Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had their aides ask a New York public school to sign a “gag order” ahead of their brief 2021 visit, according to a report.
The clause allegedly prohibited anyone at Harlem-based Public School 123 Mahalia Jackson from making negative comments about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “now or in the future,” The Sun reports.
Reps for the couple’s Archewell Foundation sent the Department of Education an “appearance release” three days before their visit, the outlet adds, which was reportedly handled by an NYC schools press officer who had asked the pair for the “best way to get it agreed.”
The press officer reportedly asked to remove the mention of Markle’s children’s book from the release to “make it a bit less promotion-ey,” the outlet added.
Sources close to Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation have since defended the move as “standard practice.”
The Post has reached out to the school, the Department of Education and reps for the Sussexes for comment.
During the pair’s Sept. 2021 trip to the Big Apple, the couple paid a visit to Public School 123 to promote early literacy among young children and encourage the habit of reading.
The “Suits” alum sat down in the middle of the playground with the mesmerized second-graders to read from her best-selling picture book, “The Bench.”
Harry, who sat cross-legged on the ground close by, was heard telling a student at one point during the reading, “It’s great to be back. We love New York.”
Asked by one of the students if she planned on writing another book, Markle said at the time, “At the moment I don’t plan to write another children’s book, but never say never.”
The couple, joined by New York City Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, also posed with students and staff in front of a mural made by fourth- and fifth-graders.
The Sussexes exchanged hugs with several students before donating two garden boxes with vegetables and herbs to the school.
“Being able to meet her was like a chance of a lifetime. Everyone was really excited. It was a secret from everyone,” art teacher James Reynolds told The Post at the time.
“We have been through a lot in the last 18 months … I think they were just eternally grateful she stopped by. They were great folks.”
Since the trip, Harry also added “author” to his resume with the release of his protocol-shattering memoir, “Spare,” in January 2023, which followed the release of their six-part Netflix documentary,
