Prince Harry and Meghan Markle get increased police protection in New York despite UK defeat

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle get increased police protection in New York despite UK defeat

Prince Harry will appeal the High Court's decision.

Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 02/03/2024

- 16:00

Updated: 02/03/2024

- 16:01

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex described a New York car chase with paparazzi as "near catastrophic" in May 2023

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will get increased police protection in New York despite the Duke of Sussex's High Court defeat in his UK security battle.

The royal couple released a statement in May 2023 blasting the behaviour of "aggressive paparazzi" following their appearance at the 50th anniversary of the Ms Foundation for Women's award ceremony in New York.


Court documents from Harry's legal battle with the Home Office revealed that the New York Police Department [NYPD] felt Meghan and Harry were recklessly endangered during a car chase with paparazzi.

In a letter to the Metropolitan Police which is dated December 6 2023, the NYPD’s Chief of Intelligence discussed their findings following a review of the car chase.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will get increased police protection in New York.

Getty

The intelligence chief wrote: "We found the following: reckless disregard of vehicle and traffic laws and persistently dangerous and unacceptable behaviour on the part of the paparazzi during the night in question.

"The individuals operated vehicles, scooters, and bicycles in a manner that forced the security team, which included an NYPD Lead Car, to take evasive actions on several occasions and a circuitous route to avoid being struck by pursuing vehicles or trapped on side blocks.

"Our conclusion, upon review with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, is that we have sufficient evidence to arrest two individuals for reckless endangerment."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

a spokesperson for the NYPD has confirmed that the royal couple will receive additional security when in New York.

Getty

Now a spokesperson for the NYPD has confirmed that the royal couple will receive additional security when in the State.

They told The Telegraph: "We have since increased security protocols for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex."

Despite losing his court case against the Home Office today, Prince Harry has vowed to appeal the decision.

The royal was fighting Ravec's 2020 decision that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.

Prince Harry

The royal was fighting Ravec's 2020 decision that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.

Getty

The court found there had not been any unlawfulness in reaching the decision of February 28 2020 and that any departure from policy was justified.

The court has also found that there has been no unlawfulness on the part of Ravec in respect of its arrangements for Prince Harry's visits to the UK following the 2020 decision.

The Duke of Sussex had challenged the Home Office over his right to automatic police protection in the UK after he was stripped of taxpayer-funded security.

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