Prince Harry’s spokesperson sparked a media storm after releasing a press release saying the Sussexes had been concerned in a “near catastrophic” automobile chase that was brought on by “highly aggressive paparazzi” on Tuesday night.
The spokesperson mentioned the “relentless pursuit” lasted greater than two hours and “resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD (New York Police Department) officers”.
But the NYPD and a taxi driver who drove the group downplayed the severity of the “car chase”.
As totally different claims emerge, this is what we learn about what occurred final evening 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 Foundation for Women’s annual gala on the Ziegfeld Ballroom at round 10pm native time.
It was the couple’s first public look for the reason that King’s coronation.
The group wished to return to the place they had been staying on the Upper East Side 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.
One NYPD car escorted their automobile throughout 57th Street and different streets for round one hour and quarter-hour, based on 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 received into a distinct automobile and received to their residence with out being adopted.
Taxi driver: ‘It’s New York – it is protected’
A taxi driver who picked up the Sussexes outdoors the nineteenth precinct mentioned: “I don’t think I would call 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 never felt like I was in danger,” Mr Singh mentioned.
“It wasn’t like a car chase in a movie. They were quiet and seemed scared but it’s New York – it’s safe.”
However, though the taxi driver’s account performs down the incident, he did add he won’t have seen all the things.
Mr Singh additionally mentioned he received the impression from the Sussexes that that they had already been pursued by paparazzi earlier than they received in his automobile.
Read extra:
What Harry has mentioned about paparazzi earlier than
‘Impossible to not be reminded of Diana’
Video of couple earlier than ‘automobile chase’
‘No accidents’ based on NYPD – however mayor warns press
An NYPD official mentioned previous to arriving on the nineteenth precinct, there was “a bit of a chaotic scene” however downplayed the severity of the chase.
Julian Phillips, the deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department, has mentioned officers “assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex”.
He added: “There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging.
“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 said he was told two NYPD officers could have been injured on the night, however.
He said: “The press or paparazzi, you realize, they wish to get the precise shot, they wish to get the precise story.
“But public safety must always be at the forefront.”
The mayor added: “In a briefing I received (I heard) two of our officers could have been injured… I don’t think there’s many of us who don’t recall how (Harry’s) mum died.
“It could be horrific to lose the harmless bystander throughout a chase like this and one thing to have occurred to them as nicely.”
Mr Adams said he believes the behaviour of those following the Sussexes was “reckless and irresponsible”.
He also added, however, that he found it “laborious to consider” the pursuit of the couple lasted two hours at high speeds.
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Reports of ‘erratic driving by paparazzi’
As well as the police accounts, more details have also emerged about the alleged behaviour of some members of the paparazzi during 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 pink lights and reversed down a one-way avenue.
It has additionally been mentioned not less than one driver was utilizing their telephone behind the wheel.
At least one different is reported to have been photographing whereas driving.
One of the automobiles is alleged to have illegally blocked a shifting car.
Those pursuing the Sussexes are mentioned to have been confronted by uniformed police a number of occasions however apparently continued their pursuit.
Source: information.sky.com”