Doria Ragland, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 16, 2023.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty
Kevin Mazur/Getty
New details are emerging onMeghan MarkleandPrince Harry’s “near catastrophic car chaseat the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi” in New York City last year.
The NYPD has not yet arrested anyone in connection with the incident.
The NYPD also said that there would be changes in security provided to Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, on future visits to the city following the May incident. The couple returned to the city in October forevents surrounding World Mental Health Day.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in New York City in Dec. 2022.Mike Coppola/Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala
The day after the Ms. Foundation 2023 Women of Vision Awards, where Meghan was honored and gave a speech, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement to PEOPLE, “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. 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,” the spokesperson added.
The NYPD said in a statement said in a statement at the time, “On Wednesday 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.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 16, 2023.Getty Images
Getty Images
Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, died in a 1997 car crash in Paris that also involved photographers pursuing her vehicle.
Host Ranvir Singh asked if it was the combination of no seatbelts, paparazzi chasing the car and the driver having some drinks.
“When you look at most incidents, accidents, you find there’s a chain of events, and if any one of those chain of events had been different, it might not have led to that happening,” Douglas said. “For example, if they’d been wearing seatbelts, our experts tell us it was probably an 80% chance that they would have survived the accident.”
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Prince Harry attends court on June 7, 2023.Neil Mockford/GC Images
Neil Mockford/GC Images
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Prince Harrylost his legal challenge to have police security in the U.K.
The Duke of Sussex argued that he should have automatic protection for himself and his family whenever they visit the U.K. from their home in California after the U.K. authorities stripped away the right in February 2020, shortly after he and Meghan stepped back from official royal duties.
In a statement in December, Harry said he “felt forced” tostep back from his royal roleand leave the U.K. in 2020, citing security concerns for his family including their two children, sonPrince Archie, 4, andPrincess Lilibet, 2.
source: people.com
