According to a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan, the couple and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, were involved in a dangerous car chase with paparazzi after attending an awards ceremony in New York.
The spokesperson claimed that the pursuit lasted for over two hours and involved multiple near collisions. The New York Police Department confirmed the incident but stated that there were no arrests or injuries. The details of the incident have not been independently verified by BBC News. Buckingham Palace has not yet commented on the matter. The entertainment picture agency Backgrid stated that they were investigating the conduct of several freelance photographers involved but mentioned that their initial account differed from that of the Sussexes.
Alleged reckless driving behaviors included going through red lights, driving on the pavement, blocking maneuvers, reversing down a one-way street, and taking photographs while driving. Harry and Meghan, along with Ms. Ragland, sought refuge from the paparazzi at a Manhattan police station and later attempted to use a yellow taxi to avoid compromising their security.
After initially attempting to use a yellow taxi, Prince Harry, Meghan, and their companions decided to switch to their own security vehicles when they were spotted by photographers. A cab driver named Sukhcharn Singh, also known as Sonny, stated that he picked up the four passengers on 67th Street in New York. He described them as “nice people” who appeared nervous. Singh did not perceive the paparazzi as being aggressive and believed that claims of a “near catastrophic chase” might have been exaggerated.
The event attended by Harry and Meghan, the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards, marked their first public appearance together since King Charles’ Coronation. Meghan accepted an award at the ceremony alongside LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of Black Voters Matter. New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed concerns about the potential harm to innocent bystanders and police officers during such chases.
Prince Harry is currently involved in multiple legal disputes with British tabloids, including allegations of phone hacking and unlawful information gathering. His lawyer recently argued in a London court for the prince’s right to challenge a government decision denying him the ability to pay for police protection while in the country. The couple’s move to the US in 2020 was partly motivated by harassment from UK tabloids, and Prince Harry has made it his mission to change the media landscape. He is scheduled to appear in a London court next month to provide evidence in a phone-hacking case.
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