A phone number belonging to Meghan Markle has reportedly been leaked, along with the contents of a private WhatsApp group containing messages about the couple’s children
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has suffered a worrying security breach after a personal phone number was reportedly leaked online.
A number, said to belong to the Duchess of Sussex, was reportedly posted on the internet after being obtained from a parents’ WhatsApp group connected to their children’s new school.
The private number was reportedly circulating online having been shared multiple times, along with a screenshot of a group containing fellow Year 3 parents, according to The Sun. The image, which has not been verified by The Daily Star, shows a WhatsApp chat called “Year 3” and a message welcoming “Meghan” to the group and saying that “Archie” will be joining the school tomorrow.
In response, a user named “M” writes: “Hi moms! Thanks for the warm welcome. So happy to be a part of this community.”
It is not known how the message was leaked, although The Sun described it has having been been “shared multiple times”.
The reported leak comes after the couple were forced to switch the school they had selected for their two children Archie and Lilibet, due to “security concerns” created by traffic jams and a “pinch point” during the morning commute.
source close to the couple said: “The decision for the children to move school was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements.”
They added: “The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family. This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.”
While a government report into the security needs of the Sussexes is reportedly underway, a letter written on behalf of the King earlier this month emphasises that the pair would remain “private citizens”, suggesting that they will not be offered the same tax-payer funded protection as other members of the Royal Family.
The letter read: “This position, distinct from the state and royal duties undertaken by the working royal family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.”