Prince Harry and Meghan: NYPD has 'sufficient evidence to arrest two individuals' over paparazzi car chase

On Tuesday 16 May, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and her mother Doria Ragland attended an awards ceremony at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York by the Ms. Foundation for Women. Meghan was presented with a Women of Vision Award.

Following the ceremony, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that the couple and Doria were involved in a 'near catastrophic car chase' involving paparazzi photographers.

Photographs circulating on social media show Harry, Meghan, and Doria sitting in the back of a New York yellow taxi. At the time, the couple was vehemently mocked for their claim, the Mayor of New York, Eric Adams questioned the couple's statement, and a witness came out challenging the couple's story.

However, in February 2024, New York Police Department (NYPD) released new details about the incident and they have concluded that the couple were indeed involved in 'reckless' driving from paparazzi.

The'near catastrophic car chase' of May 2023

The Sussexes' spokesperson said in a statement:

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

This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD (New York Police Department) officers.

They continued:

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.

Dissemination of these images, given the ways in which they were obtained, encourages a highly intrusive practice that is dangerous to all in involved.

Journalist, Royal author, and apparent friend of Meghan Markle, Omid Scobie tweeted the statement from the spokesperson along with the following caption:

Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Doria Ragland were involved in a terrifying paparazzi car chase involving six blacked out vehicles in a chase that could have been fatal.

The couple wasn't believed at the time

However, X users have cast doubt over the claim. Journalist Mark Toth posted:

Something is off here. If you’ve ever driven in downtown NYC as I have, a two hour “chase” seems highly improbable. If only NYC traffic moved that fast. ^ Not making light of it. No one, including Harry & Meghan, should be harassed by pursuing media or paps.

User @SabirahLohn wrote:

Where is the video evidence Richard? I don’t know if you ever seen New York roads, but they are pretty crammed. I’d like to see official police statement on this…

@ABTR2017 tweeted:

It would not take two hours to get from the venue to wherever they were staying. They could have gone straight there. Not to mention traffic is not conducive to car chases there. I smell a story to cover why they were in a taxi. Pics or it didn’t happen.

While @christie98 wrote:

There are security cameras over every inch of NYC. If it happened, then there should be plenty of video footage. A 2 hour!! chase around NYC that injured to NYC cops sounds implausible. If true, one of the NY tv stations would have been following along.

At the time of those posts, NYPD had not yet confirmed knowledge of the incident, nor had the BBC been able to verify the incident.

In May 2023, many people associated Prince Harry's claims with his mother, the late Princess Diana's fate. In 1997, the mother of two was tragically killed in a car crash following an alleged chase with paparazzi in Paris.

Moreover, tt was Harry's fears for the safety of his family in the UK that sparked the couple's decision to step down from Royal duties and move to the United States in 2020.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle proven right

Amid Prince Harry's many legal woes the car chase in New York of May 2023 had slipped most people's minds. However, on 28 February 2024,ABC News reports that NYPD's new details were revealed by a judge in London who was ruling on Prince Harry's case about his security detail when he is in the UK.

In the ruling the judge read a letter written by the NYPD Chief of Intelligence which stated NYPD had indeed found evidence of the car chase.

The investigation had found reckless disregard of vehicle and traffic laws and persistently dangerous and unacceptable behaviour on the part of paparazzi during the night in question.

They had operated vehicles, scooters and bicycles in a manner that forced the security team, which included the NYPD lead car, to take evasive actions on several occasions and a circuitous route to avoid being struck by pursuing vehicles or trapped on side blocks.

NYPD has also stated that they now have 'sufficient evidence to arrest two individuals for reckless endangerment.' It has also been reported that NYPD has upgraded their security protocols for when the couple is visiting the city.

Once again, the Sussexes have been proven right when they were at first mocked and challenged.

Read more:

⋙ Were Prince Harry and Meghan telling the truth? Fresh revelations could link Megxit to Prince William

⋙ Meghan Markle in the spotlight during Golden Globes despite absence: Why didn't she attend?

⋙ Prince Harry and Meghan villainized once again by former royal staff in bombshell claim

Sources used:

Reuters: 'Prince Harry, wife Meghan in 'near catastrophic car chase' with paparazzi - Harry's spokesperson'

BBC: 'Harry and Meghan in 'near catastrophic' car chase - spokesperson'

Sky News: 'Prince Harry and Meghan involved in 'near catastrophic car chase with paparazzi' across New York'

ABC News: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle faced 'reckless' behavior in New York City car chase, according to NYPD

Express: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were chased by 'reckless' paparazzi in New York car chase

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