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May 17, 2023 |
6:04pm
The British royal family has not checked in on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their “near-fatal” paparazzi chase in New York City, Page Six can confirm.
A source tells us neither King Charles III and Queen Camilla, nor Prince William and Kate Middleton have contacted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex regarding the incident, which occurred on Tuesday night.
Spokespeople for the senior royals did not immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.
Harry and Markle’s rep could also not immediately be reached.
An insider previously told us, however, that the Sussexes were “extremely upset and shaken” after allegedly being chased by paparazzi for two hours Tuesday night.
No one from the royal family checked in on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their “near catastrophic” car chase through NYC. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
We’re told neither Prince William and Kate Middleton, nor King Charles III and Queen Camilla reached out to the Sussexes. Getty Images
The couple — along with the former actress’ mother, Doria Ragland — was pursued by photographers after leaving the Ziegfeld Theater, where Markle was honored by Gloria Steinem at the Women of Vision Awards.
“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,” the Sussexes’ rep said in a statement to Page Six Wednesday.
“This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with the latter’s mom, were allegedly pursued by paparazzi for two hours following an event Tuesday night. MEGA
A source told us the trio was “extremely upset and shaken” by the incident.MEGA
Doria Ragland, Markle’s mother (left), was “terrified” by the ordeal, we hear.Getty Images Ms. Foundation for Women
“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.”
A source added that the trio is “still upset, to say the least,” adding, “[The occurrence] was horrific.”
The New York Police Department is investigating the incident and said in a statement Wednesday that their officers “assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
The British royal family, pictured in happier times in 2019, has been estranged since Harry and Markle stepped away from their senior roles and moved to the US in 2020. AP
The Sussexes subsequently lost government-funded security detail. CBS
Harry has been adamant that he and his family are not safe in the UK without security, which he is also not allowed to pay for himself.Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Authorities added that “numerous photographers that made their transport challenging,” but Harry and Markle “arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard.”
However, a high-ranking police source told The Post that the “near catastrophic” pursuit was actually more tame than the ex-senior royals described.
“We only had one car as part of this. [The chase] definitely wasn’t two hours,” the source said Wednesday.
The duke recently traveled to his home country for less than 48 hours to attend his father’s coronation. Getty Images
Markle, meanwhile, stayed in California to celebrate son Archie’s 4th birthday.Netflix
It is said she skipped the coronation to “protect her peace.”TheImageDirect.com
Sources said the group drove in circles between FDR Drive and West 57th Street in an SUV before stopping at the 19th Precinct on the Upper East Side for about 15 minutes.
More must-see royals coverage:
How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle metPrince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship timelineRoyal family tree and line of succession
They then ditched their vehicle and jumped into a yellow cab that took them to the apartment where they were staying without paparazzi following.
Harry has been feuding with the British government over security for his family since they quit being senior royals and moved to the US in 2020.
Harry and Markle were married in the UK in May 2018. Getty Images
It was recently determined that the duke can not pay for private protection when he, his wife and their two children travel to the UK, as it would set an unfavorable precedent for “wealthy” citizens.
Harry — who traveled to his father’s coronation without Markle less than two weeks ago — previously insisted that he is “gravely concerned about his safety and security during future trips to the UK.”
The duke and duchess, along with 4-year-old son Archie and 1-year-old daughter Lilibet, lost access to government-subsidized bodyguards when they moved to California.
The pair have spent upwards of $2 million a year in private security since moving to Montecito, Calif. AFP via Getty Images
Harry and Markle have been paying upwards of $2 million a year for private security, including Kim Kardashian’s former bodyguard.
Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, died in a 1997 car crash that occurred while paparazzi were chasing her vehicle in Paris.
The controversial royal admitted in his Netflix doc that he’s afraid that “history [will] repeat itself” due to the “level of hate that [has been] stirred up in the last three years.”
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celebrity families
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celebrity feuds
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kate middleton
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King Charles III
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meghan markle
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new york city
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paparazzi
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prince harry
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prince william
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Queen Camilla
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5/17/23
Source: PageSix | Read More
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