- A photo agency has pushed back on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's papparazzi car chase claims.
- Backgrid USA said that its freelance photographers say there were "no near-collisions or near-crashes."
A celebrity photo agency has pushed back on Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle's claims that they were involved in a wild New York City car chase by paparazzi, saying that its freelance photographers reported back there were "no near-collisions or near-crashes."
The royal couple's spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday that Harry, Meghan and Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, were involved in a two-hour "near-catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi" on Tuesday night after they attended a charity event in Manhattan.
But photo agency Backgrid USA said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight that it had freelance photographers "covering the couple's stay in New York City, including the possibility of a dinner" after the Women of Vision award ceremony at the The Ziegfeld Theatre.
The photographers, the company said, "had no intention of causing any distress or harm, as their only tool was their cameras."
Backgrid USA added, "The photographers have reported feeling that the couple was not in immediate danger at any point."
"At Backgrid USA Inc., we value transparency and ethics in journalism, which include providing fair and factual responses to claims. We are aware of Prince Harry's statement regarding an alleged 'near catastrophic car chase' involving himself, Meghan Markle, and her mother, in New York City on Tuesday night," the photo agency said.
It continued, "We want to clarify that we have received photos and videos of last night's events from four freelance photographers, three of whom were in cars and one of whom was riding a bicycle. It is important to note that these photographers have a professional responsibility to cover newsworthy events and personalities, including public figures such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle."
The photo agency also said that the freelance photographers alleged that "one of the four SUVs from Prince Harry's security escort was driving in a manner that could be perceived as reckless. The vehicle was seen blocking off streets, and in one video, it is shown being pulled over by the police."
A photographer who was involved told Good Morning Britain that it was the royal couple's driver who was causing the chaos.
Reps for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to requests for comment by Insider on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the New York Police Department told Insider in a statement that there were "no collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests in regard" to the Tuesday night incident.