Duke and Duchess of Sussex's team should have managed exit better to avoid chase, says former bodyguard

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private protection team should have "properly stage managed" the couple's departure from an awards ceremony to avoid a "near catastrophic” two-hour paparazzi pursuit, it has been claimed.

The couple’s security team was blamed for heightening the risks involved in what they claimed was a dramatic two-hour chase through New York City on Tuesday night.

One paparazzi driver alleged to have been involved in the incident said it was “very tense” trying to keep up with the Sussexes’ vehicle.

“They did a lot of blocking and there was a lot of different types of manoeuvres to stop what was happening,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

The man, who was not identified, blamed Harry and Meghan’s driver for creating potential danger.

“Their driver was making it a catastrophic experience … if they were going 80mph, I would probably have been going 20mph behind them and hoping to keep sight of them,” he said.

“So if it was dangerous and catastrophic, it was more than likely based on the person that was driving.”

Celebrity news agency Backgrid USA said it was investigating allegations that the Sussexes’ safety was threatened.

Couple's security team 'blocking off streets'

In a statement, the agency noted an SUV from the couple's security escort drove in a way that "could be perceived as reckless" and was pulled over by police after it was seen "blocking off streets".

Meanwhile, Ken Wharfe, who worked as Diana, Princess of Wales's protection officer for six years, said the entire incident should have been “properly stage managed”.

He said he had "some sympathy" for the couple's protection team, adding: "The whole point is you have to take advice on this, and I don’t know to what extent the New York Police Department were involved, but basically it’s something that needs to be properly stage managed.

“I will make the point here from my own experience … the paparazzi, at best, can be talked to, but at worst they’re a nuisance.

"But they’re not out to cause the death of any one person. So, I think we have to be a little bit careful there.”

'Relentless pursuit'

The Duke and Duchess, accompanied by Doria Ragland, the Duchess's mother, said they were subjected to a two-hour "relentless pursuit" by a "gang" of at least six paparazzi in vehicles with blacked-out windows after leaving an awards ceremony in Manhattan.

A member of the Sussexes’ security team gave his own account of the incident to CNN.

In an unusual move, Chris Sanchez identified himself and said: “I have never seen, experienced anything like this. What we were dealing with was very chaotic. There were about a dozen vehicles: cars, scooters and bicycles.

“The public were in jeopardy at several points. It could have been fatal.

"They were jumping curbs and red lights. At one point they blocked the [vehicle carrying the couple] and started taking pictures until we were able to get out."

Mr Sanchez said he “was concerned about the principals [Harry and Meghan] but more about the public because they [the paparazzi] were being so erratic."

He added: "People were on sidewalks and crossing streets and the [paparazzi] were crossing red lights. We did everything by the letter of law.”

New York City authorities have played down the severity of the incident, saying that although photographers had made the Sussexes' journey "challenging", there had been "no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests".

Eric Adams, the New York mayor, said: "I would find it hard to believe there was a two-hour, high speed chase."

Three law enforcement officials also told US network NBC News they would not describe it as a chase.

According to the couple, the pursuit lasted more than two hours and resulted in several near collisions.

Harry and Meghan 'swapped their SUV for a yellow taxi'

A source close to them said they had been forced to seek refuge in a police station on three occasions as they sought to shake off the photographers. At one point, in a failed attempt to create a decoy, they swapped their SUV for a yellow taxi.

But they were swiftly identified, and pictures and videos later posted online showed the vehicle illuminated by continuous camera flashes.

The Duchess could be seen wedged between the Duke and her mother in the back seat as the Duke appeared to use his mobile phone to film the photographers.

Backgrid's intervention was the latest that cast doubt on the couple's version of events.

In its statement, the agency said: “According to the accounts given by these freelance contributors, they were covering the couple's stay in New York City, including the possibility of a dinner after an award ceremony.

"They had no intention of causing any distress or harm, as their only tool was their cameras. A few of the photos even show Meghan Markle smiling inside a cab. The photographers report that one of the four SUVs from Prince Harry's security escort was driving in a manner that could be perceived as reckless."

They added: "The vehicle was seen blocking off streets, and in one video, it is shown being pulled over by the police. We understand that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security detail had a job to do, and we respect their work.

"We do, however, want to point out that according to the photographers present, there were no near-collisions or near-crashes during this incident. The photographers have reported feeling that the couple was not in immediate danger at any point."