Meghan and Prince Harry’s latest public appearance have angered a few US parents asked to follow strict rules to keep themselves, teachers and children as safe as possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Assistance League Preschool Learning Center in Los Angeles on Monday, which has been providing early education service to children in need for more than 100 years.
Photographs showing Meghan and Harry planting flowers next to children at this centre sparked annoyance among those who, over the past few days, have been asked not to accompany their sons and daughters inside their schools no matter how young they were.
Taking to Twitter, Jill Harris wrote: “I could not even hold my daughter’s hand and take her into school last week when she started kindergarten.
“These two just ‘turn up and break the rules’ whenever they feel like it?”
Another social media user, Jackie L, replied to this tweet adding: “Exactly I can’t take a pencil to my child right now. NO visitors. No exceptions.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s latest public engagement took place on Monday (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry planted Forget-Me-Not seeds (Image: GETTY)
“They have no respect for the rules as they are ‘humanitarians’ they are the exception?
“BS kids in the US have no clue what a Duke/Duchess even is but they can come in when I can’t…for a pic?!?”
Other Twitter users appeared to be puzzled by Meghan and Harry’s decision to be in close contact with children as schools are reopening across the world.
Twitter user SugarFreeZone wrote: “I think any charity for children is lovely, kudos for that.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry read nursery rhymes to children on Monday (Image: GETTY)
“But… did they really need to have their favourite photographer there?
“And why, if the school children’s own parents aren’t allowed inside due to COVID, they are there, with their photographer??”
Briana added: “I’ve also heard that in some schools only one parent is allowed to come in at a time.
“This is the wrong moment to add strangers to the mix.”
And social media user Tiffany B said: “I really feel this is in poor taste.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with their son Archie Harrison (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited an association helping children in need on Monday (Image: GETTY)
“California COVID guidelines are very strict.
“Most daycares and preschools are not allowing parents on premisses even if it’s their child’s first time, nor are they allowing parent volunteers, yet these two were allowed in with a photographer?”
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued guidance, last updated in mid-July, for education providers and early care sites.
Under the section named ‘creating a safe environment for children and caregivers’, the guidance read: “Modify daily operations to minimize exposures (e.g. avoid the use of touchscreens for sign-in/out, ask parents to bring their own pens to sign in, implement valet services or have staff meet children as they arrive to avoid parents coming into the childcare centre).
Prince Harry served in the Army for 10 years (Image: EXPRESS)
Other counties in California are urging parents to stay outside of the buildings when dropping off children.
The guidance issued by the Santa Clara County read: “Parents or other individuals dropping off or picking up older children or youth by car should be encouraged to remain in their vehicles to the extent possible.
“If in-person drop-off or pickup is necessary, only a single individual should drop off or pick up the child/youth.”
Express.co.uk has contacted the Assistance League for comment.
Meghan and Harry’s visit took place on the 23rd anniversary of the death of Princess Diana.
To remember her, the couple planted some Forget-Me-Not seeds – her favourite flower.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry now live in California (Image: GETTY)
The pair also played nursery rhymes and read books about gardening, vegetables and planting.
The whole engagement took place outside, where it is believed there are fewer chances of spreading the virus.
Meghan and Harry both wore face coverings as well as the children they interacted with.
The Sussexes had previously worked with this organisation, which aims at improving the lives of children in need “through philanthropy, dedicated service, and compassionate programmes”, as stated on the League’s website.
The preschool service welcomes students aged between 3 and 5 from local low-income families.
