The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 8: April - August 2023

[kalnel]

The paparazzi stuff makes me recall an interview with Prince Albert of Monaco years ago -- probably in the 90s -- when he said if you simply stand still, smile, and let them take the picture, they're done. But, if you engage, try to run, and make a scene, they'll try to provoke you. (Sounds like dealing with bees!)

 

[Heavs]

First of all I'm glad no one was hurt.

I've been to NYC and 2 hour "high speed chases" as described by their spokesperson just aren't possible except in action films.

It seems that there may have been an incident but that it was far from the hysterics and hyperbole of the press release. Theoretically anyone can have a "near catastrophic" moment if they forget to look both ways and have to jump back to avoid a car. I get wanting to keep where you are staying private but there's no need to drive around for ages for that to happen in NYC of all places where A listers are ignored by the populace.

The NYPD states that "there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests in regard." This doesn't mean that there weren't any, just that they weren't reported on. If a paparazzi got injury due to aggressive tactics, they would be disinclined to report as it might lead to legal liability on their part. Regardless, however, this lines up with TRH The Sussexes own statement about "near catastrophic car chase" and "near collisions."

If what the initial press release claimed was true then *multiple* people would have called it in. You wouldn't even have to have the people directly involved, which allegedly included NYPD officers make a report, they'd have been calling 911 and so would onlookers, hell it would have been on the news before a press release two days later.

Or you know many people would have uploaded camera phone footage as we regularly see at anything shocking like this or any event involving royals or celebrities.

They may very well have been scared, upset, anxious and paranoid etc about what might happen but yes it seems like they may well have blown it out of proportion *as they have before* in the documentary and after the Diana statue unveiling where 1 person is taking a photo and Harry turned it into a chase along the roads of London in the middle of the afternoon.

I hope that they keep safe, get effective therapy and wear seatbelts.

It will be interesting to see what the verdict on his security case due any moment is.

 

[kalnel]

The NYPD states that "there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests in regard." This doesn't mean that there weren't any, just that they weren't reported on. If a paparazzi got injury due to aggressive tactics, they would be disinclined to report as it might lead to legal liability on their part. Regardless, however, this lines up with TRH The Sussexes own statement about "near catastrophic car chase" and "near collisions."

Many may say that TRH The Sussexes are blowing this out-of-proportion, but the NYPD, who I'm pretty sure does not give every famous person in New York City personal protection (as that would be a tall order), felt that the situation called for their assistance.

Well, no... The Sussex statement about "near catastrophic car chase" is over the top. *Anything* could be "near catastrophic, depending on your perspective.

And, the police have not confirmed a "car chase."

 

[moby]

Like I mentioned on another topic relating to the couple, their public statements are not designed to be factual but to be loosely based on facts in order for the media and the internet to talk about them. In that case they’ve succeeded. If they were concerned about being factual, they wouldn’t say “car chase”, for example, because if that can be easily disproven. There are lots of traffic cameras, so I hope there’s a record of the incident but no one got arrested. Did anybody even get a speeding ticket? What kind of a car chase is that if everyone seemingly stayed below the speed limit in Manhattan, which is what—30, 40kph? LOL.

Also, I understand the need to avoid the paparazzi but it is absolutely irresponsible for the Sussex driver and or security to respond to the situation in a way that could have endangered bystanders and the people they’re supposedly protecting. And for this to happen supposedly for over 2 hours? While all this was happening, what were the instructions of the Sussexes to their driver? Step on the gas and evade the paps? This isn’t a Hollywood movie where they’re being chased by people with guns, just a bunch of photographers. Scary, yes, but it boggles the mind how a car chase could have happened. Make it make sense.

 

[Mbruno]

Many may say that TRH The Sussexes are blowing this out-of-proportion, but the NYPD, who I'm pretty sure does not give every famous person in New York City personal protection (as that would be a tall order), felt that the situation called for their assistance.

I am questioning exactly why the Sussexes were offered NYPD personal protection (prior to the chase) when they are no longer internationally protected persons, nor hold any public office, and there was apparently no known credible threat to them. Does the NYPD frequently offer personal protection or an escort to private celebrities?

As I don't live in NYC, I don't know the answer.

 

[Toledo]

My first thought they claim it was a two-hour car chase in New York City?!?! Have they ever been in NYC? There is no room to do a car chase, maybe a bicycle or skateboard chase and you won't get past the next traffic light before being hit by an army of taxi cabs or pedestrians.

I need to see the video on their claims, here in NY, especially in post 9/11 NYC, there are cameras everywhere. Can't wait for Meghan and Harry doing a recreation of the moment, with her looking back from the back seat and telling the driver they are being chased...and the driver responding, "Madam, that's the green traffic light"


NYPD Dismisses Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Account of Paparazzi Chase: ‘Nothing Happened, It’s a Bogus Story’

May 17, 2023
2:48 PM

Excerpt:
"Skeptics, including New York City mayor Eric Adams, are throwing doubt on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s account of Tuesday night’s “highly aggressive” two-hour paparazzi car chase that, they said, left them fearing for their lives and that of Meghan’s other, Doria Ragland.
An official statement from the NYPD downplayed the May 16 incident, saying merely that “numerous photographers… made their transport challenging,” but emphasized, “there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests.”


NYC officials downplay Prince Harry, Meghan Markle ‘car chase’

Excerpt:
05/17/23 3:39 PM ET

They described the incident as a “relentless pursuit” that lasted more than two hours and “resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD [New York Police Department] officers.”

Taxi driver Sukhcharn Singh, who says he picked the prince and duchess up in New York Tuesday night, told the Washington Post said it did appear they were followed by other vehicles during the drive, and that they were being filmed and photographed.

“I don’t think I would call it a chase,” Singh told the Post, estimating the trip took about 10 minutes. “I never felt like I was in danger. It wasn’t like a car chase in a movie. They were quiet and seemed scared but it’s New York — it’s safe.”

 

[ACO]

The cab driver who picked them up from the police station was on Piers Morgan’s show.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1658918566811279361

He wasn’t involved with anything that happened prior.

 

[Alison H]

This whole thing is weird. According to the Sussexes, people were driving at high speed, jumping red lights, driving on pavements, using phones and cameras whilst driving, and going the wrong way down one way streets, which surely would be police matters. So have they made it all up?!

 

[FigTree]

So basically they go on a visit for old mental health day or whatever and they cannot pay the media to pick it up…given they paid a photographer.

Then low and behold a hyperbolic statement about an interaction with the paps gets them on the front of every newspaper everywhere.


The media following anyone is unacceptable BUT the question is whether it was dangerous. That’s another issue.

 

[Springbee]

This whole thing is weird. According to the Sussexes, people were driving at high speed, jumping red lights, driving on pavements, using phones and cameras whilst driving, and going the wrong way down one way streets, which surely would be police matters. So have they made it all up?!

In NYC if all that happened it we would have seen the videos from it before the Sussexes had even issued a statement.

 

[Toledo]

This whole thing is weird. According to the Sussexes, people were driving at high speed, jumping red lights, driving on pavements, using phones and cameras whilst driving, and going the wrong way down one way streets, which surely would be police matters. So have they made it all up?!

I'm in NY watching the afternoon news and there is no ...people were driving at high speed, jumping red lights, driving on pavements... stories about it. Nothing.

 

[kimebear]

Many may say that TRH The Sussexes are blowing this out-of-proportion, but the NYPD, who I'm pretty sure does not give every famous person in New York City personal protection (as that would be a tall order), felt that the situation called for their assistance.

If the NYPD was called to respond and assist with a possible threatening situation, especially to a high profile couple like H&M, they would be obligated to respond appropriately whether or not they agreed with it. Both for legal and PR reasons.

 

[Heavs]

This whole thing is weird. According to the Sussexes, people were driving at high speed, jumping red lights, driving on pavements, using phones and cameras whilst driving, and going the wrong way down one way streets, which surely would be police matters. So have they made it all up?!

It seems that at the very least they went with a highly "sexed up" version of events. It seems that there were some people taking photographs which probably panicked Harry (see their paranoid reactions to one person behind them at other times). But that a lot is "their truth" rather than "factual truth".

The NYPD were giving them a courtesy escort, no way would they or any other police department let a "chase" in that situation go on for hours, especially one that their spokesperson claimed was highly dangerous to officers and pedestrians as well as his clients. They'd call everyone out including a chopper.

If it went down as their press release claimed it did then it would have made the news that night rather than a press release over a day after the fact. There would be footage confirming a "high speed chase" in Manhattan of all place. It would make international headlines immediately with camera phone footage and interviews with pedestrians on sidewalks who narrowly avoided getting hit. It would be a very mini version of the plane on the Hudson.

They did spend time in a police precinct and apparently drove around a lot but that was all voluntary.

Again, I'm glad no one was hurt and I get that any Harry finds people taking photos of him in a car triggering, but whilst they aren't necessarily making it up wholesale (people did take pictures) perhaps the actual facts are different to the Sussexes' worst case scenario release. Which they have done before at the statue unveiling, WellChild Awards and in the docu series.

 

[fandesacs2003]

They'd be safer and have more privacy if they stayed in the kind of hotel that hosts VIPs all the time. It's sad if you can't stay with a friend but that's probably a price of fame.

Same if applies for late Princess Diana. If she had stayed at the Ritz this night..she would be still alive.

Sent from my SM-A426B using The Royals Community mobile app

 

[SirGyamfi1]

Their spokesperson (pet supporter) Omid has tweeted that no one from the BRF has spoken since the news came out some hours ago. Messy

 

[Toledo]

It seems that at the very least they went with a highly "sexed up" version of events. It seems that there were some people taking photographs which probably panicked Harry (see their paranoid reactions to one person behind them at other times). But that a lot is "their truth" rather than "factual truth".

The NYPD were giving them a courtesy escort, no way would they or any other police department let a "chase" in that situation go on for hours, especially one that their spokesperson claimed was highly dangerous to officers and pedestrians as well as his clients.

If it went down as their press release claimed it did then it would have made the news that night rather than a press release over a day after the fact. There would be footage confirming a "high speed chase" in Manhattan of all place. It would make international headlines immediately with camera phone footage and interviews with pedestrians on sidewalks who narrowly avoided getting hit. It would be a mini version of the plane on the Hudson.

They did spend time in a police precinct and apparently drove around a lot but that was all voluntary.

Again, I'm glad no one was hurt and I get that any Harry finds people taking photos of him in a car triggering, but whilst they aren't necessarily making it up wholesale (people did take pictures) perhaps the actual facts are different to the Sussexes' worst case scenario.

CNN right now is showing the video from last night right now. Between the entitlement and the need to get attention as victims is getting out of hand. Per CNN the New York Police (NYPD) and the driver stated there was no high-speed chase. And per CNN, the Sussex representatives don't want the videos to be shared to the public. The NYPD would have arrested every reporter and car driver on the scene if they put people's lives at risk.

 

[kalnel]

Their spokesperson (pet supporter) Omid has tweeted that no one from the BRF has spoken since the news came out some hours ago. Messy

Why would the Palace comment? Based on the police report, there's nothing to say, especially about former royal family members. I don't blame them a bit for not commenting.

Besides, if they say anything, Harry's attorneys will try to use it in the court case where he's challenging his lack of security.

 

[FigTree]

It’s all so unsavoury.

Ironically given all they have said, the fact that this is actually disputable makes them look just dodgy.

I guess they never learnt because they were attacking the royals and they say nothing.

 

[Alison H]

Their spokesperson (pet supporter) Omid has tweeted that no one from the BRF has spoken since the news came out some hours ago. Messy

What does he expect them to say? Does he think Buckingham Palace is responsible for controlling the traffic in New York?

 

[Prinsara]

Their spokesperson (pet supporter) Omid has tweeted that no one from the BRF has spoken since the news came out some hours ago. Messy

Why should the BRF get involved? Everyone is safe. No one was hurt. It's Meghan and Harry's private business and nothing to do with the UK, let alone Harry's relatives.

Especially if it turns out "recollections may vary". Why would they want to say anything (and make it "messier")?

 

[Toledo]

If you check twitter on the latest news tab, the people around the area last night are starting to post their cell phone videos.

They show a lot of flash photography around the taxicab that is followed by courtesy police cars. One security person got out of the car and warned the photographer to get away from the car and they did. The police then used sirens and megaphones to get the pedestrian paparazzies to get out of the street as the light turned green and they keep on traveling.

Do remember, this is NYC we are discussing. Paparazzi photographers are everywhere near places where celebrities go to dine, entertain etc. They are not following them but if one warns the Montecitos are in town and the proximity, like ants they will congregate on that spot. And there's the NYPD in every corner so reporters know they get out of hand and disturb the public they get arrested.

The driver stated he is used to have celebrity passengers and the couple was nervous because of the photographers.

 

[Heavs]

CNN right now is showing the video from last night right now. Between the entitlement and the need to get attention as victims is getting out of hand. Per CNN the New York Police (NYPD) and the driver stated there was no high-speed chase. And per CNN, the Sussex representatives don't want the videos to be shared to the public. The NYPD would have arrested every reporter and car driver on the scene if they put people's lives at risk.

I haven't seen the video but I have seen it described. If it had showed photographers recklessly endangering lives of the public and police they'd want to broadcast it to the world.

Their spokesperson (pet supporter) Omid has tweeted that no one from the BRF has spoken since the news came out some hours ago. Messy

The BRF is not going to comment on an incident where no one was injured in NYC where the Mayor and NYPD have already issued statements. If no one has contacted them (the Sussexes) directly it is probably because everyone was fine and they don't publicly comment on Sussex stories. And any private comment would be used as fodder for the next round of complaints. As will this but it's better to say nothing unfortunately.

 

[ladongas]

Did anyone actually say high speed chase? It sounds more like that they were in the midst of a number of following vehicles (bikes, scooters, etc) and going at the usual pace for city traffic.

Or is it just more interesting to believe that Harry and Meghan and Doria totally made something up to attract attention? More film and photos will emerge eventually.

 

[Biset]

I only lived in NYC for three months but i find it hard to believe you could have a car chase for 2 hours. This isn’t Los Angeles.

Edit: https://www.thewrap.com/nypd-officer-prince-harry-meghan-car-chase-bogus/ Hmm.

“ However, a duty officer at NYPD’s 18th precinct, who declined to be named, told TheWrap, “Nothing happened. It’s a bogus story. Don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers.” The 18th precinct is at 306 West 54th Street, the closest to where the chase took place.”

 

[Toledo]

Did anyone actually say high speed chase? It sounds more like that they were in the midst of a number of following vehicles (bikes, scooters, etc) and going at the usual pace for city traffic.

Or is it just more interesting to believe that Harry and Meghan and Doria totally made something up to attract attention? More film and photos will emerge eventually.

In NYC the high-speed chases only take you from one traffic light to the next one. ?
There is no room to move and if you cross the street, you better do it on the crossing light because any vehicle, car or bicycle, will hit you in the blink of an eye. The photographers were the ones more at risk of being clipped by cars themselves for walking on the street with moving vehicles around them.

 

[tommy100]

yes i'm sorry to say but does anyone really think if the police provided a car to tail them and they stopped at two police stations but were allowed to leave on their own in a taxi that the NYPD really felt there was an extreme risk? If half of what is suggested took place people would have been arrested and at least held for a short time while it was looked into.

Yes they got chased by paparazzi, yes that isn't pleasant, yes it probably isn't safe and yes, given Harry's mother's death it probably was uncomfortable for him 'emotionally' but was it half as bad as they made out? Doesn't seem it. I'm sure NY is likely full of paps chasing cars with celebs in, I've certainly seen enough videos of it happening.

TBH I feel quite uncomfortable with the way it was handled by their team, if they did drive at high speed to try to avoid the paps, why? That is hugely dangerous, just to get away? The stories all seem to suggest H&M didn't want the paparazzi to know where they were staying so led them on a 2 hour drive around to try and ditch them. The paparazzi are annoying but taunting them, putting yourself in a dangerous situation to avoid them or outrun them seems crazy to me. Better to get out the car and walk than drive at high speeds (if indeed it happened) in a busy city. I know I'd rather have my pic taken walking away then something much much worse at the end of a high speed chase. Or I'd just have got into the house as quick as a possible closed the curtains and called the cops and if that meant appearing outside on the steps for a quick photo to be left in peace, so be it.

That doesn't excuse the paparazzi at all, but I'd think most people would rather give them a picture (it was leaving a public event after all not a private shopping trip etc) than be involved in something dangerous.

 

[Silverpot]

I'm wondering, if there was such an abundance of paparazzi about, there should also be lots and lots of pics taken by them, right? Have anybody seen any of these pics? Where would they be published? Are there still established papers that buy these kind of photos?

I thought this business were rather dormant nowadays.

 

[FigTree]

I'm wondering, if there was such an abundance of paparazzi about, there should also be lots and lots of pics taken by them, right? Have anybody seen any of these pics? Where would they be published? Are there still established papers that buy these kind of photos?

I thought this business were rather dormant nowadays.

Certainly in the UK and a lot of Western European countries it’s pretty much dead in the water. America still seems bad enough.

But again I don’t think this was it.

I wouldn’t have gone to the awards show if all this was so triggering.

 

[Biset]

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/...ighly-aggressive-paparazzi-car-chase-99391446

Another article that denies their version of events.

 

[southwind]

A car chase for 2 hours while being followed by paparazzis but not a single video of the chase and being so concern about their lifes but noone using seatbelts...

Funny how we barely saw her during jan-feb, but since the coronation (and Kate's shiny weeks) she's everywhere ''followed''.