roll includes children from families based at a nearby American military installation.

The Sussex spokesperson warned it was "irresponsible and ill-considered" to conduct surveillance in the vicinity of a school, whatever photographs the pair were seeking.

The incident comes shortly after a separate security scare near RAF Fairford, deepening Harry and Meghan's longstanding concerns over their family's safety.