In an incident that echoes a dark chapter from the royal family’s past, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, along with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, found themselves in a harrowing situation on the streets of New York City. Documents linked to Prince Harry’s legal battle for police security in the UK revealed a letter from the NYPD, dated December 6, 2023, detailing a “near catastrophic car chase” involving the couple and aggressive paparazzi on May 16, 2023.
The chase unfolded after the trio attended the Ms. Foundation 2023 Women of Vision Awards, where Meghan was honored. The NYPD’s Chief of Intelligence described the paparazzi’s behavior as “reckless,” with violations of traffic laws and dangerously aggressive actions that forced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s security team, which included an NYPD Lead Car, to take evasive maneuvers. The letter confirmed that the paparazzi’s antics were severe enough to consider arrests for reckless endangerment, though no arrests have been made to date.
This episode led to a reevaluation of the security measures for the royal couple during their visits to New York City, signaling adjustments for future trips. The incident not only endangered the Sussexes and Ms. Ragland but also other drivers, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers, highlighting the potential for disaster in the pursuit of celebrity photographs.
The event has drawn comparisons to the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997, who died in a car crash in Paris while being chased by paparazzi. Senior police officer David Douglas, involved in the investigation into Diana’s death, reflected on the chain of events that lead to such tragedies, emphasizing the critical difference that seatbelts could have made in Diana’s case.
Prince Harry’s concerns for his family’s safety have been a significant factor in his decisions regarding their public life, including their move to California and stepping back from official royal duties in 2020. Despite his efforts to secure police protection while in the UK, a High Court judge upheld the decision by the UK government and the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) to downgrade his security, leaving Harry and his family to navigate these challenges as they strive to balance public interest with personal safety.
