The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were the targets of 'reckless and irresponsible' actions, the New York City mayor has said. Eric Adams condemned the photographers who are said to have followed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in a “near-catastrophic” two-hour chase on Tuesday (May 16).
Speaking on Wednesday, he added that it would be “horrific” for Harry to be involved in an accident similar to the one that killed his mother Diana in 1997.
The mayor said: “The briefing I received, two of our (police) officers could have been injured. New York City is different from a small town somewhere (…) this is a densely populated city.
“I don’t think there’s many of us who don’t recall how his mum died, and it would be horrific to lose an innocent bystander during a chase like this and something to have happened to them. So I think that was a bit reckless and irresponsible.”
The couple was in the city with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland for an event at which the duchess received an award. The three of them are said to have been subjected to a “relentless pursuit” involving half a dozen blacked-out vehicles.
In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: “Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi. This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers.
“While being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety. Dissemination of these images, given the ways in which they were obtained, encourages a highly intrusive practice that is dangerous to all in involved.”
In a statement, New York Police Department said: “On Tuesday evening, May 16, the NYPD assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
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“There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests in regard.”
It is understood that Harry, Meghan and Ms Ragland were staying at a private residence and did not want to compromise the security of their friend’s home. The trio had been at the Ms Foundation for Women’s 50th anniversary gala event which honoured “game-changing” grantee partners and visionary leaders committed to the organisation’s mission of “advancing collective power and creating safe, just and equitable futures for women, girls, and gender-expansive people”.
Meghan received the Ms Foundation’s Women of Vision Award, recognising her “global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls”. It was Harry and Meghan’s first public appearance together since the duchess’ absence at the King’s coronation earlier this month.
