Royal Family
Rep for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle slams claim car chase was PR stunt
The couple were involved in a pursuit with paparazzi in New York on May 16.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has hit back at claims the couple exaggerated their recent New York City car chase in order to gain publicity.
The couple were involved in a chase on May 16.
“Respectfully, considering the duke’s family history, one would have to think nothing of the couple or anybody associated with them to believe this was any sort of PR stunt,” publicist Ashley Hansen told Page Six.
“Quite frankly, I think that’s abhorrent.”
Hansen also released a statement following the chase, claiming that it lasted over “two hours” and was “near catastrophic.
“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,” read the statement.
“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.”
The incident was met with skepticism from many given the known traffic jams in Manhattan.
New York City mayor Eric Adams called the chase “reckless and irresponsible”, though a police source told The Post there were no collision reports or 911 calls, and that it definitely didn’t last two hours.
Whoopi Goldberg also cast doubt on the claims during a recent episode of ‘The View’.
“I think people in New York know if it was possible to have car chases in New York, we’d all make it to the theater on time,” she said.
“I think their spokesperson referenced something that you generally would reference in Los Angeles. That’s where you have chases. That’s where you can move at high speeds.”
The photo agency Backgrid also denied their claims, stating: “According to the photographers present, there were no near-collisions or near-crashes during this incident.
“The photographers have reported feeling that the couple was not in immediate danger at any point.”
Nevertheless, Harry and Meghan have yet to rescind their story.