Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s spokesperson confirmed their involvement in a “near catastrophic car chase” with paparazzi in New York City on Tuesday night, May 16. 

In a flashback to what happened to Princess Diana, the spokesperson explained that the paparazzi relentlessly pursued them for over two hours, resulting in several near collisions with other drivers, pedestrians, and two police officers.

The couple, accompanied by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, were in New York City to attend the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards. The spokesperson clarified that Ragland was also present during the chase. 

The New York Police Department assisted the private security team responsible for protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Monday evening in dealing with the paparazzi. The department acknowledged that numerous photographers followed the couple after the event but confirmed they reached their destination safely without any reported accidents, tickets, injuries, or arrests.

The incident must have been particularly stressful for Prince Harry as it is reminiscent of the tragic 1997 car crash that killed his mother, Princess Diana, as paparazzi chased her car through the streets of Paris alongside her boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams condemned the chase as “reckless and irresponsible” and expressed concern about the potential consequences, emphasizing the danger of harm to innocent bystanders or Harry and Meghan. Mayor Adams did not provide specific details about the incident but mentioned that he would receive a comprehensive briefing later.

Earlier this week, a man suspected of stalking the couple was apprehended at their Montecito residence around 2 am on Monday. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office spokesperson confirmed that the couple’s security personnel placed the suspect, Kevin Garcia Valdovinos, under citizen’s arrest near the service entrance of their home. The police later arrived and charged him with stalking. Valdovinos was released on $2,500 bail.