Prince Harry, Meghan, and Meghan’s mother were caught in a harrowing car chase involving paparazzi, according to a spokesperson for the couple. The incident took place after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended an awards ceremony in New York City. The spokesperson stated that the pursuit lasted over two hours and resulted in near collisions, describing it as a “near catastrophic” situation. However, the BBC has not been able to independently verify the details.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that an incident occurred and acknowledged the challenges posed by numerous photographers in the pursuit of Harry and Meghan’s vehicle. The chase reportedly involved half a dozen cars and included reckless driving behaviors such as running red lights, driving on the pavement, blocking maneuvers, reversing down one-way streets, and even taking photographs while driving.
The spokesperson for Prince Harry emphasized that while public figures naturally attract public interest, it should never come at the expense of safety. The dissemination of these images, obtained through dangerous and intrusive practices, is concerning and encourages further intrusion into the lives of those involved.
The awards ceremony, the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards, marked the first public appearance of the couple since the King’s Coronation earlier in the month. Meghan received an award at the event alongside LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter. Accompanied by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, the group was photographed leaving the ceremony in Manhattan.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his concerns about the incident, stating that police officers could have been injured and emphasizing the potential danger to innocent bystanders in such chases. He found it difficult to believe that a high-speed chase lasted for two hours but noted that even a 10-minute chase in congested New York would be extremely hazardous.
Duncan Larcombe, author of the book “Prince Harry: The Inside Story,” expressed surprise at the apparent security lapse experienced by Harry and Meghan in the country. He emphasized the need to address the operational practices of paparazzi, questioning whether they can continue to operate in such a manner.
This incident holds particular significance for Prince Harry, whose mother, Princess Diana, tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 while being chased by photographers. In an interview for the documentary “Diana, 7 Days,” Harry described the paparazzi as a relentless pack that hounded his mother, constantly pursuing her, harassing her, and seeking to provoke a reaction.
Prince Harry is currently engaged in multiple legal disputes with British tabloid press, including allegations of phone hacking and unlawful gathering of information. His ongoing battle to change media practices is considered his “life’s work.” Next month, he is scheduled to appear in a London court to provide evidence in a phone hacking case.
The incident in New York serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Harry and Meghan in their quest for privacy and protection from intrusive media practices.
