Breaking: H & M in Car Chase

www.etonline.com/photo-agency-responds-to-meghan-markle-and-prince-harrys-near-catastrophic-car-chase-claims-204821

They had three security cars, a NYPD escort too.
It seems to me that their capacity for exaggeration and attention seeking is sickening.
I have no sympathy whatsoever.

My guess is that[if they havent done so already] they will eventually say "we never said that..".
They will say the media said so and so, it was our friend who said so and so, the taxi driver said..It wasnt us who said whatever.

Just brought myself up-to-date on this "incident". Apparently, the account from the driver of the taxi they were in varies significantly from that given by H & M'S spokesman. In his version, the pursuit was around 10 minutes long, not 2 hours. He went on to say: "I don't think I would call it a chase. I never felt like I was in danger. It wasn't like a car chase in a movie. They were quiet and seemed scared but it's New York — it's safe." The "horde" of papparazzi were apparently 2 cars and a man on a bicycle. Some of the photos which have been released supposedly show Megan smiling. The only safety intervention made by the NYPD was said to be with the driver of an SUV who was one of H&M's security detail about his swerving erratically to avoid or block the pursuers, and thus endangering pedestrians. A photographer on the scene subsequently reacted to their description of the incident by saying : " it is "sensational" to describe the pursuit as "near catastrophic." Nobody got a ticket or arrested...I don't see how it was near catastrophic other than crazy hyperbole."
NYPD have confirmed that "the NYPD assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging," the statement said. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard." So we're talking chalk and cheese here as regards the two versions. Challenging, intrusive, for around 10 minutes... yes, but near catastrophic, multiple near collisions, relentless pursuit over 2 hours, highly dangerous? Really? I'm trying to be charitable here, but H&M's track record in their relentless pursuit for publicity and their constant portrayal of themselves as the eternal victims doesn't exactly do them any favours as regards either credibility or universal sympathy. I do feel sorry for them, but to a large extent, they really are the architects of their own demise. Even their American audience is becoming rather disenchanted with their self-penned soap opera. I know I certainly am...

I find it interesting that Harry just happened to have a video camera with him to film the 'chase', Is that the sort of thing you would bring with you to an awards ceremony? Maybe filming for Netflix.

If all 3 died together those poor children would have no one they knew.

Not to mention that with this publicity seeking couple they could at least set a good example and not break the law. They would cop a fine here, whoever they were but it must be different there if you are rich and 'famous' .

I'm sorry, but even driving at 5 k per hour you need to wear a seatbelt. Another faster vehicle could crash into your car.

Publicity stunt from a desperate to be news couple, Megan looks like a shop window dummy in that car, not a hair out of place in her eco friendly, not, gown, the taxi driver said they asked him to drive round a little. If there was a car chase don’t you think he would be shaken, he wasn’t.
The trouble with liars is that when something is true no one will believe them.

Re seatbelts: it is mandatory to wear seat belts in New York State since 2020, regardless of seating position.
You’d think Harry of all people would know the importance of buckling up

Namsnanny

What amazes me is the lack of seat belts!

Flipping heck! Yes!

Crash= chase

Did not the mayor say it was hard to believe there was a two hour chase ?

The trouble with habitual liars is that when they actually do tell the truth people are sceptical. My mother drilled that into me long ago. Also the boy who cried wolf comes to mind. If it is really true about the crash then that is awful for them or anyone and I hope that young man, Harry, particularly,is not too traumatised by it all given his family history.

Not that many are interested in the truth since it doesn’t fit their narratives, but the mayor of NYC actually spoke on the incident and was deeply unhappy with the paps and the dangerous situation they created. But hey, Granset ladies know better than him so crack on!

If you are travelling at approximately 20-25 k per hour you maybe don’t actually need seatbelts I suppose. It must have been one of those freaky no traffic days in New York.

Glorianny

The chase was before the taxi driver picked them up. Reports describe that cars following them were being driven recklessly. There is film on this site of the taxi and photographers trying to get a shot.They have 2 police cars escorting them. It looks pretty scary www.tmz.com/2023/05/17/prince-harry-meghan-markle-followed-paparazzi-car-chase/

If you watch the video link carefully at the end you will notice that the Police do not appear to be escorting them as the police cars turn right at the traffic lights whereas H&M' taxi turns left. As I said in my previous post - I don
t understand why they left the relative safety of the security convoy for an insecure taxi

What I really don't understand is why the got out of their security convoy of blacked out SUVs where they couldn't be photographed - to get into an ordinary NY city taxi that was less secure and without the privacy features? It seems like a bizaare decision.

What amazes me is the lack of seat belts!

Here they are.

To quote
“Recollections may vary”

Their spokesperson has said:
"Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi."

A police spokesperson has said:
"they do not believe the chase was "near catastrophic" and described a "bit of a chaotic scene".

Why did they drive round and round a few streets for an alleged two hours (other reports say 1 hour 15 minutes instead of going straight to their destination, as they had their own security and a police escort with them for protection?

🤔

British media scum

Hmm, not keen on that language.

Were they chased? Who knows? They’re not hurt, nor killed (don’t think any of us would want that) so no story here, me thinks.

MrsNemo

It's almost incredible to think that the 'chase' took place for all of two hours - and in New York. As others have said, the traffic hardly moves in some areas. I wonder why their driver didn't call ahead to the nearest Police Station and simply drive there?

Where were they trying to get to?

If a hotel then it was a long way from the venue in Manhattan although traffic is slow in that area.

It sounds as if the public was in more danger if paparazzi drove on the pavements and the wrong way up one-way streets.

The thing that defies belief is the absolute disregard for what actually happened and everyone deciding they know the truth, while just making stuff up.

What a world we live in. 😔

Am I the only one who counted 4 paps.
Meghan didn’t look very worried in the back of the taxi.
No motorbikes, no scooters, no racing cars.