"Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been accused of trying to gag teachers and students at a New York school they visited two years ago.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Public School 123 Mahalia Jackson, which is among one of the poorest in New York City, in September 2021.

Meghan, 42, was dressed in a $5,000 suit and Cartier jewelry to read to second-grade students from her picture book The Bench while Harry, 39, sat down with the children.

But advisors from their Archewell foundation demanded the Harlem school sign a clause which banned anyone from making negative comments, according to The Sun.

The request was also related to any posts on social media 'now or in the future'. Sources close to the Archewell foundation have insisted that standard practice was followed."

"Freedom of information requests have revealed how the couple's advisors at Archewell tried to protect their image.

It also highlights how their team banned four British newspapers from attending an event at the World Trade Center, even though it is a publicly owned building.

Plans for the Sussexes' trip began six months before the event and it was managed by Toya Holness, a member of the couple's PR team.

Archewell representatives emailed the Department of Education three days before the visit to Public School 123.

They requested the 'appearance release' which included the gagging clause and asked them to run it by their lawyers.

Another email from NYC schools press secretary Danielle Filson had asked for the best way to get it all agreed but it is not clear if the Sussexes' request was signed."

"The parties also shared opinions about the language used in the Department of Education press release.

Filson wanted to remove reference to The Bench and said: 'Just wanted to make it a bit less promotion-ey.'

Dailymail.com has contacted the organization and Public School 123 for comment."


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12553491/Harry-Meghan-duchess-accused-gag-teachers-students-new-york-school.html