Piers Morgan calls Meghan Markle 'absurd' for no photos at Wimbledon request

Piers Morgan has criticised Meghan Markle after it emerged her security team reportedly tried to stop tennis fans taking pictures of her at Wimbledon.

Tennis aficionados were thrilled when the Duchess of Sussex made a surprise appearance at Wimbledon last week to support her friend Serena Williams.

But while the television cameras and official photographers were able to capture the royal cheering on her pal, according to reports those sitting closest to the duchess were asked not to take photographs because she was there “in a private capacity.”

In a column for the Telegraph , media consultant Sally Jones, who was seated in the same row, claims to have been asked by a royal protection officer to abstain from taking pictures of the Duchess.

The 64-year-old spectator, says she was tapped on the shoulder by royal protection officer, who said: “Would you not take photographs of the Duchess. She's here in a private capacity.”

She told the Telegraph: “I told him it was bonkers and that even if I had been trying to snap the Duchess, I'd have got a blurry picture of her right ear.”

“Apart from anything else, there were hundreds of people clicking away. I said to him, 'Have you thought about having a word with any of those television cameras?' He looked a little uncomfortable.”

The alleged request has frustrated breakfast host Piers Morgan and, on this morning’s episode of ‘Good Morning Britain’, he accused the royal of hypocrisy.

"A private capacity... in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. As the Duchess of Sussex,” he said. "This is so ridiculous, this obsession that her and Harry have about privacy.

"It's frankly hypocritical and they're not private people, they're the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. We get to pay for their mansion, we get to do all of this..."

When co-host Susanna Reid said she could understand the royal’s request for privacy, Piers retorted: "In the Royal Box at Wimbledon. With the world's cameras beamed on their heads.

"It's not a private place. If you want to be private don't go to the Royal Box at Wimbledon.

"Honestly, it's a complete joke. You've got to work out what you want to be - do you want to be public or private?

"If you go to Wimbledon in your free tickets in the Royal Box, the best seats in the house for nothing, and you take your two bezzies... you're public people.

"If you want to be private, go back to America and live privately."

READ MORE: Meghan Markle's subtle tribute to baby Archie in Wimbledon outfit

It’s worth noting Meghan wasn’t sat in the Royal Box, as Piers says, as Serena’s match took place on court one rather than centre court.

This is also why Meghan’s fairly relaxed outfit - that included jeans - was completely acceptable.

There’s no official dress code for Wimbledon, unless you’re in the Royal Box.

Wimbledon’s website states that the protocol for the Royal Box is “dress is smart, suits/jacket and tie, etc.

Ladies are asked not to wear hats, as they tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them.”

READ MORE: Meghan Markle criticised for ‘breaking’ Wimbledon dress code - here’s why she didn’t