Prince Harry’s spokesman has caused a media storm after releasing a statement saying the Sussexes were involved in a “near-catastrophic” car chase caused by “very aggressive paparazzi” on Tuesday night.
The spokesman said the “relentless pursuit” lasted more than two hours and “resulted in multiple near-collides involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians, and two NYPD (New York Police Department) officers.”
But NYPD and a taxi driver led the group downplayed the severity of the “car chase”.
As different claims emerge, here’s what we know about what happened last night in NYC.
Doria Ragland, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards
The couple present at the ceremony in New York
Chronology of the “relentless pursuit”
The police department said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and her mother Doria Ragland left the Ms Foundation for Women’s annual gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom at around 10pm local time.
It was the couple’s first public appearance since Coronation of the king.
The group wanted to get back to where they were on the Upper East Side, but didn’t want the paparazzi to know where they were going. They were reportedly staying on a friend’s property and wanted to maintain their privacy.
A map of where the Sussexes attended the event
An NYPD vehicle escorted their car across 57th Street and other streets for about an hour and 15 minutes, according to police, in an attempt to lose pursuers.
The Sussexes and Ms. Ragland were escorted to the NYPD’s 19th Precinct building and remained there for approximately 15 minutes.
The couple then got into a different car and arrived at their home without being followed.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Doria Ragland and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex arrive at the ‘Woman Of Vision Awards’
Prince Harry and Meghan leave their prizes before the car chase
Taxi driver: “It’s New York, it’s safe”
A taxi driver who picked up the Sussexes outside the 19th precinct said: “I don’t think I would call it a chase.”
Sukhcharn Singh said The Washington Post who picked up the couple and Mrs Ragland at 11pm and stayed in her car for around 10 minutes.
“I never felt in danger,” Singh said.
“It wasn’t like a car chase in a movie. They were quiet and they looked scared, but it’s New York, that’s for sure.”
However, while the taxi driver’s account downplayed the incident, he added that he may not have seen everything.
Mr Singh also said he got the impression from the Sussexes that they were already being chased by paparazzi before they got into his car.
To know more:
What Harry has already said about the paparazzi
“Impossible not to remember Diana”
Video of the couple before the “car chase”
“No injuries” according to the NYPD, but the mayor warns the press
An NYPD official said there was “a bit of a chaotic scene” before arriving at the 19th Precinct, but downplayed the severity of the chase.
Julian Phillips, the deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department, said officers “assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
He added: “There have been a number of photographers who have made their transportation challenging.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived at their destination and there have been no reports of incidents, summonses, injuries or arrests.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams said he was told two NYPD officers could be injured during the night.
He said: ‘The press or the paparazzi, you know, they want to get the right shot, they want to get the right story.
“But public safety must always be at the forefront.”
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The mayor found it “hard to believe” that it was a two-hour high-speed chase
The mayor added: “In a briefing I received (I heard) two of our officers could have been injured… I don’t think there are many of us who don’t remember how (Harry’s) mum died.
“It would be awful to lose the innocent bystander during a chase like this and something would have happened to them too.”
Adams said he believed the behavior of those following the Sussexes was “reckless and irresponsible”.
He also added, however, that he found it “hard to believe” that the pair’s chase lasted two hours at high speed.
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Reports of ‘irregular driving by paparazzi’
In addition to the police reports, more details have also emerged regarding the alleged behavior of some members of the paparazzi during the “near-catastrophic car chase”.
It was reported that the Duke, Duchess and Mrs Ragland were being followed by half a dozen blacked-out vehicles driven by unidentified people.
The vehicles are said to have driven on sidewalks, passed red lights and reversed down a one-way street.
At least one driver was also said to have been using the phone behind the wheel.
At least one other is said to have photographed while driving.
One of the cars would have illegally blocked a moving vehicle.
Those pursuing the Sussexes were said to have been confronted several times by uniformed police, but they apparently continued their pursuit.
