Britain’s Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and her mother were involved in a “near-catastrophic car chase” involving paparazzi, a spokesman for the couple said, as quoted by the BBC on Wednesday.
The incident happened after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards in New York on Tuesday. According to a spokesman for the prince, the “relentless chase” lasted more than two hours and the cars almost collided.
In a statement, the New York Police Department confirmed that many photographers had made getting around Harry, Meghan and her mother a challenge. No injuries or arrests were reported. Buckingham Palace has yet to comment.
The prince was allegedly chased by half a dozen cars, with reckless driving including running red lights, driving on the pavement, making blocking moves and reversing down a one-way street – as well as taking pictures while driving.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams called the incident reckless and irresponsible and told reporters that two police officers could have been injured.
Attending the awards was the couple’s first public appearance together since the King’s coronation earlier this month. Megan was honored at the event. The couple was accompanied by Meghan’s mother – Doria Ragland.
According to the BBC, the couple was staying with a friend in New York and did not return there directly, so as not to compromise their security. Harry and Meghan use private security in the US.
Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, was killed on August 1, 1997 in a car accident while she and her friend Dodi Al Fayette were being chased by paparazzi.