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Hugh Grant is speaking out after what he described as an uncomfortable and inappropriate interaction with immigration officers at Heathrow Airport. The 64-year-old actor took to social media to share his frustration about the incident, which occurred while he was traveling with his wife, Anna Eberstein, and their three children.
Grant explained that he and his family had just passed through Heathrow when a Border Force officer, despite all their passports matching the same last name, decided to engage the children in a casual conversation. The officer then leaned in and asked the children, “Are these your Mum and Dad?” Grant called the exchange “intrusive, insulting, and creepy,” expressing his dismay at the interaction.
It’s important to note that Border Force officers are employed by the U.K.’s Home Office, not Heathrow Airport itself, but the incident still raised questions about airport security and privacy boundaries.
Grant and Eberstein, who have been married since 2018, are parents to John, 11, Lulu, 8, and Blue, 6. Grant also has two children, Tabitha and Felix, from his previous relationship with Tinglan Hong.
The actor’s post quickly gained traction on social media, with many followers agreeing that questioning young children in such a manner, especially in a public space, was inappropriate. Though neither Heathrow Airport nor the U.K. Home Office has responded to Grant’s complaint, the incident has sparked a wider conversation about privacy and the limits of security protocols at airports. For Grant, this unsettling moment serves as a reminder that even routine travel can sometimes lead to uncomfortable encounters.