Additional details from Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Doria Ragland’s “near-catastrophic” paparazzi chase are coming to light.
The New York Police Department released a statement Wednesday about the incident, saying they “assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex” after the couple left the Women of Vision Awards in an SUV around 10 p.m. Tuesday.
“There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging,” a police spokesperson recalled of the ordeal.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination, and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests in regard.”
The royals’ spokesperson previously told Page Six that the “relentless pursuit” lasted more than two hours and resulted in “multiple near collisions” with drivers, pedestrians and two NYPD officers.
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Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the latter in a press conference Wednesday, saying that, according to a briefing he received, two NYPD officers “could have been injured.”
He went on to remind viewers of the manner of Princess Diana’s 1997 death after a car chase and subsequent crash in Paris.
“I don’t think there are many of us who don’t recall how [Harry’s] mom died. It would be horrific to lose innocent bystanders during a chase like this and [for] something to have happened to them as well,” Adams said.
“It’s clear that the paparazzi want to get the right shot, they want to get the right story, but public safety must always be at the forefront,” he added, noting that Manhattan is not a “small town” and should not have “speeding anywhere” due to its “dense” population.
Amid the scary pursuit, Harry, 38, Markle, 41, and her mom, 66, were brought to the 19th Precinct, where they remained for 15 minutes, law enforcement sources told NBC News.
The insiders claimed that with the help of police, the trio were then brought to a taxi and safely escorted to their Upper East Side destination without being followed.
The California residents all remain in New York City after the harrowing occurrence, a source told Page Six, noting that they are all “still upset, to say the least.”
It is unclear when the family members will return home.