A spokesperson for British Prince Harry announced on Wednesday that the prince, his wife Meghan Markle, and her mother were involved in a "nearly catastrophic car chase" led by intrusive photographers. The chase occurred after Harry and Meghan attended an awards ceremony in New York on Tuesday evening. The spokesperson indicated that about six cars, with tinted windows, participated in the chase, driving recklessly and endangering the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Meghan's mother.
The spokesperson stated in a statement: "Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland were subjected to a nearly catastrophic car chase by a very aggressive group of intrusive photographers." He added: "This relentless pursuit, which lasted over two hours, resulted in several instances where collisions with other drivers on the road, pedestrians, and two New York police officers were imminent."
The spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex noted that the chase, which took place after they left the awards ceremony in Midtown Manhattan, could have resulted in fatalities, as photographers drove on the sidewalks and ran red lights while taking pictures. The New York Police Department indicated that they assisted the private security team responsible for protecting the prince and his wife.
A spokesperson for the NYPD said, "There were numerous photographers who took risks while moving around. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reached their destination, and there were no reports of collisions or injuries, nor were there any summonses or arrests."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that he had been informed that two NYPD officers could have been injured in the incident. He added, "I don't think any of us have forgotten how his mother died," referring to Prince Harry's mother, Princess Diana, who was killed while being chased by intrusive photographers in a tunnel in Paris. He continued, "It would also be horrifying to lose an innocent bystander in such a chase or for the couple to come to harm."
