On May 16, 2022, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were involved in a car chase with paparazzi after they attended the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in New York City. According to a spokesperson for the couple, the incident involved “a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi” who were pursuing the couple.
The chase lasted “over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers.” The couple and Meghan’s mother, Doria, were making their way back to a friend’s private residence, where they were staying, and did not want to compromise the location. Here are the key details:
Who was involved:
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, were in the car during the chase.
What happened during the car chase:
The spokesperson described it as a “near catastrophic car chase” that lasted over two hours and involved multiple near collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, and even two NYPD officers. The couple was trying to return to a friend’s private residence without compromising its location.
Meghan and Harry’s statement:
The couple’s spokesperson expressed concern for their safety, stating that while being public figures attracts interest from the public, it should not come at the cost of their safety. They also highlighted the dangers of the intrusive practices of obtaining and disseminating such images.
New York Police Department statement:
The New York Police Department released a statement acknowledging their assistance to the private security team protecting Meghan and Harry. They confirmed that the couple arrived at their destination without any reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests.
Mayor Eric Adams’ comments:
When asked about Harry’s car chase, New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of public safety and criticized the reckless and irresponsible behavior. He expressed concern about the potential harm to innocent bystanders and recalled the tragic death of Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.
Buckingham Palace’s response:
Buckingham Palace did not comment on the incident, as they typically refrain from making statements regarding Meghan and Harry since their decision to step back from their royal roles in 2020.
Photographers’ statement:
Photo agency BACKGRID USA Inc. released a statement in response to Prince Harry’s allegations. They mentioned receiving photos and videos from freelance photographers who were covering Meghan and Harry’s stay in New York City. The agency stated that the photographers had no intention to cause harm, and according to their accounts, there were no near-collisions or near-crashes during the incident. They acknowledged the work of the couple’s security detail and committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
These are the latest known details about the car chase involving Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
