Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had been in a 'close to catastrophic,' 2-hour automotive chase involving paparazzi, their spokesperson says

• Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Doria Ragland had been chased by paparazzi in New York on Tuesday.
• A spokesperson for the Sussexes mentioned the chase was “close to catastrophic” and lasted over two hours.
• Reporter Omid Scobie reported a supply near the couple mentioned they’re “understandably shaken.”

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, had been in a “close to catastrophic automotive chase” involving paparazzi in New York, a press release from the royal couple’s reps mentioned.

A spokesperson for the couple advised a number of information retailers {that a} “ring of extremely aggressive paparazzi” chased the royals whereas they had been on their method residence from the Ladies of Imaginative and prescient award ceremony on Tuesday night time.

“This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in a number of close to collisions involving different drivers on
the street, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers,” the spokesperson added, in line with a statement shared by royals reporter Omid Scobie.

—Omid Scobie (@scobie) May 17, 2023

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn’t reply to Insider’s requests for remark.

The NYPD mentioned there weren’t any collisions or accidents reported and that they did not make any arrests

The New York Police Division confirmed in a press release to Insider that their officers “assisted the non-public safety group defending” Harry and Meghan on Tuesday night time, however did not corroborate the timing of the incident or collisions.

“There have been quite a few photographers that made their transport difficult,” the NYPD’s deputy commissioner for public info, Julian Phillips, advised Insider. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their vacation spot and there have been no reported collisions, summonses, accidents, or arrests in regard.”

In a subsequent tweet, Scobie had written that paparazzi chasing the Sussexes continued their pursuit of Harry and Meghan regardless of being “confronted by uniformed police.”

“Site visitors violations by the drivers embody driving on a sidewalk, going via purple lights, reversing down a a method avenue, driving whereas photographing and illegally blocking a transferring automobile,” Scobie added.

Unnamed sources advised NBC Information that the couple had traveled up and down the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive for 75 minutes as photographers adopted them earlier than they sought refuge on the NYPD’s nineteenth Precinct on the Higher East Facet.

The Sussexes jumped in a yellow taxi at one level

—HARRY AND MEGHAN (@TerezaMatoukov4) May 17, 2023

Pictures circulating on Twitter seem to point out Meghan, Harry, and Ragland sitting collectively in a yellow taxi later within the night.

In an interview with the Washington Submit, NYC cab driver Sukhcharn Singh mentioned one of many royal couple’s non-public safety guards flagged him close to the NYPD precinct on 67th Avenue, however they circled again after a rubbish truck blocked their path.

Singh mentioned he instantly acknowledged his well-known prospects and noticed paparazzi following them, however advised the Submit he would not name it a “chase.”

The Sussexes ultimately left the precinct and made it again to the place they had been staying unfollowed, sources advised NBC Information.

Scobie added in another tweet {that a} supply near the couple mentioned Harry, Meghan, and Ragland are “understandably shaken however grateful everybody’s secure.”

The night time in Manhattan was Harry and Meghan’s first joint look in 5 months

Harry and Meghan’s outing on the Ladies of Imaginative and prescient awards marked their first official joint look in 5 months. The award ceremony was hosted by the Ms. Basis on the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan.

Each Harry and Ragland had been there to assist Meghan, who was an honoree on the award ceremony.

Whereas accepting the award, which was introduced to her by Ms. Basis co-founder and feminist icon Gloria Steinem, Meghan spoke of how the group continues to encourage her, the Related Press reported.

“It allowed me to acknowledge that a part of my better worth and goal in life was to advocate for individuals who felt unheard, to face as much as injustice, and to not be afraid of claiming what’s true and what’s simply and what’s proper,” Meghan mentioned, in line with the AP.

“It is by no means too late to begin,” Meghan continued. “You might be the visionary of your personal life … There’s nonetheless a lot work to be accomplished.”

Editor’s word: Could 18, 2023 — The headline of this story was up to date to attribute a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who referred to as the incident a “close to catastrophic automotive chase.” The story was additionally up to date with new info and reporting that got here out after publication.