Police are investigating two international paparazzi photographers who were spotted lurking outside the gates of the school attended by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's two children. A spokesperson for the couple has condemned the move as "extraordinarily reckless" and "concerning" that photographers appear unwilling to respect the privacy of children at school.
Photographers spotted by security and staff
The two young men were seen by both private security and school staff carrying backpacks as they stopped at various points and peered into the grounds. They were initially seen separately and were subsequently observed together before returning to a white van, which police later established was a rental vehicle.
Investigators later identified the driver's licence used to hire the van as an international press photographer. Both men have since been identified as two snappers working for a known European press agency.
Children recently moved schools over security concerns
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's two children have only been enrolled at the school for two weeks, having been pulled from their previous school over security concerns. The Sussex's security team had raised concerns about the safety of the school run so they were moved to a different school after just two days.
A spokesman 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.
"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."
