- Sean Coughlan & Bernd Debusman Jr
- BBC News
image source, Good pictures
Doria Ragland, Prince Harry and Meghan at the Ms Foundation Women’s Vision Awards
Prince Harry, Meghan and his mother were involved in a “near catastrophic car chase” involving the paparazzi, according to the prince’s spokesman.
The incident happened after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended an awards ceremony in New York on Tuesday.
In a statement, the prince’s spokesman said the “relentless pursuit” lasted more than two hours.
This led to clashes with other drivers, pedestrians and police officers on the road.
The BBC was unable to independently verify details of the incident.
“While being a public figure comes with public interest, it should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety,” the spokesperson said.
“The dissemination of these images, given the means by which they were obtained, encourages a highly invasive practice that is dangerous for all involved.”
The New York Police Department (NYPD) did not immediately confirm knowledge of the matter. There are no reports of injuries or arrests yet.
The awards ceremony – the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards – will be the couple’s first public appearance together since the King’s coronation earlier this month. Meghan accepted an award alongside Black Voters Matter co-founder Latosha Brown at the event.
They were accompanied by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Photos taken last night show the group leaving the party in Manhattan.
It is now alleged that he was driving recklessly, including chasing half a dozen cars, running through red lights, driving on sidewalks, making blocking moves and reversing on a one-way street – as well as taking photos while driving. .
The BBC understands the pair were staying at a friend’s house in New York and did not return directly to avoid compromising their safety during the chase.
image source, Good pictures
Photos taken last night show Prince Harry and Meghan leaving the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City
It is also said that the pursuit did not stop in the presence of New York police officers.
Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 after being chased by photographers.
In an interview with the BBC for the documentary “Diana, 7 Days,” Prince Harry referred to the paparazzi who constantly hound his mother as “a pack of dogs.” “Every time she goes out there’s a crowd waiting for her,” he said. “I mean a pack of dogs, chasing her, chasing her, harassing her, calling her names, spitting on her, trying to get a reaction, trying to get that photo of her lashing out.”
Prince Harry is currently embroiled in several legal battles with British tabloids, including allegations of phone hacking and illegal information gathering.
Earlier this week, a lawyer representing Prince Harry told a London court that he should be allowed to challenge the government’s decision to deny him the ability to pay for police protection while in the country.
The pair stepped down from royal duties and moved to the US in 2020 – which they said was partly due to harassment from UK tabloids.
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