Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, 22, was stopped at U.S immigration in New York after being mistaken for a child. She was singled out by officials after landing at JFK airport and told she should be accompanied by an adult. The actress, who was wearing a school-style backpack, was eventually waved through, presumably after proving her age.

A source who spoke with the Sunday People said, "Emma was mortified. Not only did they not recognise her, they thought she was a child. It was very embarrassing but she managed to awkwardly laugh it off," adding, "The Americans are very serious about who they let in and out of their country. If young kids are thought to be travelling on their own it poses a massive problem." The British actress - one of the most recognisable stars on the planet - joked about the incident on Twitter, writing, "Passport control: 'Unaccompanied minor?' Me: 'Sorry?' Passport control: 'Where is ur guardian?' Me: 'I'm 22!!!!!!!' #neverwearingabackpackagain." She added, "The really sad thing is that this is not the first time this has happened."

Watson was returning to the United States where she is expected to continue her studies at Brown University, Rhode Island. She took two years out to work on a couple of high profile film projects, including Darren Aronofsky's Noah, with Russell Crowe and Anthony Hopkins.