What we know so far as police in New York play down Harry and Meghan ‘pursuit’ | US News

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Prince Harry’s spokesperson sparked a media storm after releasing a press release saying the Sussexes had been concerned in a “close to catastrophic” automobile chase that was attributable to “extremely aggressive paparazzi” on Tuesday night.

The spokesperson mentioned the “relentless pursuit” lasted more than two hours and “resulted in a number of close to collisions involving different drivers on the highway, pedestrians and two NYPD (New York Police Division) officers”.

However the NYPD and a taxi driver who drove the group downplayed the severity of the “car chase”.

As completely different claims emerge, here is what we learn about what occurred final night time in New York.

Doria Ragland, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex attend the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards
Picture:
Doria Ragland, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex attend the Ms. Basis Girls of Imaginative and prescient Awards
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Duke of Sussex Prince Harry attend the ceremony, which benefits the Ms. Foundation for Women and feminist movements, in New York
Picture:
The couple attending the ceremony in New York

Timeline of ‘relentless pursuit’

The police division mentioned the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and her mom Doria Ragland left the Ms Basis for Girls’s annual gala on the Ziegfeld Ballroom at round 10pm native time.

It was the couple’s first public look because the King’s coronation.

Extra on Duchess Of Sussex

The group wished to return to the place they had been staying on the Higher East Aspect however did not need paparazzi to know the place they had been going. They had been reportedly staying at a pal’s property and wished to take care of their privateness.

Picture:
A map of the place the Sussexes attended the occasion

One NYPD automobile escorted their automobile throughout 57th Avenue and different streets for round one hour and quarter-hour, in line with police, in a bid to lose pursuers.

The Sussexes and Ms Ragland had been pushed to the NYPD’s nineteenth precinct constructing and stayed there for round quarter-hour.

The couple then obtained into a distinct automobile and obtained to their residence with out being adopted.

 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Doria Ragland and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, are seen arriving to the "Woman Of Vision Awards"
Picture:
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Doria Ragland and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, are seen arriving to the “Lady Of Imaginative and prescient Awards”
Prince Harry and Meghan leave awards before car chase
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Prince Harry and Meghan depart awards earlier than automobile chase

Taxi driver: ‘It is New York – it is secure’

A taxi driver who picked up the Sussexes exterior the nineteenth precinct mentioned: “I do not assume I’d name it a chase.”

Sukhcharn Singh advised The Washington Post that he picked up the couple and Ms Ragland at 11pm and had been in his automobile for round 10 minutes.

“I by no means felt like I used to be at risk,” Mr Singh mentioned.

“It wasn’t like a automobile chase in a film. They had been quiet and appeared scared nevertheless it’s New York – it is secure.”

Nevertheless, though the taxi driver’s account performs down the incident, he did add he won’t have seen the whole lot.

Mr Singh additionally mentioned he obtained the impression from the Sussexes that they’d already been pursued by paparazzi earlier than they obtained in his automobile.

Learn extra:
What Harry has said about paparazzi before
‘Impossible not to be reminded of Diana’
Video of couple before ‘car chase’

‘No accidents’ in line with NYPD – however mayor warns press

An NYPD official mentioned previous to arriving on the nineteenth precinct, there was “a little bit of a chaotic scene” however downplayed the severity of the chase.

Julian Phillips, the deputy commissioner of the New York Police Division, has mentioned officers “assisted the non-public safety group defending the Duke and Duchess of Sussex”.

He added: “There have been quite a few photographers that made their transport difficult.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their vacation spot and there have been no reported collisions, summonses, accidents, or arrests in regard.”

New York’s mayor Eric Adams mentioned he was advised two NYPD officers may have been injured on the night time, nevertheless.

He mentioned: “The press or paparazzi, you understand, they wish to get the suitable shot, they wish to get the suitable story.

“However public security should at all times be on the forefront.”

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Mayor discovered it ‘onerous to imagine’ it was a two-hour high-speed chase

The mayor added: “In a briefing I acquired (I heard) two of our officers may have been injured… I do not assume there’s many people who do not recall how (Harry’s) mum died.

“It might be horrific to lose the harmless bystander throughout a chase like this and one thing to have occurred to them as properly.”

Mr Adams mentioned he believes the behaviour of these following the Sussexes was “reckless and irresponsible”.

He additionally added, nevertheless, that he discovered it “onerous to imagine” the pursuit of the couple lasted two hours at excessive speeds.

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Experiences of ‘erratic driving by paparazzi’

In addition to the police accounts, extra particulars have additionally emerged in regards to the alleged behaviour of some members of the paparazzi throughout the “close to catastrophic automobile chase”.

It was reported that the duke, duchess and Ms Ragland had been adopted by half a dozen blacked-out automobiles which had been being pushed by unidentified individuals.

The automobiles are mentioned to have pushed on pavements, jumped purple lights and reversed down a one-way avenue.

It has additionally been mentioned at the least one driver was utilizing their telephone behind the wheel.

Not less than one different is reported to have been photographing whereas driving.

One of many vehicles is claimed to have illegally blocked a shifting automobile.

These pursuing the Sussexes are mentioned to have been confronted by uniformed police a number of instances however apparently continued their pursuit.

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