Global Courant 2023-05-18 23:29:55
A former bodyguard of the late Princess Diana threw cold water at the story that the paparazzi tried to endanger Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during an alleged car chase on Tuesday night.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed they were chased by photographers for “more than two hours” in a “relentless” chase after leaving the Women of Vision Awards – where Markle was honored for her advocacy work. Diana’s previous head of security, Ken Wharfe, spoke about the alleged chase on Thursday’s episode of “Good Morning Britain”.
“The paparazzi are conversational at best, but a nuisance at worst,” he said during the performance, according to Page Six.
“But they’re not out to cause a person’s death. So I think we have to be a little careful there.”
Meghan Markle was apparently followed by photographers in New York City after Tuesday night’s event. (Kevin Mazur/Astrid Stawiarz via Getty Images)
PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE IN NYC: TIMELINE OF ALLEGED ‘NEAR CATASTROPHIC’ INCIDENT
Princess Diana tragically died in 1997 after being chased by paparazzi in Paris.
The chase ended when the speeding car crashed into a pillar in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Diana died hours later after surgery at a hospital.
Wharfe worked for Princess Diana from 1987 to 1993. He continued to work for the Royal Protection Squad until his retirement in 2002.
Diana, Princess of Wales, along with her bodyguard Ken Wharfe, visits a homeless shelter in London. (Getty Images)
Earlier in the interview, the bodyguard claimed that Prince Harry’s security team may not have had the experience needed to deal with the high level of interest the couple is receiving from the paparazzi.
“The security team he currently has has never dealt with such a high-profile celebrity as Harry and Meghan,” Wharfe explained. “I have some sympathy for them.”
“The whole point is that you need to get advice on this, and I don’t know how much the New York Police Department was involved, but essentially it’s something that needs to be staged properly,” he added.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left the ceremony around 10pm and were escorted to a waiting black car. (MEGA/James Devaney via Getty Images)
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A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Markle told Fox News Digital: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Mrs Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a group of very aggressive paparazzi.
This relentless pursuit, which lasted more than two hours, resulted in multiple near misses involving other road users, pedestrians and two New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers.
“While being a public figure carries a degree of public interest, it should never be at the expense of one’s safety.”
Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, joined the couple at the Women of Vision Awards. (Kevin Mazur)
The NYPD, who helped transport Prince Harry and Markle, shared their account with Fox News Digital. “There were plenty of photographers who made their transportation a challenge,” Julian Phillips, deputy commissioner of public information, said in a statement.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reports of any clashes, summonses, injuries or arrests in relation to.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams criticized the “reckless and irresponsible” incident at a news conference, but also said he found it “hard to believe” that a “two-hour high-speed chase” took place in the densely populated city , caused by traffic, pedestrians and ongoing construction projects.
At the time of publication, no video footage of the alleged car chase has been publicly shared.
Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives for Prince Harry and Markle, as well as the royal family, but have yet to hear back.
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