Following a charitable event in New York, Prince Harry and Meghan found themselves pursued by photographers, a situation deemed potentially perilous by the mayor and the couple's representatives.
This incident drew immediate parallels to the tragic 1997 car accident that claimed the life of Harry's mother, Princess Diana. The NYPD refrained from offering immediate comments or validating the royal couple's account of the incident.
Mayor Eric Adams, although awaiting a comprehensive report, expressed his concern, labeling the chase in the densely populated city as "reckless and irresponsible." He pointed out the potential harm to individuals and even highlighted the risk posed to two NYPD officers who could have been injured.
In a statement from Harry and Meghan's office, the pursuit was described as having "resulted in the risk of multiple crashes involving other drivers on the roadways, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers." They characterized the incident as "almost catastrophic," emphasizing that public figures should not compromise safety for the sake of public interest.
Harry, the youngest son of King Charles III, and Meghan Markle, the former actress, renounced their royal duties in 2020, citing intrusive behavior and racist attitudes from the British media and royal family. Prince Harry has been increasingly critical of the media, attributing his mother's death to an aggressive press and accusing them of harassing Meghan. He is currently involved in legal battles against three British tabloid publishers for alleged phone hacking and other illicit interventions. In 2021, Meghan won an invasion of privacy case against the Daily Mail's publisher.
Concerns for Harry and Meghan's safety heightened when the British government withdrew their protection after they moved to California in 2020. The couple is engaged in multiple legal cases against the government and tabloid press.
The recent incident occurred on the same day Harry's lawyer argued in a London court for the right to challenge a government decision denying him the ability to pay for his own security in the UK. Harry claims his safety was compromised during a visit in July 2021 when his car was chased by photographers.
In the midst of these challenges, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was in New York to receive the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision award. The event marked her first public appearance since missing her father-in-law's coronation earlier this month. The gala initiated the foundation's $100 million fundraising campaign for equity-focused initiatives and women's empowerment.
Videos captured the moment Harry and Meghan left a salon in Manhattan, surrounded by onlookers and photographers. Another video, posted by TMZ, showed the couple in a New York City taxi, surrounded by NYPD escorts. The incident underscores the ongoing struggle the couple faces in the public eye.
