Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will receive additional security measures from the NYPD on future visits to New York City following a security incident in May 2023, according to the department's letter originally written in September.
The letter, obtained by NBC New York, said that after investigating the May 16, 2023 incident, the NYPD determined that the photographers acted in a “reckless” manner, although no charges were filed.
In a statement to NBC News in May, a spokesperson for the couple said the “sustained pursuit” of the couple, who were leaving an event, lasted more than two hours and led to them colliding with other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers. Police officers.
The spokesman added that the “near-disastrous car chase” came “at the hands of a gang of extremely aggressive photographers.”
Julian Phillips, the NYPD's deputy commissioner of public information at the time, said officers “assisted the private security team in protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
“There were several photographers who made the transfer difficult,” Phillips said in a statement. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived at their destination and no collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests have been reported in connection.”
In the NYPD letter, police said the photographers demonstrated a “reckless disregard for vehicle and traffic laws and continued dangerous and unacceptable behavior.”
The NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office decided that there was insufficient evidence to arrest anyone involved, but that the incident would lead to a change in security for the royal family in the future.
The NYPD said it would “enhance the security resources afforded to the Duke and Duchess for future visits to the city,” according to the letter, which said the NYPD would add additional resources to protect the couple.
