Prince Harry suspects NYPD covered up Meghan Markle paparazzi chase incident
Prince Harry is reportedly dissatisfied with how the New York Police Department (NYPD) has handled its investigation into the “near-fatal” paparazzi car chase involving him and Meghan Markle in May 2023. According to the Daily Mail, a member of Harry’s security team accused the NYPD of intentionally misleading the royal and suspected a cover-up in the case.
The NYPD’s initial investigation found insufficient evidence to make arrests, with John Hart, the department’s top intelligence officer, reportedly informing London police in September 2023 that no charges could be brought forward.
From the beginning, the NYPD downplayed the Sussexes’ claims of being relentlessly pursued by aggressive paparazzi for over two hours, during which multiple near-collisions allegedly occurred.
The department clarified at the time that there were no reported collisions, injuries, or arrests.
Police sources also disputed the timeline, asserting that the incident did not last two hours.
By December 2023, Hart reportedly indicated there was enough evidence to pursue arrests but no action has been taken since. On 21 December 2023, Touchstone, the security company protecting Harry and Meghan, wrote to Hart on behalf of the Duke of Sussex. The email demanded arrests or an explanation for the lack thereof, warning of a formal complaint to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Prince Harry also reached out to California Governor Gavin Newsom in an attempt to escalate his concerns. Hart responded “Okay — based on this we will refer all case updates or lack thereof only through counsel.”
The Sussexes maintain that the incident was not a publicity stunt, citing genuine fears for their safety.
Their representative stated, “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,” adding “Quite frankly, I think that’s abhorrent.”
Despite these tensions, the couple has returned to New York City for various engagements, with security visibly tightened during their visits. In September 2023, Prince Harry was seen accompanied by NYPD officers and his security team during a visit to a tattoo parlour in Manhattan.
Both the Sussexes’ representatives and the NYPD have yet to comment on the ongoing concerns.
