Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were involved in a 'near catastrophic car chase' after making their first public appearance since the Duke of Sussex visited the UK alone to attend his father King Charles' Coronation.
According to his spokesperson, the incident happened after the couple had attended an awards ceremony in New York on Tuesday alongside Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland.
"This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on
the road, pedestrians and two NYPD (New York Police Department) officers," the spokesperson added.
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The statement from the spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in full: "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 involved."
The couple were accompanied by Doria at the Ms Foundation for Women’s 50th anniversary gala event in New York on Tuesday (May 16). The ceremony 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”.
The duchess received the Ms Foundation’s Women of Vision Award, recognising her “global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls”. She wore a strapless gold midi dress with scalloped pattern detailing.
Meghan was presented with the award by renowned journalist and feminist activist Gloria Steinem. Her acceptance speech closed out the gala where she said: “It’s never too late to start.
"You can be the visionary of your own life… There is still so much work to be done. I am a woman who remains inspired and driven by this organisation,” she said, looking over Ms Steinem, who introduced her alongside current foundation chief executive Teresa Younger.
"It allowed me to recognise that part of my greater value and purpose in life was to advocate for those who felt unheard, to stand up to injustice, and to not be afraid of saying what is true and what is just and what is right.”
Tuesday’s event marks the first public event that Harry and Meghan have attended together since the duke made the solo trip to the King’s coronation earlier this month. Meghan had opted to stay at their US home in Montecito, California, with their two children Prince Archie, who celebrated his fourth birthday on the same day, and Princess Lilibet.
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