Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s rep hits back at ‘abhorrent’ claim

The couple’s representative hit back at a persistent claim which has been circulating in the wake of their “near-catastrophic” paparazzi car chase.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen on May 16 in New York, just prior to the alleged ‘near-catastrophic’ car chase. Picture: MEGA/GC Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s spokesman is shutting down speculation that the Sussexes exaggerated their New York City car chase in order to gain publicity.

“Respectfully, considering the Duke’s family history, one would have to think nothing of the couple or anybody associated with them to believe this was any sort of PR stunt,” publicist Ashley Hansen told Page Six, referencing Princess Diana’s fatal car crash with paparazzi in 1997. “Quite frankly, I think that’s abhorrent.”

Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, were involved in a pursuit with paparazzi in New York on May 16.

The couple were pictured shortly before the alleged car chase. Picture: MEGA/GC Images

Ms Hansen released a statement at the time on behalf of the couple that claimed the chase was “near-catastrophic” and lasted over “two hours”.

The description of the incident was met with much scepticism given the traffic gridlock Manhattan is famous for.

While New York City Mayor Eric Adams denounced the “reckless and irresponsible” chase, a police source previously told The Post that the pursuit “definitely wasn’t two hours” and there were “no collision reports or 911 calls”.

Meghan had just won an award at the Women of Vision Gala prior to the incident. Picture: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Whoopi Goldberg also cast doubt on the event with her take on The View.

“I think people in New York know if it was possible to have car chases in New York we’d all make it to the theatre on time,” Goldberg, 67, said on the panel show.

“I think their spokesman referenced something that you generally would reference in Los Angeles. That’s where you have chases. That’s where you can move at high speeds.”

Even one of Harry’s friends said that the description of the chase was “hysterical”.

“Everyone understands [Harry’s] anger at the photographers,” the anonymous friend told the Daily Beast, “but making hysterical statements doesn’t help matters, especially when, as the queen might have said, recollections may vary.”

Despite all of the criticism, Harry and Meghan have not rescinded their side of the story. The two have, in fact, requested via their lawyer that the photo agency Backgrid hand over footage of the incident in order to further substantiate their claims.

However, Backgrid has emphatically denied the royals’ claim, saying in a statement last week, “According to the photographers present, there were no near-collisions or near-crashes during this incident.

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

The agency also said its hired photographers had no intention of “causing any distress or harm, as their only tool was their cameras”.

However, Backgrid concluded, “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.”

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s rep hits back at ‘abhorrent’ claim