In a recent turn of events, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, found themselves at the center of a media frenzy following an incident in Midtown Manhattan. Initially described as a near-catastrophic car chase involving aggressive paparazzi, the situation has since revealed a more complex narrative. The incident sheds light on the couple’s struggle with fame, their strained relationship with the Crown, and their relentless efforts to avoid the invasive lenses of the paparazzi.
The ordeal unfolded on a Tuesday evening when the royal couple, accompanied by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, attended the Women of Vision awards at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Concerned about being followed by the paparazzi, the family opted for a private security vehicle with a police escort to return to their residence on the Upper East Side.
Despite attempts to lose their pursuers, the paparazzi continued their relentless pursuit throughout the city. Eventually, the couple sought refuge at the 19th police precinct on the Upper East Side. Around 11 p.m., they hailed a taxi, driven by Sukhcharn Singh, outside the precinct.
However, their respite was short-lived as paparazzi quickly closed in on them. While momentarily stuck behind a garbage truck, the photographers emerged, snapping pictures and heightening the couple’s anxiety. Alerted to the situation, their security guard directed Singh to return to the precinct.
After regrouping at the precinct, they resumed their journey in the same black S.U.V. with a police escort, successfully evading the paparazzi. The New York Police Department confirmed its involvement, acknowledging the challenges faced by the couple’s security team during transportation. However, the incident did not result in any collisions, injuries, summonses, or arrests.
Though initially described as a car chase, further accounts from the police and the taxi driver emphasized the absence of a high-speed pursuit. Singh, who drove them for a shorter distance, hesitated to use the term “chase” and stated that he did not feel threatened. The NYPD spokesperson also refrained from labeling it as a chase, acknowledging the presence of numerous photographers that complicated transportation.
#HarryandMeghan don’t look traumatised, anxious, worried, concerned … and no seatbelts, yes?#Harry not too traumatised. p
Phone out, with a steady hand, recording it, phone tilted for wide-screen playback. The look on #Meghan‘s face:one of financial contentment?#MeghanMarkIe https://t.co/iTaouAtbDd— Tony TC ☕🍩🏎🚘 🇦🇺 🇦🇺 (@TonyC1963) May 18, 2023
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, speaking at an unrelated news conference, criticized the incident as reckless and irresponsible. While the details are yet to be fully confirmed, the Mayor emphasized the importance of public safety and acknowledged the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.