Harry and Meghan’s Request for Paparazzi Photos Denied by Agency on Grounds of US Independence

Harry and Meghan won’t get their hands on paparazzi photos taken during their chase in New York. This Tuesday, May 16, the couple and Doria Ragland (Meghan Markle’s mother) were chased by photographers after attending the Women of Vision Awards ceremony. In the process, the Sussexes denounced a pursuit “almost catastrophic” in a press release. They then claimed the photos from Backgrid in a letter sent to the agency by their lawyers and relayed by Sky News this Friday, May 19: “We require Backgrid to immediately provide us with copies of all photosvideos or films made last night by the independent photographers after the couple left their event”they wrote.

However, the latter categorically refused to accede to the request of Harry and Meghaninvoking the history of the independence of the United States. “In America, as you must know, property belongs to its owner: third parties cannot request that they be provided to themas no doubt kings can”, replied the lawyer for Backgrid. According to information relayed by The Sunthe latter then invited the Sussex defense to remind his client “that his English royal prerogatives, according to which he requires citizens to donate their property to the Crown, were rejected by this country a long time ago. We remain faithful to our Founding Fathers”. This statement refers to when George III, ancestor of Harry, lost his colonies during the American Revolutionary War.

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Several versions

According to information from the New York police, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and no collisionsummons, injury or arrest has been reported”. An official version undermining the statement of the couple who spoke of “a group of very aggressive paparazzi”. Added to the remarks of the local authorities, the testimony of their taxi driver could also further discredit the Sussex spouses. In an interview given to The Washington PostSukcharn Singh, who carried Meghan and Harry to the end of their chase – for about ten minutes –, said he did not feel insecure before admitting to witnessing the couple’s nervousness : “I felt like usual but I’m sure, for them, it was more intense”he told the Reuters news agency, comments relayed by TF1 Info. A clarification that could make you think of the tragic fate of Lady Dianawho died in a car accident in Paris in 1997 while trying to escape photographers.

Article written in collaboration with 6Medias.

Photo credits: PA Photos/ABACA