A controversy has erupted over a reported car chase involving Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, which led to a picture agency refusing to hand over images of the couple. Backgrid, a celebrity photo agency, received a demand from the couple’s legal team to turn over photos, videos, and films taken during the incident, which they described as a “near catastrophic” pursuit. However, the agency has refused, citing Americans’ rejection of royal prerogative.
According to the agency, the demand was made via a letter received on Thursday, which stated: “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 letter was reportedly sent on behalf of Meghan, Harry, and Meghan’s mother.
The couple had attended the Ms Foundation For Women’s 50th anniversary gala event, their first public appearance together since Harry’s father, King Charles III’s coronation. A spokesperson for the couple described the incident as a “relentless pursuit” lasting over two hours, which resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers.
Prince Harry and Meghan (Via Prince Harry and Meghan/Twitter)
However, paparazzi have denied any near-crashes, while the NYPD stated that “numerous photographers” made the couple’s journey “challenging” but there were “no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests.” The controversy has raised questions about the role of paparazzi in celebrity news and the limits of public interest in personal matters.
In response to the controversy, Backgrid issued a statement citing the couple’s refusal to hand over the images. The agency said Americans “long ago rejected royal prerogative,” and therefore, it would not comply with the demand. The incident has sparked debate over the boundaries between public interest and personal privacy, as well as the ethics of paparazzi photography.
