Shots fired.
A photo agency denied Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s claim that the couple were in a “near-catastrophic car chase” with its paparazzi Tuesday night in New York City.
“According to the photographers present, there were no near-collisions or near-crashes during this incident,” Backgrid USA said in a statement to “Entertainment Tonight” Wednesday.
“The photographers have reported feeling that the couple was not in immediate danger at any point.”
The company also shot down the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s claim that they were followed by “highly aggressive paparazzi,” saying its hired shutterbugs had no intention of “causing any distress or harm, as their only tool was their cameras.”
The company said its paparazzi were not “aggressive.”TheImageDirect.comAccording to Backgrid, four freelance photographers, three in cars and one on a bicycle, were covering Harry and Markle’s night out in the Big Apple with her mother, Doria Ragland, and the possibility of a dinner after an awards ceremony they attended downtown.
“It is important to note that these photographers have a professional responsibility to cover newsworthy events and personalities, including public figures such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle,” the agency noted.
Backgrid added that it values “transparency and ethics” in journalism, including “providing fair and factual responses to claims.”
“According to the photographers present, there were no near-collisions or near-crashes during this incident,” Backgrid said in a statement. GC ImagesNevertheless, the company said it will continue to look into the incident.
“We do not condone any form of harassment or illegal activity. We are taking Prince Harry’s allegations seriously and will be conducting a thorough investigation into the matter,” Backgrid concluded its statement.
Page Six exclusively reported Wednesday that Harry, 38, Markle, 41, and Ragland, 66, were “extremely upset and shaken” after being involved in what they described as a “near-catastrophic” two-hour paparazzi chase the night before.
Sources told Page Six that Harry, Markle and her mom, Doria Ragland, were “shaken” after being involved in a two-hour chase with paparazzi following the Women of Vision Awards.Getty Images Ms. Foundation for WomenAfter attending the 2023 Women of Vision ceremony, where the “Suits” alum received an award from Gloria Steinem, the trio in an SUV around 10 p.m. and were immediately followed by about 12 photographers.
The couple, Ragland and their security guards eventually ditched the SUV after not being able to shake the paps and hopped into a yellow cab in an effort to escape.
An insider claimed to us that one cameraman hit a car and another almost ran over an NYPD officer during the “near-fatal” chase.
The NYPD said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were safely escorted to their final destination.Anadolu Agency via Getty Images“Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi,” a rep for the Sussexes added in a statement to Page Six.
“This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers.
“While being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety.”
“This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers,” a rep for the Sussexes shared. GC ImagesBut after Harry and Markle made their claims, witnesses began poking holes in their story.
The New York City Police Department released a statement Wednesday in response to the allegations, saying, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination, and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests in regard.”
The NYPD added that it “assisted” the royals’ private security team in keeping them safe.
A police insider claimed to The Post that the chase “definitely wasn’t two hours.”WireImageA high-ranking police source told The Post that no 911 calls were made to report anything and that the NYPD only had one car surveying the situation.
“[The chase] definitely wasn’t two hours,” the police insider added.
Mayor Eric Adams later confirmed during a press conference that, according to a briefing he received, two NYPD officers “could have been injured.”
Mayor Eric Adams called on the paparazzi to do better, referencing how Harry’s mom, Princess Diana, died in a car crash in 1997.AFP via Getty Images“I don’t think there are many of us who don’t recall how [Harry’s mom, Princess Diana] died. It would be horrific to lose innocent bystanders during a chase like this and [for] something to have happened to them as well,” Adams said, referring to the late Princess of Wales dying in a 1997 car crash in Paris involving paparazzi.
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Meanwhile, law enforcement sources told NBC News that Harry, Markle and Ragland were brought to the 19th Precinct, where they remained for 15 minutes before being put into a taxi and safely escorted by police to their Upper East Side destination without being followed.
It’s unclear when the couple will return home to California, but a source noted that they are “still upset, to say the least.”
Royal family members have not checked in on Harry and Markle since news of their car chase broke.REUTERS Members of the royal family have not checked in on Harry and Markle since the harrowing incident unfolded.
A source told Page Six that neither King Charles III and Queen Camilla, nor Prince William and Kate Middleton, have contacted the Sussexes regarding the ordeal.
Reps for Backgrid and Harry and Markle did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
