Actor Hugh Grant has publicly criticized an uncomfortable interaction his family experienced with an immigration officer at London's Heathrow Airport. The incident occurred when Grant was traveling with his wife and children on April 4.
According to Grant's post on social media platform X, despite all family members having the same surname "Grant" on their passports, an immigration officer engaged his children in conversation before quietly asking them "Are these your Mum and Dad?"
The "Notting Hill" star condemned the officer's behavior as "intrusive, insulting and creepy." The interaction happened while Grant was traveling with his wife Anna Eberstein and their three children.
While Heathrow's official guidance indicates that officers may ask questions to verify relationships when travelers have different surnames or appear not to be parents, Grant emphasized that this was not applicable in their case since all family members share the same last name.
The 64-year-old actor, who maintains a private family life, has five children in total - three with his current wife Anna Eberstein, and two from a previous relationship with Tinglan Hong.
The Home Office, which oversees immigration officers across the U.K., has not yet responded to the incident. Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Grant, Heathrow Airport, and the Home Office for comment.
The incident has sparked discussion about airport security protocols and the balance between necessary security measures and passenger privacy, particularly when children are involved.