Prince Harry, Meghan Were In A 'Near Catastrophic Car Chase' With Paparazzi In New York: Reports

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, found themselves in a distressing situation during a car chase by aggressive paparazzi, which they described as a "near catastrophic" incident.?

According to the couple and law enforcement sources, in a dramatic turn of events, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, sought refuge at a New York City police station amid a frantic chase by photographers.

As per multiple media reports, Harry and Meghan found themselves in a distressing situation during a car chase by aggressive paparazzi, which they described as a "near catastrophic" incident.

Following their departure from a charitable event in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday night, the couple, accompanied by Meghan's mother, found themselves relentlessly pursued by a swarm of photographers.

The chaotic pursuit prompted Prince Harry and Meghan to take swift action, seeking the safety and protection offered by a nearby police station. This sudden turn of events sheds light on the challenges faced by high-profile individuals and the invasive nature of paparazzi culture.

Law enforcement sources revealed that the couple stayed overnight on Manhattan's Upper East Side and took precautions to keep their location secret from photographers.

"This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers,"?a spokesperson for the couple said in a statement.

Harry and Meghan/Twitter

The photographers followed Prince Harry and Meghan for approximately 75 minutes along the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive, the main road on Manhattan's East Side.

The couple and Meghan's mother sought refuge at the NYPD's 19th Precinct station house on East 67th Street for safety and respite. After about 15 minutes, they left the station in a different car, successfully evading any further pursuit.

Although law enforcement sources downplayed the incident's seriousness while acknowledging its chaotic nature, they did confirm that numerous photographers caused difficulties for the couple's ride.

Julian Phillips, the NYPD's deputy commissioner of public information, stated that officers assisted the private security team responsible for protecting Prince Harry and Meghan.?

He emphasised?that no collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests occurred during their transport.

The car chase occurred after the couple attended the Women of Vision Awards at New York's Ziegfeld Ballroom. This marked their first public appearance since King Charles III's coronation, which Meghan did not attend.

The incident brought back memories of Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997 when paparazzi were after her in Paris.

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The Internet was shocked after reading reports of the car chase.

In their statement, Prince Harry and Meghan emphasised?that while being public figures invites public interest, safety should never be compromised. Since stepping down as senior royals and relocating to California, the couple has voiced their concerns about media intrusion and its detrimental impact on their mental well-being.

AP

Harry has expressed fears of history repeating itself, with his wife enduring the same intense scrutiny that Princess Diana faced.

Harry and Meghan have taken legal action to protect their privacy, winning privacy cases against various media outlets.

Twitter

Additionally, Harry has accused newspapers of employing unlawful methods to target him and his family. He is currently seeking to challenge the British government's decision to remove his specialist police protection while he is in the UK.

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