When news broke last week that Meghan Markle’s phone number had been leaked from the school’s group chat, I was shocked. Not because she’s the Duchess of Sussex, who—according to most U.K. tabloids—can hardly ever put a foot right. But simply because, as a mom of school-aged kids myself, I know that the WhatsApp parenting group is sacred. It’s where we get our bread-and-butter info. It’s where we bitch about the one million early dismissals. And, if I were Meghan Markle (or any mom participating in one), I’d be pissed if my info was shared.
The latest royal drama all began with what sounds like a totally benign digital interaction. According to reports, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were about to start at their new U.K.-based school when Markle was welcomed to the chat.
One parent kicked things off with an introduction that read: “Welcome to Meghan who has Archie joining tomo,” which was followed by another parent chiming in with, “Welcome!!” Markle replied back: “Hi moms! Thanks for the warm welcome. So happy to be a part of this community xx”. From there, a screenshot was taken, the Duchess of Sussex’s phone number was leaked and pretty much anyone with an internet connection knew the back and forth of her school-related conversation.
I was shocked, not by the tabloids who amplified her personal info, but by the parent who violated what’s meant to be a safe space. After all, there’s an unspoken rule here. The school WhatsApp chat is not just home to our phone numbers and emails. It’s also a place where parents’ addresses and Venmo handles live, as well as children’s photos, allergies and—yes—lice outbreak information.
The minute I’m added to one, I suddenly feel responsible for the collective privacy of every family who joins. That’s not to say I won’t verbally discuss any drama that plays out, it’s just that I would never screenshot anything and share it outside the chat.
The Mom Group Chat is Sacred & Meghan Markle Has Every Right to Be Pissed
Just don't with the screenshot
Etiquette expert Myka Meier agrees: “School group chats should be treated as a trusted and private space,” she says. “Parents join them to share information about their children, schedules and school with the reasonable expectation that what is shared within the group stays within the group. Passing along someone’s phone number, screenshots or private messages without permission is a serious break of that trust, regardless of who the person is.”
Should Markle have clapped back at the information breach? Delivered a searing side-eye to the mom who outed her? I would have. Ultimately, we can’t know how she responded. We know she switched the kids’ school, though that was more about the lack of security on the commute, according to reports. And we also know that, as always, she comes away from this kerfuffle with both admirers and critics.
Bottom line: The next time you’re tempted to screenshot something annoying in the class chat and blast it to your friend group, try to pause and reconsider. Just pretend the mom is royalty.
