The Heir, The Spare and the “Baby Brain” -The Prince Harry and Meghan show rumbles on…

[airgelaal]

Do you read these articles looking for points to nitpick so you can criticize this couple? Because it sure seems like you do.

Given you've never been to NY let alone drove in the city (as I have), you have absolutely no idea what the realities of the situation are. Several sources said that the paparazzi were driving recklessly and the police have come down quite hard on them saying that they almost injured police officers. Other bystanders have said the same.

But, sure, Harry & Meghan made the whole thing up and they were actually on a sightseeing tour through the city.

I trust the mayor of New York. From the article above:

He seemed skeptical about whether there could have been a high-speed chase for two hours in New York City

I believe the story is true. But I also believe that the spokesperson of Meghan and Harry exaggerated the situation too much.

 

[kwanfan1818]

NYC is actually not that hard to drive in. You look for fares, and you watch out for the taxis who will cross three lanes of traffic to get to those fares. Finding legal parking on the street is much more difficult. But that's different than trying to evade being followed.

It's not that unusual for people who don't want to people to know where they're staying in NYC to have their drivers take long and circuitous routes rather than go straight home. I used to know some of drivers who did nights for private companies, and one of their gambits was to get on the West Side Highway, drive over the George Washington Bridge, turn around in Fort Lee, and head back to Manhattan. Or take the FDR Drive to the Bronx and then turn around, because there were no stops on the highways.

 

[Jenny]

As the story continues to develop, there have been several conflicting accounts of what happened. There's no doubt that they were pursued by paparazzi, but the degree to which they or anyone else were in danger seems to be in question. Here's another one, from CBS News:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were in a "near catastrophic car chase" involving paparazzi in New York City Tuesday night, his spokesperson said.

"This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD (New York Police Department) officers," the spokesperson said.

The chase was "at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi," according to the statement.

However, two law enforcement sources told CBS News no one was in danger during the pursuit. Paparazzi followed Harry and Meghan as they circled, trying to lose them and not give away where they were staying in the city, the sources said, and the couple eventually switched vehicles and got away.

 

[becca]

I don’t know what to say.

 

[miffy]

Of course it has to be 100% true and not exaggerated at all! Just like when they were persued in the Netflix documentary (by a delivery guy on a push bike seemingly).

Glad no one was hurt anyway

 

[marbri]

I'd also be seriously side-eyeing their security guy who thought it was a good idea to get into a yellow cab with some random driver. Especially if they spent hours driving around so the paps wouldn't know where they were staying. Because if I were that cab driver I would absolutely be telling the others at the next cab stand who I just drove to the insert random hotel

 

[puglover]

Interesting they claim the involvement of other drivers on the road and pedestrians as well as police officers and over two hours of pursuit and yet not many coming forward to speak on the record. Maybe it is too early yet? but people innocently caught up in traffic tie-ups or witness erratic driving are usually more than anxious to speak out about it.

 

[overedge]

Interesting they claim the involvement of other drivers on the road and pedestrians as well as police officers and over two hours of pursuit and yet not many coming forward to speak on the record. Maybe it is too early yet? but people innocently caught up in traffic tie-ups or witness erratic driving are usually more than anxious to speak out about it.

Or maybe for the other drivers, it was just a random traffic slowdown that isn't unusual when driving in the city. I.e. nothing to see here.

ETA: and I seriously doubt that the NYPD has the resources to send officers on a two-hour car chase caused by paparazzi following a celebrity's car. This isn't like OJ Simpson trying to evade being arrested.

 

[Jenny]

Interesting they claim the involvement of other drivers on the road and pedestrians as well as police officers and over two hours of pursuit and yet not many coming forward to speak on the record. Maybe it is too early yet? but people innocently caught up in traffic tie-ups or witness erratic driving are usually more than anxious to speak out about it.

I'm not surprised. One of the amazing things about New York is that it takes a lot to phase people. Traffic issues - whether planned for construction or parades or just ongoing - are just part of life, people carry on. Ditto celebrities and limos or fancy cars, you see them all the time. Even if there were sirens and screeching tires and flashing lights, my guess is most would see the news today and think "oh that's what that was."

Also not surprised one of the cab drivers spoke up though, for his 15 minutes of fame

At this point the most interesting thing to me in all this is that the Sussexes issued a statement about it. If they hadn't, I doubt this would have made the news at all, and instead the media would be talking more about the award Meghan received and the dress she was wearing - which they were, until this story took over.

 

[Mugs]

you have absolutely no idea what the realities of the situation are. Several sources said that the paparazzi were driving recklessly and the police have come down quite hard on them saying that they almost injured police officers. Other bystanders have said the same.

I know you weren't posting to me but I wanted to add a couple of thoughts in general:

I have driven through NYC many times. It's not a drive for the faint of heart, especially if you're not used to city driving, pedestrians, bikes, buses. The best way I can think of to describe it is maniacal claustrophobia.

IMO, both the driver and the paparazzi are at fault in this situation. If Meghan and Harry want this sort of high profile life then they and/or their team need to develop an effective strategy for dealing with the paparazzi (be it pose for cameras for a few minutes or an exit plan from events where they avoid the paparazzi altogether). Telling their driver to speed through the streets of Manhattan (or not having the driver immediately slow down) was foolish and dangerous. At a minimum, the driver should be given a citation and held accountable. Same for the paps, if they can be identified.

It's interesting that Meghan and Harry have been photographed several times over the past week or two. It seems that someone is alerting the paparazzi of their whereabouts so that photos can be taken. We don't know who is doing the alerting but if its anyone on M&H's team, including one of them or a close friend or family member, they are playing the same losing game Diana played.

It's terrible that the chase happened and I'm glad no one was hurt. The paparazzi will never learn and they will take risks to get a photo but vilifying the paparazzi/press will only get M&H so far. M&H need to do better in this type of situation.

 

[Sparks]

It's interesting that Meghan and Harry have been photographed several times over the past week or two. It seems that someone is alerting the paparazzi of their whereabouts so that photos can be taken. We don't know who is doing the alerting but if its anyone on M&H's team, including one of them or a close friend or family member, they are playing the same losing game Diana played.

No. It was well known Harry and Meghan were in NYC for Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards.

 

[MacMadame]

He seemed skeptical about whether there could have been a high-speed chase for two hours in New York City

No one said it was high-speed. They said the paps kept pulling up even with the car and taking pictures. That is not a safe thing to do. If they are taking pictures, they are not watching where they are going and they can't have both hands on the steering wheel/handlebars. If you've had someone pull up to the side of you to try to talk to you (or give you the finger or scream at you) while driving, you will no doubt remember how erratically they were driving while trying to do this.

Even if there were sirens and screeching tires and flashing lights,

Which there were not.

 

[Jenny]

Which there were not.

Exactly.

 

[Mugs]

No. It was well known Harry and Meghan were in NYC for Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards.

I said they have been photographed multiple times over the past week or two, which is an accurate statement. There have been photos of Meghan hiking with friends, Meghan and Harry eating a restaurant with other celebs, Meghan exiting a building with Gloria Steinem. Someone is alerting the paparazzi of their whereabouts.

 

[becca]

I said they have been photographed multiple times over the past week or two, which is an accurate statement. There have been photos of Meghan hiking with friends, Meghan and Harry eating a restaurant with other celebs, Meghan exiting a building with Gloria Steinem. Someone is alerting the paparazzi of their whereabouts.

Sometimes the celebrities themselves call the paps

 

[marbri]

I said they have been photographed multiple times over the past week or two, which is an accurate statement. There have been photos of Meghan hiking with friends, Meghan and Harry eating a restaurant with other celebs, Meghan exiting a building with Gloria Steinem. Someone is alerting the paparazzi of their whereabouts.

Didn't she sign with some big Hollywood agency 2-3 weeks ago

This isn't the first award she went to NYC to receive an award yet it is the first time I recall a near catastrophic car crash. ?‍

 

[Frau Muller]

Episodes 4&5 of HG Tudor’s analysis of the incident, with talk of the photo of H/M/D riding in a cab, as H films the paparazzi (in ep 5):

Ep 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ail8cWCbhWo

Ep 5 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNpGh1DGKMw

Piers Morgan interviews the taxi driver!

Piers Morgan Interviews Taxi Driver Of Harry and Meghan On Night Of 'Car Chase'

Piers Morgan Uncensored is joined by New York taxi driver Sunny Singh who was involved in the 'catastrophic car chase' that happened last night in Manhattan ...

www.youtube.com

 

[overedge]

Didn't she sign with some big Hollywood agency 2-3 weeks ago

This isn't the first award she went to NYC to receive an award yet it is the first time I recall a near catastrophic car crash. ?‍

Yes, she signed with WME (what used to be the William Morris Agency and the Endeavour Agency). https://variety.com/2023/film/news/meghan-markle-wme-hollywood-agent-1235597210/

 

[Wyliefan]

This isn't the first award she went to NYC to receive an award yet it is the first time I recall a near catastrophic car crash. ?‍

Well, it would be pretty odd if it happened every single time they went there.

I don't doubt something happened. Given that Harry has extremely bad memories of a car crash in which paparazzi were involved, it's quite possible he exaggerated the incident. It likely felt way worse to him than it was. All the more reason for paparazzi to be a little more considerate in such situations, if they're capable of it.

 

[liv]

Glad no one was hurt, no matter the truth of the story.

That being said, my first reaction was that this was exaggerated by their spokespeople. Yes, cynical, but with some people these days you never know ( jussie smollett, anyone?). And, seeing that the mayor, NYPD and the cab driver have cast doubt on the severity of the situation it does make you wonder why such dramatic language was used by their spokesperson.

M has just signed with a big agency, and they often inform paps of who/where/when, so this is more their style... albeit in bad taste considering Harry's history. But, sometimes things are done without prior consent or knowledge too... now that Harry's done spilling the tea and making money from it, they have to be in the public conversation somehow, or risk having the private life they wanted.

 

[marbri]

Well, it would be pretty odd if it happened every single time they went there.

I don't doubt something happened. Given that Harry has extremely bad memories of a car crash in which paparazzi were involved, it's quite possible he exaggerated the incident. It likely felt way worse to him than it was. All the more reason for paparazzi to be a little more considerate in such situations, if they're capable of it.

Indeed. And according to the taxi driver it didn't happen this time either, not the near catastrophic part anyway.

Taxi driver says Prince Harry and Meghan 'paparazzi car chase' was not 'near catastrophic'

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were pursued in their car by photographers after a charity event in New York. With the help of police, they were able to switch to a taxi. That cab driver told reporters the couple seemed "nervous" but that the danger involved has been "exaggerated".

news.sky.com

 

[miffy]

Meghan has allegedly been calling Backgrid and setting up photos with them for many years, pre Harry days. She’s always been well known for it. That’s apparently how they always know where to turn up, even when she’s just out casually hiking with thousands of dollars of jewellery on

 

[sk8pics]

I generally don't follow these things very much, but when I heard about the "near catastrophic car chase" I did read about it. Here's a gifted article from the NYT:

Prince Harry and Meghan Say They Were Chased by Paparazzi in New York

The couple said they were chased in Midtown Manhattan, an incident the police said resulted in no collisions, injuries or arrests.

www.nytimes.com

I think the statement was exaggerated but it's also possible it felt near catastrophic to Harry, given his PTSD.

 

[kwanfan1818]

A typical taxi ride in NYC can seem pretty scary to people not from NYC, and I've seen cabbies do things, and I've been driven by cabbies who've done things, that scared the daylights out of me. Like driving partially on sidewalks, nearly sidesweeping other vehicles, blasting through red lights, going over curbs, etc. To the drivers, that's just another day at the office. As if any driver was going to say that they put their passengers and everyone else around in danger.

If you're primed for danger, or triggered in any way, I can imagine how that would be amplified.

I've also been mocked for putting on seat belts in taxis. And gotten major stink-eye and for asking drivers where they are, since many are buried, I've always assumed deliberately. It's as if being in a taxi is like being in bubble wrap for the same people who won't turn their own engine on until everyone in the car is buckled in.

 

[MacMadame]

Indeed. And according to the taxi driver it didn't happen this time either, not the near catastrophic part anyway.

Taxi driver says Prince Harry and Meghan 'paparazzi car chase' was not 'near catastrophic'

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were pursued in their car by photographers after a charity event in New York. With the help of police, they were able to switch to a taxi. That cab driver told reporters the couple seemed "nervous" but that the danger involved has been "exaggerated".

news.sky.com

These are not defined terms. They are subjective. The taxi driver is entitled to his opinion as is Harry.

 

[ballettmaus]

Of course not.

Well... Yeah.

A, the palace doesn't comment on pretty much anything and B, one of the reasons Harry and Meghan left the royal family was because they wanted to be able to say what they want when they want it. Leaving included that Harry and Meghan would not be covered by the deal that BRF has with the media anymore. So, yeah, of course, the palace doesn't comment (and I'm not under the impression that Harry (or Meghan) expect them to). This just seems to be the general "so and so declined to comment" that you usually read.

I knew someone would say this. First of all, no one said there was a crash, just that there could have been.

Eric Adams, Mayor of NYC:

New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) said Wednesday morning that he had been given a preliminary briefing on the matter and had been informed that two New York City police officers “could have been injured.”

The "could have beens" kind of make me go uh? I'm pretty sure officers could be injured every single day just like there could be one or multiple car crashs every single day, especially in populated areas like NYC and especially during rush hour. A "could have been" is pretty much business as usual. (What it felt like to Harry is an entirely different matter as is the fact that there should be laws against this kind of paparazzi behavior. Are there laws against it? Waiting for someone outside a building is one thing. Following them in a car another altogether and no one should have to put up with that kind of harassment. Even if traffic isn't a factor, I find it scary).

 

[Sparks]

A typical taxi ride in NYC can seem pretty scary to people not from NYC

I was only in NYC for a day and this is true. I felt safe enough but I wasn't followed by people who wanted to get pictures and wanted to know where I was going.
Honestly, I felt more comfortable on the subway or the train

 

[Karen-W]

Listen, folks... Harry is about to lose his lawsuit against the British Home Office for their decision to not give the Sussexes additional security, etc. And we just happen to have a "near-catastrophic" car chase involving them and paparazzi... the timing is... uhm... coincidentally interesting?

 

[airgelaal]

These are not defined terms. They are subjective. The taxi driver is entitled to his opinion as is Harry.

If Harry himself spoke about this incident, then there would be no questions. But for a professional spokerperson, it was foolish to exaggerate so much. That is why all the services began to deny the seriousness of the situation and Meghan and Harry do not look very good. if the situation had been described less critically, and the focus had shifted to the experience of Harry and the paparazzi in general, then everyone would have supported them.
After reading the article, I imagined something like this

Taxi (2004) Original Theatrical Trailer [4K] [FTD-0637]

35mm 4K film scanRelease date October 6, 2004

www.youtube.com

 

[sk8pics]

I was only in NYC for a day and this is true. I felt safe enough but I wasn't followed by people who wanted to get pictures and wanted to know where I was going.
Honestly, I felt more comfortable on the subway or the train

I even grew up in Brooklyn and when I was in NYC last year I had a super scary taxi ride. Way worse than any I experienced as a kid.