Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, found themselves in an "almost catastrophic" situation as paparazzi cars engaged in a two-hour chase through the streets of New York.
The couple's spokesperson reported that Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, was also in the vehicle during the intense pursuit, which occurred on the night of Wednesday, May 17.
In a statement, the spokesperson expressed concern over the relentless pursuit, noting that the chase resulted in numerous near-collisions involving other drivers, pedestrians, and even two officers from the New York Police Department. The incident unfolded after the royal couple attended an awards ceremony organized by the Ms. Foundation for Women in New York, where Meghan Markle was honored for her contributions.
According to TMZ, at one point during the chase, the couple and Doria stopped their van and boarded a taxi to evade the paparazzi. Images captured by the celebrity-focused American media showed the police escorting the trio in an attempt to outsmart the persistent photographers.
The incident inevitably draws parallels to the tragic fate of Princess Diana of Wales, Prince Harry's mother. On August 31, 1997, in Paris, Diana's attempt to escape the press resulted in a fatal car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. Reflecting on that traumatic event in his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry disclosed his desire to cross the tunnel at the exact speed of 104 kilometers per hour, refuting the press's initial claim of 160 kilometers per hour at the time of the accident.
Recounting the moments leading to the tragic incident, Prince Harry vividly described the drive through the tunnel, emphasizing the relative insignificance of the bump that supposedly caused the car to deviate. The Duke of Sussex concluded with a somber reflection on the fleeting nature of the tunnel, expressing a sense of relief upon emerging on the other side.
