Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were involved in a “near catastrophic car chase” with paparazzi in New York City on Tuesday night, their spokesperson said.
“This relentless pursuit, which lasted more than two hours, resulted in multiple near misses involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers,” the spokesperson said.
The pursuit was “at the hands of a highly aggressive paparazzi ring,” according to the statement.
The couple was in New York for the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision, which they attended with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Harry’s spokesman said Ragland was also with them during the chase.
MEGA/GC images via Getty Images
“Turned on [Tuesday] on the evening of May 16, the NYPD assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” the police department said in a statement. CBS New York. “There were numerous photographers who made their transport a challenge. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, citations, injuries or arrests.”
Harry’s mother, Princess Dianashe died in a tragic car accident in 1997 when paparazzi were chasing a car carrying her and her boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed, through the streets of Paris.
New York Mayor Eric Adams commented to the pursuit Wednesday, calling it “reckless and irresponsible.”
“I don’t think there are many of us who don’t remember how her mother died,” Adams said, adding that it would be “horrible” to lose an innocent bystander during a chase like this, or if something happened to her. Harry and Meghan.
Adams did not provide details about the incident and said he will be briefed in depth later Wednesday.
The incident in New York comes after a the suspect was arrested at the couple’s home in Montecito around 2 a.m. Monday. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Kevin Garcia Valdovinos, was arrested by a citizen by a staff member near the home’s service entrance, a Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office spokesman said in CBS News.
The police arrived and he was charged with harassment. He was booked into jail and released on $2,500 bond, the spokesman said.
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