Meghan Markle has faced criticism after expressing concerns for her children's safety while frequently sharing pictures of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet on social media. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the UK with their children at the end of August and have since encountered security issues after two men were spotted outside Archie and Lilibet's new school.
The men, identified as international paparazzi, were described by Meghan and Harry as "extraordinarily reckless" and accused of an "unacceptable intrusion" into their privacy. They were seen carrying backpacks and were observed by private security and school staff walking the school's perimeter earlier this week, stopping at various points and looking into the grounds.
Royal experts weigh in
Speaking on the latest episode of Royals Uncensored, royal correspondent Katie Nicholl said she is "not condoning" the paparazzi's actions but noted that no pictures of the children have been seen apart from those posted by Meghan.
Royal expert Mark Dolan responded that he would "take no lectures" from Meghan regarding child safety. He said: "I don't see the obscured faces as an excuse for Meghan's decision to incorporate Archie and Lili into the Sussex brand. We have so much information about these children, and I don't think the emoji on the face is sufficient protection of their privacy."
Dolan added: "First of all, for some bad actors, it may create more curiosity to find out what the children actually look like, and I'll just take no lectures from Meghan in particular in regard to the safety of her children."
Official statement
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan 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..."
The couple are thought to be living in the Cotswolds, with no further details of their current living arrangements known.
