Prince Harry, Meghan Markle opted to exit in front of paparazzi before alleged car chase: report

Amid conflicting reports about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s “near catastrophic” paparazzi car chase, a surprising detail has emerged.

Harry and Meghan’s alleged car chase made global headlines. Picture: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images and Kevin Mazur/Getty.

New details have emerged about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s alleged “near-catastrophic” paparazzi car chase, with an insider revealing the surprising decision they made right before it broke out.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were back in the headlines this week after slamming a “ring of highly aggressive paparazzi” who they allege sparked a “near-catastrophic” two-hour car chase through the streets of New York City on Tuesday night following their appearance at an awards gala.

The couple were said to be “upset and shaken”.

A source has now told Page Six that Harry and Meghan – who had been guests at the Ms Foundation’s Women in Vision Awards gala prior to the incident – personally decided to exit New York City’s Ziegfeld Ballroom in front of the waiting photographers.

The smiling couple exited the event - before things took a dramatic turn. Picture: Mega/GC Images

Harry held his wife’s hand as he led her through the photographers. Picture: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

This was despite the fact their security team was led by a former member of ex-president Barack Obama’s Secret Service detail, Chris Sanchez, who has been dubbed the “king of the back exits” for his ability to sneak high-profile figures out of events.

Harry and Meghan were travelling with Sanchez in the blacked-out SUV they departed the venue in, and also when they swapped it for a yellow taxi while trying to dodge the paparazzi.

“Harry and Meghan were willing to give everyone those shots when they left the event, that was not the problem, but they were tailed from that point on,” the source told Page Six.

It comes as Sussex’s representative, Ashley Hansen, pointed out to the New York Times on Friday that “they were some of the most beautiful images of the evening.”

In the original statement last week, a Sussex spokesman detailed the “dangerous” incident.

“This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions, involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers,” it read, in part.

It’s been reported the couple were staying at a house on New York’s Upper East Side, likely no more than a 15-minute drive from where they set off. But they did not want to return directly to the property over concerns the location would be revealed.

Meghan - pictured with Harry before the event - received an award at the gala. Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Ms. Foundation for Women

They released a statement following the event, slamming the “aggressive” paparazzi. Picture: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

People close to the Sussexes had claimed the scene was “chaotic” and that someone could have died due to photographers pursuing the royal couple after their appearance at a gala dinner.

Police then said Harry and Meghan’s journey through Manhattan was “challenging”, but there were no crashes, collisions, injuries or arrests.

Late last week, TMZ reported that the royals’ lawyers had demanded that a photo agency hand over the footage taken by paparazzi on the night of the incident.

“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,” Harry and Meghan’s lawyers reportedly said in a letter to the agency.

However, Backgrid’s own lawyers quickly hit back with a letter of their own, rejecting the request.

“In America, as I’m sure you know, 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 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 also previously denied the royals’ account of the “near-catastrophic” incident.

“According to the photographers present, there were no near-collisions or near-crashes during this incident,” Backgrid USA told Page Six in a statement.

“The photographers have reported feeling that the couple was not in immediate danger at any point.”

Originally published as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle opted to exit in front of paparazzi before alleged car chase: report