CNN –
A member of the security team protecting Prince Harry and Meghan on Tuesday described a “chaotic” car chase in New York involving paparazzi photographers and said it could have ended in fatalities.
Speaking exclusively to CNN, Chris Sanchez said the Sussexes were followed by photographers after leaving the Women of Vision Awards at the city’s Ziegfeld Ballroom.
In the end, no one was hurt and the couple arrived safely but shaken at the apartment where they were staying, he said.
“I have never seen or experienced anything like this. What we had to do was very chaotic. There were about a dozen vehicles: cars, scooters, and bicycles,” Sanchez said.
“The public was endangered in several places. It could have ended fatally. They jumped curbs and red lights. Eventually they blocked the limousine (carrying the couple) and started taking pictures until we could get out,” he added.
Police said the incident was “challenging” but there were no collisions and no one was hurt.
Sanchez said he was “worried about the directors (Prince Harry and Meghan) but more about the public because they (the paparazzi) were so unpredictable.” People were on sidewalks and crossing streets and the (paparazzi) were crossing red lights . We have done everything under the letter of the law.”
Harry and Meghan switched cars “more than once” during the chase, Sanchez said. The couple were seen leaving the awards ceremony in a black car and were later spotted in a yellow cab.
After the incident, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were “terrified, exhausted but relieved to be back,” he added.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said it assisted the Sussexes’ private security team Tuesday night and “there were numerous photographers who made their transportation a challenge.”
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported clashes, subpoenas, injuries or arrests,” said Julian Phillips, the NYPD’s assistant public information commissioner.
Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A member of Prince Harry and Meghan’s security service told CNN a car chase involving paparazzi photographers in New York on Tuesday “could have ended fatally.”
Prince Harry has been open about his family’s safety and has often compared his wife’s treatment to that of his mother Diana.
The couple’s spokesman said that “while a public figure entails some interest from the public, it should never come at the expense of anyone’s safety” and urged the media not to publish photos of the incident.
A local law enforcement source confirmed some of the couple’s statements, telling CNN they were followed by a “swarm” of paparazzi on Tuesday.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the incident was “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
Buckingham Palace told CNN on Wednesday that it would not comment on the incident.