Meghan Markle’s security team allegedly told tennis fans not to take photos at Wimbledon

Meghan Markle’s security seemed intent on keeping the public away at Wimbledon — leading to one very awkward encounter with a punter.

Meghan Markle wants to “engage with people, not phones”, a Palace insider has claimed after her security team tried to stop tennis fans from taking pictures of her at Wimbledon.

The Duchess of Sussex made a surprise appearance on Court 1 last week to watch pal Serena Williams along with friends Genevieve Hillis and Lindsay Roth.

One man sitting in front of the Duchess was questioned by a Royal bodyguard after he appeared to take a photo of Meghan.

But on closer inspection it showed the man was just taking a selfie with the court in the background:

A man takes a selfie at Wimbledon as Meghan sits behind him. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images

A Royal bodyguard then speaks to the man. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images

On closer inspection it shows the man was actually taking a selfie — not a photo of the Duchess. Picture: Mega Agency

Media consultant Sally Jones claimed in the UK’s Daily Telegraph that the former US actress’ security team asked her not to take pictures of the royal as she sat in the same row.

Later, she told the Daily Mail the Duchess was “clearly looking around looking to see who was looking at her”.

She said Harry and Meghan “see themselves more as A-list celebrities rather than royals carrying out their duties”.

While Kensington Palace declined to comment, a royal source said: “It’s not uncommon for personal protection officers accompanying any members of the Royal Family to ask people not to take pictures so they can engage with people and events rather than camera phones.”

The alleged request left Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan seeing red as he accused Meghan of hypocrisy.

The outspoken GMB host ranted: “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.”

And when co-host Susanna Reid said she was sympathetic over the Royals requests for privacy, Piers exploded: “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?”

He further slammed Meghan and Prince Harry’s “obsession” with privacy, adding: “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.”

Meghan with friends Genevieve Hillis and Lindsay Roth and a sea of empty seats around them watching the action on Court 1 last week.

Duchess of Sussex (right) watches Serena Williams on court one on day four of the Wimbledon Championships last week. Pictire: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images

It comes as Ms Jones revealed in her column that she was “happily snapping” photos of Serena Williams when she was asked to stop taking photos of Meghan.

She wrote: “Watching Serena Williams in action on Court 1 at Wimbledon, I was happily snapping shots of the superstar American powering down huge serves when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Would you not take photographs of the Duchess,’ a voice ordered politely. ‘She’s here in a private capacity.’

The Duchess of Sussex in the stands at Wimbledon. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

“No wonder there is a growing tide of resentment against the Sussexes for their secretive, high maintenance attitude and diva-ish demands for privacy when it suits them — despite the eye-wateringly expensive, taxpayer-funded refit of Frogmore Cottage.”

The 37-year-old had headed to Court One on Thursday to cheer on her close friend Serena Williams.

And four rows were kept empty surrounding the former actress — while VIPs were reportedly left to queue outside.

Meghan’s outfit for the day out also drew some criticism as she donned jeans with a white jacket and hat. She also wore a sweet necklace with the letter A for Archie on it.

Her seats, in the exclusive members’ section, normally has a dress code banning denim.

The All England Club refused to comment on the dress code for that section and merely insisted she was ‘perfectly well dressed’.

It comes after Meghan and Harry held a private christening for their son Archie at Windsor Castle last weekend amid a blaze of controversy.

The new parents chose to withhold the names of the godparents of the seventh in line to the throne and only release pictures to the media afterwards.

Duchess of Sussex watches Serena Williams at the All England Club. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Critics were unimpressed with the decision, pointing to recent news that the couple spent $4 million of taxpayers’ money refurbishing their Frogmore Cottage home.

Their five-bedroom property — a gift from the Queen — is said to have required a “substantial overhaul” before they were able to move in, including new heating, wiring and utilities.

And the Sun understands it has been Harry pushing to keep all details kept private.

A source close to the couple said: “People might think Meghan responsible for this whole privacy thing but it is Harry leading the charge. He wants Archie to be a private citizen in every way possible.”

Kate Middleton and Prince William attended the christening over the weekend — despite rumours of a rift between the couples, with the Sussexes recently splitting from the joint charity with the Cambridges.

The speculated feud has even seen the palace deliberately try to avoid “diary clashes” between Harry, Meghan, William and Kate to prevent “competition”, a royal author claimed.

Megan Markle applauds the action between points. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

But their awkward poses in the Royal Family photo, with the Duchess of Cambridge said to appear “ready to flee” according to one body language expert.

Piers’ rant over Meghan’s Wimbledon appearance left GMB viewers divided this morning, with many saying they agreed with him.

One wrote on social media: “She’s happy to get the freebies for the likes of the Tennis for her and her buddies. I noticed she wore her hat the other day after being told she couldn’t last year in the royal box!!”

Another added: “I thought she was on maternity leave? Or it that when it suits her?”

Another viewer said they felt like Meghan and Harry’s push for privacy had backfired, pointing out: “I feel Meghan is fighting for privacy to actually get more attention as there seems to be a lot written and said about her and Harry and the baby. If she wants privacy it’s not really working.”

But others were less than impressed with Piers.

This story was originally published in The Sun and reproduced with permission.