Royal Demand Denied: Harry and Meghan Markle’s Battle for Privacy
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke, and Duchess of Sussex, found themselves embroiled in a legal battle after demanding that a photo agency hand over the photographs captured by paparazzi during their recent encounter in New York City. However, according to their lawyers, their request was met with a resounding refusal from the agency.
The couple, who referred to their encounter with the New York photographers as “near-catastrophic,” claimed they needed access to the images to enhance their security. A letter from their legal team insisted that the photo agency, Backgrid, immediately provide them with copies of all photos, videos, and films taken on the evening in question and in the hours that followed.
In response, Backgrid’s legal team fired back, asserting that the royals cannot enforce their rules in the United States. They emphasized that, in America, property belongs to its owner and cannot be demanded by third parties, as may be the case with royalty. They suggested that the Duke and Duchess should be made aware that their English rules of royal prerogative do not hold sway in the US.
#HarryandMeghan DEMAND PHOTO AGENCY GIVE THEM FOOTAGE OF 'CHASE'
Agency Fires Back: You Can't Play By King's Rules!!!https://t.co/RvrDBnReIh— Brightly (@BrightlyAgain) May 18, 2023
Backgrid clarified that they had hired four freelance photographers, one of whom was on a bike, to capture shots of the couple. They maintained that their intention was never to cause distress or harm; their sole tool was their cameras.
The incident drew parallels to the tragic 1997 crash that claimed the life of Princess Diana, Harry’s mother. The couple claimed that paparazzi relentlessly pursued them for two hours after leaving an event at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. However, law enforcement officials contradicted their description, stating that while the situation was somewhat hectic, it was overall under control.
Photo agency pushes back on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's claims of an intense paparazzi car chase https://t.co/lTNyiMSSrb
— Insider Life (@InsiderLife) May 18, 2023
The clash between the Duke and Duchess and the photo agency highlights the ongoing tension between the couple and the media. Since their withdrawal from official royal duties, Harry and Meghan have sought to establish stricter boundaries with the press and protect their privacy.
While the legal battle over the photographs continues, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the ongoing conversation surrounding the rights and responsibilities of both public figures and the media in the United States.