Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be receiving additional security from the NYPD on future visits to New York City following a security incident in May 2023, according to a department letter originally written in September.
The letter, obtained by NBC New York, said after an investigation of the May 16, 2023 incident, the NYPD determined the paparazzi acted in a “reckless” manner, though no charges have been filed.
In a statement to NBC News back in May, the couple’s spokesperson said the “relentless pursuit” of the couple, who were leaving an event, lasted for over two hours and resulted in near collisions with other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD police officers.
The spokesperson added that the “near catastrophic car chase” came “at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi.”
Julian Phillips, the then-NYPD deputy commissioner of public information, said at the time that officers “assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
“There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging,” Phillips said in a statement. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard.”
In the NYPD’s letter, police said the paparazzi showed a “reckless disregard of vehicle and traffic laws and persistently dangerous and unacceptable behavior.”
The NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney’s Office determined there was not enough evidence to arrest anyone involved, but the incident would lead to a change in security for the royals in the future.
The NYPD said it will be “enhancing the security resources afforded to the Duke and Duchess on future visits to the city,” according to the letter, which said the NYPD will add extra resource for the couple’s protection.
