The unfolding drama surrounding the alleged high-speed car chase involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in New York City takes a new turn as a celebrity photo agency, Backgrid, refuses to comply with the reported request from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's legal team to hand over images taken during the incident.
According to Harry's spokesperson, the car chase was described as a "near catastrophic" event that took place on Tuesday night. Backgrid, based in California, revealed to the BBC that it received a letter from the couple's legal representatives, although the content of the letter was not viewed by Robb Report.
The letter allegedly demanded Backgrid to provide copies of all photos, videos, and films captured by freelance photographers after the couple left their event and in the subsequent hours.
However, Backgrid firmly denied the request, asserting that property in America belongs to its owner, and third parties cannot simply demand its surrender, as kings might do.
The photo agency retorted that Harry's expectation of citizens handing over their property to the Crown, based on English rules of royal prerogative, had been rejected long ago by the United States, referring to the principles established by the country's founding fathers.
Nonetheless, Backgrid confirmed to the BBC that it is investigating the conduct of four freelancers who captured photos of Harry and Meghan that night. The agency reported that the photographers claim the couple was never in immediate danger at any point during the incident.
Robb Report's inquiry to Archewell, the business organization founded by Harry and Meghan, did not receive an immediate response. Similarly, inquiries made to Backgrid were left unanswered.
In an interview, a taxi driver who provided transportation to the couple during part of the night shared his observations, stating that Harry and Meghan appeared nervous during the ride. He mentioned that although they were followed by two cars, he would not classify it as a chase.
