Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have been making headlines since they stepped down as senior members of the British royal family in 2020. While the couple has repeatedly stated their desire for privacy, they appear to have courted the paparazzi in New York City, shortly before being pursued by a group of photographers.
According to the New York Post, Harry and Meghan chose to stroll in front of a group of waiting photographers after attending an awards ceremony at the Ziegfeld Theater on Tuesday night. Despite having one of Barack Obama’s former Secret Service agents on their security team—known as the “king of the back exits”—the couple reportedly voluntarily posed for photos.
Their representative, Ashley Hansen, spoke highly of the photos, praising them as “some of the most beautiful images of the evening.” However, the Post reported that the couple was pursued by paparazzi after leaving the theater, leading to what they described as a “near-catastrophic car chase.” The New York Police Department disputed some aspects of the couple’s version of events, including their claim that they were being chased for more than two hours.
The incident raises questions about Harry and Meghan’s approach to privacy and their relationship with the media. While the couple has often spoken out against the media’s intrusion into their lives, they have also made public appearances and granted interviews to media outlets. Some critics argue that the couple is trying to have it both ways; enjoying media attention when it suits them, but maintaining their privacy when it does not.
Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the press has been strained since their engagement in 2017, with the couple suing several British tabloids for invasion of privacy and libel. In a 2019 documentary, Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, the couple expressed their frustration with the tabloid press, with Harry describing it as a “ruthless campaign” against his wife.
The couple has also faced criticism for their use of social media, with some accusing them of contradicting their statements about privacy by promoting their personal brand and sharing pictures of their family. In response, Meghan has defended their use of social media as a way to communicate with their followers and share their work and causes.
Harry and Meghan have been vocal about their desire to use their platform for social and environmental causes, and have embarked on several philanthropic ventures since leaving the royal family. However, their high-profile status and media attention have left them vulnerable to criticism, with some accusing them of hypocrisy for preaching about privacy while also courting the media’s attention.
In the end, the incident in New York may have been a reminder to Harry and Meghan of the difficulty of maintaining privacy in the limelight. While the couple may have chosen to pose for photographs, they undoubtedly did not anticipate a high-speed car chase through the streets of Manhattan. The incident highlights the complex relationship between public figures and the media, and the challenges of balancing privacy and publicity in the digital age.
