Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Rep Slams Claims of a “PR Stunt” in New York Car Chase

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has addressed the recent car chase involving the couple in New York City.

Speaking to The New York Times, Ashley Hansen dismissed claims that the incident was exaggerated and stated that it was “abhorrent” to suggest it was a PR stunt.

“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 P.R.

stunt,” Hansen said.

The car chase occurred on May 16, after Meghan was recognized as a Woman of Vision Award honoree for her global advocacy to empower women and girls.

The trio was trailed so aggressively by photographers that it created what a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex described as a “near catastrophic car chase”.

The event drew comparisons to Princess Diana’s death, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 involving photographers pursuing her vehicle.

In response to the incident, the New York Police Department confirmed that authorities assisted Prince Harry and Meghan’s security team, saying their travel was made “challenging” by paparazzi and that there were no collisions, injuries, or arrests.

However, some doubted the details of the story, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who expressed skepticism about the two-hour high-speed chase.

One taxi driver who drove the couple during the evening, Sukhcharn Singh, told The Washington Post, “I don’t think I would call it a chase.

I never felt like I was in danger.

It wasn’t like a car chase in a movie.

They were quiet and seemed scared but it’s New York — it’s safe.”

The New York Times reached out to event photographers for their perspective, with one admitting that he chased Harry and Meghan that night but declined to share further information.

Prince Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson also debunked the idea that it was fair for photographers to follow them because they couldn’t get shots of them leaving the awards, pointing to pictures as proof.

“They were some of the most beautiful images of the evening,” Hansen said.

The spokesperson stated that being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, but it should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety.

“Dissemination of these images, given the ways in which they were obtained, encourages a highly intrusive practice that is dangerous to all involved,” the spokesperson said.

Following the incident, Meghan and Prince Harry were said to be shaken but doing well.

A source close to the couple told People, “They were both shaken up from what happened, but they are doing okay.

They are grateful to have amazing security teams and thankful that everyone is safe.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced intense media scrutiny since their marriage in 2018, with the couple stepping back from royal duties in 2020 and moving to the US.

They have been vocal about their struggles with the press, with Meghan recently opening up about her experience in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

In the interview, Meghan revealed she had experienced suicidal thoughts and that there were concerns within the royal family about the color of her son Archie’s skin before he was born.

The couple’s comments caused a media storm and led to discussions about racism and mental health in the UK.