Prince Harry is reportedly “suspicious” of how the New York Police Department has handled its investigations of his and Meghan Markle’s “near-fatal” paparazzi car chase in May 2023.
A member of the Duke of Sussex’s security team fired off letters to higher-ups at the police department, per the Daily Mail, referencing how the royal felt “intentionally misled” and suspected a “cover-up.”
NYPD’s top intelligence officer John Hart reportedly informed police in London in September 2023 that they did not have enough evidence to make any arrests for the case.
From the onset of the investigation, the Big Apple’s police force downplayed the Sussexes’ claims.
Harry, 40, and Markle, 43, insisted via their rep at the time that they were victims of a “relentless pursuit” by “a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi” that lasted “over two hours” and “resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers.”
However, the NYPD clarified via a spokesperson that “there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard.” A police source also told The Post that there were “no collision reports or 911 calls” and that the chase “definitely wasn’t two hours.”
However, by December 2023, Hart reportedly told London police they then had sufficient proof to make arrests — yet no arrests or charges have been filed in the case since.
Per the Daily Mail, Touchstone, the security company hired to protect Harry and Markle, then told Hart on Dec. 21, 2023, “I am writing on behalf of the Duke of Sussex as he has asked that certain things be taken care of by this Friday as it relates to the incident last May in NYC, before he moves forward with an official complaint to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
“He would like the arrests of the paparazzi to happen or have an official letter stating why they have not been arrested or a letter from the DA’s office on why they haven’t accepted charges.”
The email reportedly also expressed Harry’s intention to file a “formal complaint” against the NYPD over their “handling” of the chase investigation.
The Touchstone rep also informed Hart that the “Spare” author had contacted California Gov. Gavin Newsom in an effort to escalate his requests to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Hart reportedly responded, “Okay — based on this we will refer all case updates or lack thereof only through counsel.”
“Please let us know if they have any further travel to NYC region — we will continue to provide coverage reflective of the October visit.”
Page Six reached out to the Sussexes’ reps and NYPD for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The royals, who have also expressed security concerns in the UK, have maintained that the New York City car chase was not a publicity stunt and they genuinely feared for their lives.
“Respectfully, considering the duke’s family history, one would have to think nothing of the couple or anybody associated with them to believe this was any sort of PR stunt,” their rep previously told us.
“Quite frankly, I think that’s abhorrent.”
However, Harry and Markle have both returned to the Big Apple for multiple events since the incident.
During a September visit to a tattoo shop in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the duke was flanked by several NYPD officers and members of his security team, seemingly upholding Hart’s promise.
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