The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry, and Meghan, have demanded that an agency hand over photos and videos taken by paparazzi during a recent “chase” in New York. However, the agency has refused to comply.
Harry and Meghan’s representative have sent a letter to the Backgrid agency, but the company responded by stating that Harry does not possess the authority to issue commands “as perhaps Kings can do.” The couple claims to have been involved in a “near catastrophic” pursuit after an awards ceremony on Tuesday, but some have expressed skepticism about their account.
Their letter reportedly states: “We hereby demand that Backgrid immediately provide us with copies of all photos, videos, and/or films taken last night by the freelance photographers after the couple left their event and over the next several hours.” The couple, Harry and his wife seeks these materials to enhance their future security measures.
In response, Backgrid’s lawyer appeared to mock Harry and Meghan’s request in a strong-worded letter. The lawyer said : “In America, as I’m sure you know, the property belongs to the owner of it: Third parties cannot just demand it be given to them, as perhaps Kings can do, Perhaps you should sit down with your client and advise them that his English rules of the royal prerogative to demand that the citizenry hand over their property to the Crown were rejected by this country long ago. We stand by our founding fathers.”
The agency has previously stated that it does not condone harassment or illegal activities and is conducting a thorough investigation.
The couple’s press secretary said that Harry and Meghan were “incredibly scared and shaken up” by the incident and she had never seen them so vulnerable.
According to their security, at least 15 traffic lights were ignored by the paparazzi who were driving aggressively and recklessly in cars and on bikes.
However, one person involved in the incident claimed that it was the royals’ own driver who made the situation dangerous.
A taxi driver who transported the couple during part of the journey also suggested that their account was exaggerated and that he never felt in danger.
Two New York police officers downplayed the incident, describing it as “a bit chaotic” rather than “near catastrophic.”
It is worth noting that Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, tragically died in a car crash while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris in 1997. Currently, the duke is suing UK newspapers over claims of intrusion into his private life, including alleged phone hacking.
Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have not provided any comments regarding the incident in New York.
