Harry and Meghan accuse European paparazzi of 'unacceptable intrusion' into their children's privacy after photographers were seen looking into Archie and Lilibet's school

Prince Harry and Meghan today condemned 'extraordinarily reckless' international paparazzi who were seen looking into the grounds of their children's school.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's spokesman accused two photographers of an 'unacceptable intrusion into the privacy' of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.The young men, who wore backpacks and used a white van, were spotted by private security and school staff walking around the perimeter and monitoring children.A spokesman for Harry and Meghan said their actions displayed 'an extraordinary lack of judgment' in the wake of the suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford on Sunday.A number of American children with families connected to the Gloucestershire air base, which is used by the US Air Force, are believed to attend the unidentified school.The spokesman for the Sussexes 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. Harry and Meghan with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in December 2025Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at a David Foster Foundation event in Canada on August 7'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 two men were initially seen separately and subsequently observed together before returning to a white van, which police later established was a rental vehicle.Officers also then determined that they were international photographers working for a European press agency, which has not been named.An insider told ITV News that the two men were seen 'scouting out' the children's school and 'doing reconnaissance' on it 'for a number of hours' before driving off.The incident has been reported to the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which is responsible for making decisions about royal security.Harry and Meghan are waiting to hear the conclusion of Ravec's Risk Management Board's threat assessment, which will determine whether the Sussex family should be entitled to taxpayer-funded security now they live in the UK.The incident is understood to have taken place just 48 hours after five men were arrested near RAF Fairford, with a farmer discovering three vans blocking a road in the early hours of Sunday.The base has been used in recent months by US bombers to launch air strikes against Iran. Police officers guard an area near the RAF Fairford air base in Gloucestershire yesterdayArchie and Lilibet's education has already been an issue for the Sussexes, with the children moved to the new undisclosed school after just two days in class at a different institution.The decision came after heavy traffic and the lengthy journey to the first school reportedly put their security team under strain.The youngsters are believed to have been at their new school for around two weeks. Harry said over the weekend that Archie and Lilibet are 'happy in school' and it is 'great' to be back in Britain – after returning a month ago following six years living in the US.Of his return, the Prince added: 'It's been great. It's been great to be back on British soil.'The Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020 for personal and financial reasons, but rumours remain rife as to why they unexpectedly relocated to the UK from California.Speculation ranges from the couple wanting their children to develop a closer relationship with their grandfather the King, Meghan seeking a return to acting and the Sussexes wanting to increase their profile.In the run-up to their return, Charles was said to be glad to be able to spend more time with the family but remained adamant they would not be working royals, and there was no half-in, half-out option.Within two weeks of arriving, there was reported pushback from Harry and Meghan after a letter, authorised by the King, was circulated by the Lord Chamberlain to senior stakeholders in the Government and military reiterating the couple were 'private citizens' and setting out guidance on how they should be treated.The duke and duchess were said to be 'surprised' by the formal letter and the couple were reported to prefer the term 'public figures' instead.