Ex-Royal Cop Slams Harry and Meghan Over "Nonsense" Security Claims and Paparazzi Comparison
An ex-royal cop questioned the publicity involving foreign photographers, who reportedly observed the Sussex kids' school for several hours.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made an unexpected return to the UK in August. While Harry has been lobbying the British government for tax-funded protection arrangements, Prime Minister Andy Burnham dismissed the request as a "private matter." Shortly after arriving, the couple pulled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet from a British prep school just two days after enrollment because of a security scare. And despite prior RAVEC reviews, the children faced another threat when they were allegedly exposed to international photographers at their new school.
A Sussex spokesman likened the pap controversy to the RAF Fairford security breach, where anti-terror activity was reported, and the police had to intervene. "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 spokesman stated. This statement drew sharp criticism from a former royal protection officer, who accused the couple of manufacturing unnecessary drama.
"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," Dai Davis, former head of Met Police security for the royal family, told The Sun, dismissing the Sussexes' claims as "nonsense." "If you look at the track record, such as the New York car incident, they are nothing of real consequence."
He stated, "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." The former royal cop also questioned the publicity involving foreign photographers, who allegedly watched the school for hours and walked its perimeter after leaving a rented white van.
Royal author Robert Jobson weighed in on the issue and stated that the increasing pressure for Ravec to enhance protection is due to the handling of such security stories, which appear to be a "calculated and cynical strategy" to access public funds. According to Page Six, two young men were observed by private security and school staff walking around the perimeter of Archie and Lilibet’s school, pausing at different points to look inside the grounds.
Meanwhile, Markle recently faced security challenges after her phone number was leaked from a WhatsApp group for Archie and Lilibet's school parents. Following a discussion between Markle and two other mothers, the chat containing her personal number was screenshotted and widely shared. Consequently, the couple has encountered ongoing security leaks since returning to the UK.
