In a surprising turn of events, renowned British actor Hugh Grant took to social media to express his frustration over what he described as an “insulting” encounter at London’s Heathrow Airport. This incident occurred on a Friday as he traveled with his wife, Anna Eberstein, and their three children.

Grant shared his experience on X, shedding light on how he and his family, all sharing the same last name, faced scrutiny from the immigration officer. “Just came through Heathrow with wife and children. We all have the same last name (Grant) on our passports,” the 64-year-old actor stated. To his shock, the immigration officer engaged in conversation with his children and then whispered the question, “Are these your Mum and Dad?”

The actor did not hold back in his critique of the officer’s behavior, labeling the interaction as “intrusive, insulting and creepy.” As of now, there have been no follow-up comments from Grant's representatives regarding the aftermath of the incident.

In response to the uproar, a spokesperson for Heathrow clarified that the Border Force officers who manage immigration procedures are employed by the Home Office, not by the airport itself. “Border Force officers are not Heathrow staff, and the immigration halls are managed by the Home Office/Border Force,” the representative informed reporters.

Attempts to reach out to the Home Office for further clarification did not yield immediate results.

This incident is of particular interest given that Grant shares three children—son John, 12, and daughters Lulu, 9, and Blue, 6—with Eberstein, whom he married in 2018. Additionally, he has two older children from a previous relationship, making him a father of five.

Interestingly, while many sympathized with Grant on social media, several users defended the actions of the immigration officer. “It’s for child safeguarding reasons. Be thankful the officer was doing their job correctly,” one user commented, while another voiced pride in the officer’s diligence.

Heathrow's official website outlines that travelers with children who have different last names may be asked to confirm their relationship, and suggests bringing documents like birth or adoption certificates, or permission letters from parents, to expedite the process. It's still unclear whether Grant was aware of these protocols beforehand or had the required documents ready.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about airport security measures and child safeguarding protocols, raising questions about the balance between ensuring safety and respecting privacy. As the story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics that can occur during travel, particularly for high-profile individuals.