Harry and Meghan blame ‘extraordinarily reckless’ paparazzi for security scare at children’s school

London — 

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have condemned what they described as “extraordinarily reckless” behavior by international photographers who they say sparked a security scare at their children’s school.

Private security and school staff are understood to have spotted two young men carrying backpacks, later identified as international photographers, walking around the school and stopping to look into the grounds.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes called it “an extraordinary lack of judgment” and an “unacceptable intrusion” after the photographers were seen “walking the perimeter of the school.”

“It is concerning enough that certain European paparazzi appear unwilling to respect the privacy of children at school,” the spokesperson said. “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.”

The spokesperson continued, “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.”

CNN has reached out to police for comment.

British media outlets have taken care not to identify the location of the school or the Sussexes’ residence following a request from the Independent Press Standards Organisation, though their rules do not apply to representatives working for international media outlets.

Prince Harry has long expressed concerns over his family’s security, even before they returned to the UK in late August. Earlier this month, they moved Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, from a previous school just days into the start of the academic term due to security practicalities.

When Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020, the British government decided to downgrade their level of taxpayer-funded security – a decision which the duke fought unsuccessfully in the courts for years. In one of those rulings, the UK’s Home Office argued it was not appropriate for wealthy individuals to buy protective security from specialist police officers.

Harry has continued pressing for protection, often drawing comparisons of what his wife has faced with that of his mother, Diana, who died in 1997 in a high-speed car crash while paparazzi were following her.

This latest incident comes as the couple are reportedly waiting on an official risk assessment now they have returned to the UK from Montecito, California.

The couple has been asked to provide authorities with as much detail as possible about their new daily routines, including trips such as the school run, addresses routinely visited, routes taken and more, according to The Telegraph newspaper earlier this month. That information, along with any other evidence considered relevant, will be used by a branch of the UK’s Home Office to evaluate any changes to the level of threat they face.

CNN’s Lauren Said-Moorhouse and Lauren Kent contributed reporting.