The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were branded “shameless and ridiculous” after their complaints about European paparazzi being spotted at their children’s school. Earlier this week, a Sussex spokesman compared the paparazzi row to the Fairford incident, which saw anti-terror police swoop and President Donald Trump make public statements.
Paparazzi spotted near school
Two young men with backpacks and using a white van are understood to have been spotted by private security and school staff walking the perimeter of the school and monitoring children. A spokesman for Harry and Meghan called the actions “an extraordinary lack of judgment” in the wake of the suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford, with a number of American children with families connected to the base said to attend the school.
A former Met police officer has blasted the couple’s latest security drama as “nonsense.”
Former Met cop criticises complaint
Dai Davis, former head of Met Police security for the Royal Family, told The Sun: “Every week their so-called security team has to come up with new things.
“Paparazzi is not a security incident. It is just to be expected. It’s not unrealistic to expect some paparazzi who will chance their arm; the security team can deal with that easily.
“If you look at the track record such as the New York car incident they are nothing of real consequence.
“I hope Ravec aren’t swayed and common sense prevails as all the incidents amount to sweet FA.
“There’s no comparison to Fairford. It’s bordering on shameless but ridiculous as well.”
Royal author weighs in
Meanwhile, royal author Robert Jobson said: “With the way they’ve handled the stories about security, it’s going to be increasingly difficult for Ravec to not put up their security the more they do it.
“It is a calculated and cynical strategy to get their security paid for by the public.”
The Sussexes spokesperson said: “The decision by photographers to conduct themselves in this way around a school is extraordinarily reckless,” the Team Sussex spokesman said
“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.”
