The photo agency involved in the alleged 'near-catastrophic' car chase with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has broken their silence on the couple's claims.
Backgrid USA responded to suggestions paparazzi were aggressively pursuing the couple during their alleged chase through Manhattan.
According to reports, Harry and Meghan left the Ziegfeld Theatre with her mother around 9.50pm on Tuesday.
The three were then followed by photographers who failed to capture any shots of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they left the theatre, reports news.com.au.
Shortly after, a representative for the estranged royal couple claimed they “were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi”.
However, the company involved has mitigated the claims, saying its snappers ”had no intention of causing any distress or harm, as their only tool was their cameras".
In a statement to ET the company said: "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.
“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 freelance photographers hired to cover the event alleged “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".
The company then reportedly denied the royal's claim of 'aggressive' paparazzi, stating: "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."
The agency finished adding they will be “conducting a thorough investigation into the matter” saying it does not ”condone any form of harassment or illegal activity”.
On Wednesday, law enforcement sources described a much less dramatic ordeal, saying the chase only lasted about one hour as the family switched to a yellow cab to try to get the paps off their trail.
A private security car and an NYPD vehicle accompanied the trio‘s vehicle as a “significant” press presence followed, sources said. There were no 911 calls or collision reports made related to the case, the NYPD said.
The royals were reportedly trying to call it a night and head to the private Upper East Side residence where they were staying without revealing the location to the press and paparazzi.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
- Prince Harry's touching question to Meghan hours after birth of Lilibet
- Meghan Markle's comment about Trooping the Colour was met by 'yawning silence'
Meghan Markle's friend breaks silence after Netflix series with sweet wedding snap
Prince Harry addresses 'sadistic' rumour that James Hewitt is his real father
Meghan Markle's subtle social media hints before relationship with Prince Harry went public
