Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, experienced a nightmarish ordeal during their recent night out in New York City. Details about their “near catastrophic” paparazzi pursuit, which also involved Meghan’s mother, inside…
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s night out in New York City took a terrifying turn!
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as Meghan’s mom Doria Ragland, were involved in a “near catastrophic car chase” with “highly aggressive paparazzi” after attending the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards ceremony held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhatten on Tuesday, during which Meghan received a Woman of Vision Award.
Thankfully, the couple’s children, Archie Harrison, 4, and Lilibet Diana, 23-months, were not present during the incident.
Prince Harry’s spokesperson confirmed that he, Meghan, and her mother are safe and unharmed, and they did not require hospitalization..
“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 statement reads. “This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers. 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.”
Despite skepticism from trolls, the New York Police Department officially confirmed the occurrence of a paparazzi pursuit involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last night.
On Tuesday evening, May 16, the NYPD assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard.
Check out a few clips of the couple being swarmed by paparazzi while getting inside of their taxi before the incident:
It has come to my attention that the likes of the daily mail are already lying that Harry and Meghan left in a taxi. Why they would lie about something that is so easily disproven will forever surprise me (or perhaps not) #HarryandMeghan
— Gabsxo (@Gabsxo3) May 17, 2023
If anything happens to Harry and Meghan, these paparazzi and the owners of these Tabloids with king Charles and William, should be held responsible and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. pic.twitter.com/QCPgNGeimy
— sussexopulence (@sussexopulence) May 17, 2023
The scary incident, occurring shortly after Harry’s attendance at his father’s Coronation in London, brings back haunting memories of Princess Diana’s tragic passing in the late 1990s. Similarities arise as some media outlets point fingers at the paparazzi’s reckless pursuit of Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed’s car, which was believed to have contributed to the fatal crash in 1997.
In their Netflix documentary series, “Harry & Meghan,” the couple, who resigned as senior royals in 2020, openly discussed the intense media scrutiny they have faced.
“My job is to keep my family safe,” Harry said while explaining his and Meghan’s royal exit. “But the nature of being born into this position amid everything that comes with it and the level of hate that is being stirred up in the last three years, especially against my wife and my son, I’m generally concerned for the safety of my family.”
Harry’s unwavering stance against media harassment of Meghan was evident when he passionately condemned it in “The Me You Can’t See” in May 2021.
“My mother was chased 2 her death while she was in relationship with someone that wasn’t white. Now look what’s happened.U wanna talk abt history repeating itself?
They’re not gonna stop until she dies” #PrinceHarry
https://t.co/yPFVkG20qe https://t.co/sB89FIjBon pic.twitter.com/g4hujqmsIG— Sarah (@SarahData_) May 17, 2023
”My biggest regret is not making more of a stance earlier on in my relationship with my wife and calling out the racism when I did. History was repeating itself,” he said. “My mother was chased to her death while she was in a relationship with someone that wasn’t white and now look what’s happened. You want to talk about history repeating itself, they’re not going to stop until she dies.”
Paparazzi chases are pretty rare in NYC. Some are speculating that the British media may have possibily sent people to do this. It’s not too far-fetched.
Before the paparazzi scare, the Duchess of Sussex, wearing a gold JOHANNA ORTIZ Ideal Universe Jacquard midi dress and Tom Ford sandals, accepted the Women of Vision Award during the gala for her life-long advocacy for women and girls.
Listen to some of her acceptance speech below:
Congratulations to Meghan on her well-deserved recognition and achievement of receiving the Women of Vision Award at the gala. However, it is unfortunate that the night was marred by the distressing paparazzi drama, overshadowing what should have been a joyous occasion.
Photos: Getty/Wire/Raymond Hall/GC Images