The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Involved in Chaotic Car Chase with Paparazzi in New York City
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were involved in a chaotic car chase with paparazzi in New York City on Tuesday night, their spokesperson alleged. The incident could have resulted in a "catastrophic" outcome, according to the couple’s account.
The Sussexes were pursued by photographers after leaving the Women of Vision Awards at the city’s Ziegfeld Ballroom in a convoy that also included Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother. The couple was left shaken by the incident, although ultimately no one was hurt, their security detail told CNN.
Police said "numerous" photographers made the Sussexes’ transport "challenging," but that there were no reported collisions, injuries, or arrests.
According to the couple’s account, the altercation with photographers was prolonged and risky. "Last night, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi," the couple’s spokesperson said.
"This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers."
Two people involved with the couple’s security also described the incident as chaotic, with the paparazzi in numerous vehicles, including cars, scooters, mopeds, and electrical bikes. The Sussexes had to switch cars during the chase, they say.
The NYPD assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Tuesday evening and "there were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging," said Julian Phillips, the NYPD’s deputy commissioner for public information.
The couple’s spokesperson said that while "being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety" and urged the media not to publish photographs from the incident.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Sussexes as public figures, particularly in the face of aggressive paparazzi tactics. The couple’s spokesperson emphasized the need for public safety to take precedence over the pursuit of sensational images.
FAQs
Q: What happened during the car chase?
A: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were pursued by photographers after leaving an event in New York City, resulting in a prolonged and risky chase.
Q: Were there any injuries or arrests?
A: No, there were no reported injuries or arrests during the incident.
Q: What did the NYPD say about the incident?
A: The NYPD assisted the private security team protecting the Sussexes and said that the photographers made their transport challenging.
Q: What does the couple’s spokesperson want the media to do about the incident?
A: The spokesperson urged the media not to publish photographs from the incident, citing concerns for public safety.