Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security arrangements have come under renewed scrutiny after a paparazzi incident near the school attended by their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. International photographers were spotted lurking outside the school's gates, prompting criticism from commentators and reigniting debate over the Sussexes' protection in the UK.
Incident near children's school
The incident was discussed during the first episode of the Daily Express's new show, Royals Unscripted, where Royal Editor Emily Ferguson was joined by commentator Carole Malone. It comes just a few weeks after Harry and Meghan switched their children's school over other security concerns.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 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."
Commentator questions security detail
Carole Malone said during today's new episode that this is "Harry's worst nightmare." She added: "It makes you wonder, why did they come back here? Because they had to have known this was going to happen. They're more accessible now to the European paparazzi. It's an easyJet hop over and they're going to be pursued like this everywhere they go."
Malone questioned how photographers could get close to the school if Harry's privately funded security team was present. "Harry, I know, has talked about how he wants security, 24-hour security for his kids," she said. "And maybe this is going to be what helps him get it."
She later questioned: "Harry does have his own security detail, but if he has his own security detail, how on earth did the paparazzi get near that school? What were his security doing? Not their job clearly. Their security team should have been able to deal with that with no problems."
Ravec reconsidering publicly funded protection
The incident also reignited discussion surrounding Harry's security arrangements in the UK. The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) is understood to be reconsidering publicly funded protection for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their full-time return to the UK.
Harry has previously challenged decisions concerning his publicly funded police protection when visiting Britain. His security arrangements have been a particularly contentious issue since he and Meghan stepped back as working members of the Royal Family and moved to the United States in 2020.
Speaking on the Royal T, Paul Lewis, who has run security operations for royal and high-net-worth individuals for more than 20 years, told The Telegraph that the Sussexes' full security detail could cost up to £12 million a year.
Meghan, Harry and their two children made a surprise return to the UK at the end of last month and announced plans to live in Britain for an "extended" period. Their children are now being schooled in Britain. They arrived back in the UK on August 26 and landed at Birmingham Airport after six years in Montecito, California.
