The Sussexes ‘demand’ that a photo agency turn over chase photos

The international effort to gaslight the Duke and Duchess of Sussex over their paparazzi chase on Tuesday night is giving me a pit in the bottom of my stomach. It’s the same play, over and over, only usually the play is more obvious to everyone watching. It’s just: pour scorn on every single thing Harry and Meghan do or say, call them liars, lie about what they’re doing or saying, and on and on. It’s bad enough when it’s about something like “Meghan going to lunch,” but this pap chase has really brought out some new, vile brand of toxicity. It’s especially notable that for all of the media’s lies that “there’s no evidence” of the Sussexes’ story, there are paparazzi photos and videos (few of which are being bought by agencies or media outlets) AND the Sussexes also recorded what happened on their iPhones. As for the photo agencies, in the immediate wake of the Sussexes’ Wednesday statement, the photo agency Backgrid issued this statement:

“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.”

“According to the accounts given by these freelance contributors, they were covering the couple’s stay in New York City, including the possibility of a dinner after an award ceremony. They had no intention of causing any distress or harm, as their only tool was their cameras. A few of the photos even show Meghan Markle smiling inside a cab.The photographers report 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. We understand that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s security detail had a job to do, and we respect their work.”

“We do, however, want to point out that 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.”

“At BACKGRID USA Inc., we do not condone any form of harassment or illegal activity. We are taking Prince Harry’s allegations seriously and will be conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.”

[From People]

“Meghan was smiling” and “their driver was reckless” is so victim-blaming, my god. Several paps have said that bit about how the Sussexes’ driver was doing “evasive maneuvers,” like… yeah, I hope the driver was trying to evade the multiple blacked-out SUVs, motorcycles, scooters, whatever. Anyway, on Thursday, the Sussexes got into it with Backgrid:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are trying to put the squeeze on a photo agency that claimed their freelance paparazzi who followed the couple Tuesday night were not, as M&H claimed, “highly aggressive” and didn’t cause a near-collision.

Harry and Meghan’s legal team fired off a letter to the Backgrid photo agency, claiming in part they need the agency’s footage of the “chase” to shore up their own security, adding … “We hereby demand that Backgrid immediately provide us with copies of all photos, videos, and/or films taken last night by the freelance photographers after the couple left their event and over the next several hours.”

Backgrid’s lawyer has rejected the Sussex’s demand, saying in a letter … “In America, as I’m sure you know, property belongs to the owner of it: Third parties cannot just demand it be given to them, as perhaps Kings can do. Perhaps you should sit down with your client and advise them that his English rules of royal prerogative to demand that the citizenry hand over their property to the Crown were rejected by this country long ago. We stand by our founding fathers.”

There’s no legal basis for Backgrid to turn over its footage — no lawsuit has been filed that would require the agency to turn over documents. Nevertheless, the demand was made.

[From TMZ]

I’m confused by all of this – did Harry’s team send some kind of notice to Backgrid and Backgrid leaked it to TMZ? I think that’s what happened, and I think Backgrid is probably being kind of highly selective about what the Sussexes’ lawyers are actually threatening. It’s also curious because from what I’ve seen at other media outlets, most of them are refusing to buy or publish photos from any part of the chase. Backgrid probably paid a fortune to their freelancers, and now those photos aren’t selling because Harry’s team has made it clear that the pics are the result of multiple criminal acts. I totally understand why Harry and his security would want access to all paparazzi video and photos though – they’re trying to do a forensic analysis of exactly what happened… and figure out whether every vehicle trailing them was actually a paparazzo.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

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262 Responses to “The Sussexes ‘demand’ that a photo agency turn over chase photos”

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  1. Shawna says:

    Backgrid will have to turn them over at some point. It’s just a matter of time. They’re just going to make it worse for them. Their “cheeky” response is vile and surely will escalate M&H’s legal response.

    • [insert_catchy_name] says:

      Their response is the worst, what are they playing at?

      I’ve noticed that since COVID people are a lot more shameless and self-entitled: they act like dicks and then double down, like “what are you going to do about it?”.

      • Shawna says:

        I feel that. In my personal experience, I’ve seen callousness on display regularly now in a way that I feel like there wasn’t before. It’s made me a little bitter, so now I’m disappointed by my own misanthropy. Sigh.

      • Couch Potato says:

        It started before covid, with Trump, Farage and the right wing nuts gradually talking louder in public. They’ve gotten more and more unhinged and “honest” about their horrible views and lack of human decency. Just like the rota rats they have no moral scruples, and the mask of civility is gradually dropped. It’s scary, because it’s so similar to the nazi pattern, dehumanising other groups until the average Joe is numb and indifferent.

      • Mel says:

        Covid has mad people selfish, entitled and an anti-social attitude. It’s gross.

      • DaisyMay says:

        It’s since the orange stain, not covid.

    • Dutch says:

      Unless it becomes a matter for the courts (criminal or civil), the agency is under no obligation to turn the photos over. NYC doesn’t seem to be in a huge rush to pursue criminal charges and I’m not sure how steady of ground the Sussexes have for a successful civil action.

      • Shawna says:

        Sure, I get that as true technically, but the balance of probability is toward them getting the pictures. I base that on the Sussexes’ previous and current legal successes.

      • Snuffles says:

        NYPD has to identify people first to charge.

      • KFG says:

        That’s not true. Receiving goods obtained through illegal activities and with the intent to harm does make them obligated. You can tell this is a UK company bc they don’t seem to grasp that the NYPD and several other law enforcement agencies are investigating and they can’t stonewall on our soil. They’re about to get sued!!

      • Rapunzel says:

        If Harry took video, which it seems he did, then there’s likely enough evidence of criminal activity to get backgrid’s materials. Harry’s got the pull to make it happen and hires extremely competent lawyers who would probably not demand without feeling confident they have cause.

      • Fifty-50 says:

        @Dutch

        I’ve been wondering if the individuals involved were British nationals and caught a plane immediately afterwards. In the absence of injured or dead bodies, it’s not worth putting warrants out for arrest for running red lights and going the wrong way on one-way streets. Whatever is happening, the facts are too murky.

      • Saucy&Sassy says:

        Fifty-50, I think there is something you’re overlooking. How do the police know the people involved have left the country? How do the police know what nationality they are? The only way to determine who did what is with all of the video and photos that are out there. They will show what happened. They will show who did what and when.

        There’s another piece to this story. I don’t think the US government wants anything to happen to Prince Harry on US soil. Think about that. Why would all of this NOT be investigated.

      • Isabella says:

        Did they actually blank out their license plates? Hard to argue they were planning to do everything by the book. Stalking people and following them in cast-moving vehicles and motorbikes on crowded city streets … whew.

      • Marija says:

        It absolutely did not start with trump but with Obama.

      • Flowerlake says:

        No, Marija, it definitely started with the Republicans.

        After 9/11, they dropped their mask and did all kinds of shady things in the name of patriotism.

        Trump and his supporters are the consequence of ever increasing shadiness and disinterest in facts.

        Funny how I couldn’t find more comments from “Marija” on this site, except to make this political comment.

        Hmmm.

    • Moxylady says:

      The fact that they said the photographers had a DUTY to chase them is so beyond disgusting.
      They were there. You got the photos. That’s where your access ends. You aren’t entitled to more.

    • kirk says:

      I have no idea whether H-M have rights re: photo/video obtained legally or illegally. But when I read the chase involved bicycles, I started thinking about the bike messenger racing movie “Line of Sight” by Lucas Brunelle (on YouTube). Unlikely anybody would still have bike skills like they did back in the messengering heydey. But I looked up movie anyway because I remembered loving it on Netflix. OMG that’s some thrilling, but definitely illegal, activity! Will see where this goes. H-M managed to shame Brit media into pulling initial photos, which is a plus. Rarely look at anything on TMZ. Willing to wait for fog to clear on this story; meanwhile Spare returned to #1.

    • HeyJude says:

      Harry’s going to own that agency after he’s through with them.

      • kirk says:

        He just might. Their statement was total BS, paparazzi “had no intention of causing any distress or harm, as their only tool was their cameras.” Based on one shot I saw on Twitter that DF briefly posted, it’s clear the pap was shining his flash directly into driver’s eyes.

      • kirk says:

        The pap who concealed his identity while talking to Good Morning Britain is clearly lying. He says if the couple had been going 80 mph he would have been following them at 20 mph – and you hope to get a picture at that speed differential? And you claiming that Sussex security driver is the one to blame for near catastrophe? Show your face, give us your name, act like a real witness.

        As for the pix briefly posted by DailyFail and Express it’s clear that pap was shining flash directly in their driver’s eyes.

      • Feeshalori says:

        In these fraught circumstances a camera isn’t a tool, it’s a weapon.

  2. ThatsNotOkay says:

    So the Sussexes’ lawyers need to ask for the material. It’s like putting them on notice that they are pursuing that footage. More accurately, they need to demand that the material be preserved in the eventuality of a lawsuit in which it might be relevant. TMZ might be splitting hairs because they’re saying there’s no lawsuit yet so you cannot make a preservation demand or a discovery demand. But that’s stupid. Sounds like Harvey Levin is telling Backgrid what to say or is at least colluding with them about how to behave. I’m guessing TMZ has a deal with Backgrid, which is why they got and posted the footage. This has TMZ stank all over it, and I’m hoping it’s the beginning of what ultimately takes that agency down. (PS, TMZ is now owned by…you guessed it… Rupert Murdoch.)

    • Shawna says:

      The collusion part makes me especially angry at people’s lack of critical thinking. All of these media outlets, paparazzi, photo agencies, and talking heads (the so-called experts in the carnival) have a vested financial interest in slamming M&H and denying their claims. They are simultaneously trying to defend their own practices and generate more money for themselves. This is why members of the press are not supposed to be a part of the story. It’s just so strange we’re in a world where this is possible. And bad for democracy because the media just operates in bad faith all the time now; they don’t want truth, just profits (cf Tucker Carlson).

    • NotTheOne says:

      I haven’t read anything TMZ is years but learning about it being sold to Murdoch is exactly who they are. TMZ is built on the UK rag model.

      • Lady D says:

        Fun fact: TMZ is owned by Radar Online.

      • Doppelgangers R'Us says:

        @LADYD
        “Fun fact: TMZ is owned by Radar Online.”
        That doesn’t make them any better. They were affiliated with Jeffrey Epstein and now with the company that had owned the National Enquirer and it’s sleazy policies.
        Dirty Trix Media™ by any other name. 😏

      • Agreatreckoning says:

        TMZ is owned by Murdoch/Fox Corp. Radar Online is owned by Dylan Howard.

    • Meagain says:

      Yup, they will want to see as much footage as possible, especially if they can pick up info like license plates, so they can figure out what exactly happened. All said, very fishy.

      Speaking of car incidents, why hasn’t anyone spoken up more about Sophie’s crash?

      https://darkofskin.wordpress.com/2023/05/19/the-duchess-and-the-car-incident/

  3. Dee(2) says:

    It’s very victim blaming. They may as well say I didn’t hurt you that badly why are you making such a big deal out of this? This snide posturing isn’t going to last long because they’ve already admitted to following them in a public statement, a lawsuit will just require them to turn over the photos. It makes me very happy though that they probably paid a million dollars for those photos, and can’t sell them to anyone. I hope they have the same end as X17 did. Anyway Happy fifth wedding anniversary to the Sussexes, hope they can refocus and enjoy this day.

    • Brassy Rebel says:

      Exactly. The photo agency sounds like an abusive spouse: it wasn’t so bad; I didn’t hurt you, but you made me do it; you started it. Classic gaslighting. This media-royal conspiracy is a hydra-headed monster.

      • Debbie says:

        My feelings exactly. That response did remind me of cases of abuse in that they used to claim “How could she have been violated? At one point, she was seen smiling. So…” It also struck me that Backgrid’s statement was less than neutral about the “journalist/photogs” and more of a defense of them. Then, they have the unmitigated gall to close by saying that they will not turn over the chase video but “will be conducting a thorough investigation.” Hah! The NYPD could request the tape IF they were interested in conducting any kind of investigation.

      • Surly Gale says:

        “you made me do it” is a weak-assed, ugly response
        Taylor Swift has a song out ‘look what you made me do’ that makes my skin crawl. It’s like ‘blurred lines’
        It’s abusive and gaslighting
        Taylor: NO ONE can MAKE you do anything.
        Robin: No means NO
        World: this is not rocket science, but it is becoming the way of the Teflon crowd.
        It’s everyone else’s fault. It’s not my fault. I’m not the problem. YOU ARE.
        Every time I hear either of those two songs, I want to scream out loud. Maybe one day I actually will. Then will I tell Taylor, look what you made me do? No, I’ll say I did it because I’ve been boxing up this outrage and am now allowing it out because I will not contain myself any longer. But let’s be clear, no one MAKES anyone do anything and Taylor did not Make me scream out loud.
        I hate how whatever they say, they do, it’s turned into something ugly.

  4. LW says:

    Yeah that response is truly vile and so immature. I hate this for H&M.

    I know this situation is very serious, but my gosh Meghan is so freaking GORGEOUSSSSS.
    The pictures above are just **chef’s kiss**

    • Ronaldinhio says:

      Came to say the same thing. I didn’t like the dress in earlier photographs but here it is chef’s kiss

      Also every word they say will be disputed by Murdoch and adjacent rags. How dare they advocate for themselves, their rights and their privacy – seems to be the problem for unscrupulous and dangerous press

    • Yvette says:

      Agreed. It’s a shame this happened because Meghan was killing it! She glowed! She was so beautiful in that gold dress and had them all eating out of her hands. Perhaps this was all designed to ruin her rare moment at a public event so close to the Clowning.

      What a shame.

  5. ML says:

    “Meghan was smiling” does not mean that Meghan wanted to be followed by a slew of strangers after 10 pm in a NYC. It does not mean she wasn’t scared either.

    Just about all the articles I’ve seen include the words “casting doubt” on what the Sussexes said, and I find that really worrisome. It’s like Stadler and Waldorf from the Muppets are doing the reporting and it’s getting more and more negative for H&M. They were followed against their will for about two hours. The paparazzi did not leave them alone. And both of them are on camera (especially Harry) explaining how it feels when they are photographed and stalked against their will.

    I hope they will be “Sussexful” (that was great!) against Backgrid.

    • Ginger says:

      Exactly. From the few I saw on Twitter before we knew about the chase, Meghan wasn’t smiling. She wasn’t giving them what they wanted which was a photo of her scared or crying. She was giving a neutral face and that must have pissed them off.

      If H&M get a court order I would assume Backgrid would have to comply and turn over what they have.

    • Dee(2) says:

      That ” she was even smiling” thing is pissing me off. She wasn’t smiling she had a practiced non confrontational look on her face, one I and probably a ton of other black women have had when in a stressful situation because you know people want you to show your ass so that they can justify treating you poorly(or worse). They wanted her to scream or point or get upset, it just feeds into all the lovely angry black woman tropes that they’re already putting out about her and she knows that.

      • Becks1 says:

        RIGHT. I said the other day we’ve seen that look on Meghan’s face before – its clearly a mask she puts on. I mean remember pictures of her from that night at an event with Harry, in the blue sequin gown when she was pregnant, the night she said to Harry that she had go with him bc she was so afraid of harming herself? Looking back now at the pictures you can see the distress, but at the time no one thought anything of it, and she looked smiling and happy when she was greeting people etc. And now we know she was on the verge of hurting herself and Archie that night.

        She was clearly trying to project calm so that the paps wouldnt’ get the pictures they wanted of her in distress.

      • Decowell says:

        100% This! We saw this look on her face at the last Commonwealth event too. I’m also a WOC and can vouch that I’ve had to practice and use this face many times, non-confrontational postures, breathing, etc to preserve my mental health and not feed into the pre-determined narrative about me.

      • Babz says:

        I posted on Twitter last night that we saw that same face during the funeral. It was at the ceremony for QE2 lying in state at Westminster. Meghan was grieving, but was calm and collected, and her facial expression was basically neutral, as were her lips. Yet the tabloids were screaming that she was “smirking.” It was so infuriating to read that. Either they don’t know the definition of smirking, or it was the cruelest word they could come up with.

        I finally had to get off Twitter last night because of all the bots and trolls calling them liars, and that this was all Meg’s doing so she could get more attention. I never expected such a world-wide attack on them and it’s so upsetting and depressing to see them put in this position when they were the victims. And of course, Chuck’s silence is only giving the haters more impetus to pile on. I really thought that people were coming around to H&M’s side after the documentary and Spare, but this reaction shows that all the propaganda from the tabs has done its job. If anything, the vile attacks are worse than ever. It definitely ups the threat level against them, too. My heart breaks for them and for Doria.

      • Iolanthe says:

        Why don’t you chase that grinning skull faced Middleton woman and her progeny for a change , all you sponsored press people , since she is itching to be just like Meghan. Let them get a taste of this side of their life . And the kind of gaping moronic mouth that passes as a smile on Kate’s face is never criticized

    • robem07 says:

      @ML: I was just coming to say exactly that.

    • The Recluse says:

      I think she was grimacing, which some people confuse with a ‘smile/smirk’, but it sure as heck isn’t one of those. I remember reading Gloria Vanderbilt’s autobiography ages ago and there was a pic of her leaving the courtroom, as a child. She looked like she was ‘smiling’. The press at the time claimed she was smiling, but she said, flat out, that she was grimacing. A grimace arises from uncomfortable situations and emotions.

  6. YeahRight says:

    They either hand it over now or in some courtroom. Big red isn’t afraid to take it there.

  7. Mustlovedogs says:

    There was a interview on our national broadcaster’s radio network here (Australia) with a well known aggressive and controversial paparazzo who was defending the so called ‘photographers’ and totally gaslighting Harry and Meghan’s account. The interviewer totally soft balled him and allowed him to spout his biased rubbish without nary a challenge. I was disgusted and incredibly disappointed and wrote a strong formal complaint immediately to the radio station and the broadcaster. It’s simply horrific. I’m appalled.

    • Bee says:

      Yeah I love how there are all these paparazzi (most commenting anonymously) saying that it wasn’t that bad. Unreliable narrators!

      • Shawna says:

        How could they live with themselves if they acknowledged the truth? They’re living in denial or have no shame.

      • Mary Pester says:

        There was even an idiot on the UK news (who didn’t want to show his face (I wonder why) saying they were not chasing them but were driving at 20 miles an hour 😂😂😂yeah, OK mr anonymous we believe you NOT
        And, if you were not doing anything illegal, why not show your face?, and were you even there!!

      • equality says:

        They can’t have it both ways and say that H&M’s vehicles were speeding but we kept up with them going 20 mph.

    • Cassie says:

      Our Australian media is very anti Sussex ,has been for years .

      It has worked because most people I know hate them..
      Channel 7 are especially disgusting..
      Gossip mags have a made up story on their front page every week.
      This week is that the Sussexes are begging Charlie to come back home .
      All absolute rubbish but people believe it .
      I refuse to buy any of the tabloids and don’t watch the morning shows.
      In good news I see Piers Morgan has been relegated to 11 pm at night .

      • Mustlovedogs says:

        @Cassie I agree with all you say. I refuse to watch or listen to any of it. Yes-Channel 7 are disgusting, but I was extra disappointed to hear it on the ABC.
        On a good note, I have heard a lot more positive comments and thoughts about the Sussexes lately from people I speak to. My copy of Spare is on constant loan-out and I share this site freely and often. We can all make a change for the better xxx

      • Swaz says:

        Australians are believing that Harry and Meghan are asking Charles to come back 🙄 I don’t even think my eight year old niece would believe that 🙄

      • Lex says:

        The australian coverage is absolutely vitriolic & unhinged towards them. Really insane stuff

        It makes me so angry so i just have to ignore it now

    • MsIam says:

      Paparazzi said those same type of things after Diana died. They are FOS. Also the head of of some photographers association put out a statement condemning the behavior too. This Is FAFO time for BACKGRID. Let’s see who they drag down with them.

    • Agreatreckoning says:

      @Mustlovedogs, that paparazzo may very well be a photographer for Backgrid or subcontractor for Backgrid/.backgrid. Backgrid does employ their own photographers and have exclusive contracts with others and invisible contracts some.

      Now, here is a fun fact. Backgrid/.backgrid’s FIRST international office – Sydney, Australia.

  8. Layla says:

    The fact that they’re demanding the photos back from BACKGRID (as is their right) proves that Meghan isn’t in the one that called them in the first place Why is this world full of idiots?

    • Julis says:

      Harry blames the paps for the death of his mother. He and Meghan have sued a photo agency in the past for publishing pics of their kids. Anyone who thinks they would call paps when they are one of the main villains in Spare is delusional.

    • Mary Pester says:

      Not only that but WHY are they not publishing them mmm

  9. Louise177 says:

    I don’t understand why they were chasing them. They were just at an awards ceremony so photographs weren’t going to be that profitable. I get the feeling something fishy is going to come out.

    • MrsCope says:

      @louise177 If they could follow them and see where they are staying, they can get more pictures of them leaving and also most likely of the children since they’re probably with them.

    • Bee says:

      They were attempting to figure out where they were staying in NYC so they could stake the place out. I think they should get a place in the building where Katie Holmes was living, with protected underground garage entrances. It even has a whole foods, lol.

    • Southern Fried says:

      I definitely believe there’s more to it. I don’t think it was all paps with the intention of more pix. Granted we don’t know all the facts but it seems a coordinated attack. By and from who to what end goals idk.

      • Feeshalori says:

        That’s my belief as well. Paps were there, sure, but that wasn’t the main objective. Retaliation and intimidation for Harry’s court cases were the main reason, maybe even culminating in fatalities.

      • Agreatreckoning says:

        Agree @Southern Fried. The Sussexes appeared at that huge Vax Live event in Sept. 2021 with nary a problem we know about. Timing is curious with Harry’s lawsuits. I would love for federal conspiracy charges be laid against the bad actors in this situation. The bad actors being the papz and other unnamed persons in blacked out ghost vehicles. If you want to know what that means, do a search using mayor adams ghost vehicles.

    • Jamie says:

      This is what I don’t get. Who cares about a few pictures of them getting in/out of a car? Especially after they were already photographed extensively at the event. Is that worth having multiple cars, motorcycles, etc.? Something else has to be going on.

    • Belli says:

      The fact that they had cars ready with covered plates screams coordination. There was more to it than just a few pictures.

      • DeeSea says:

        @Belli, YES. And beyond that, obscured license plates doesn’t exactly bolster their claims of prioritizing journalistic ethics and integrity. This is not “journalism,” let alone ethics-driven journalism.

    • ChillinginDC says:

      They want to figure out where they are staying. Then you can lay in wait and get photos of them that are more exclusive. And they all want pictures of the kids. I know get why some celebs just release them, themselves so people wont stalk their kids.

      • Southern Fried says:

        ChillinginDC, Turn your kids into sacrificial lambs to be hounded, scrutinized, yelled at, criticized, stalked by strangers? All to appease the tabloids? Look what they’ve done all Harry’s life.

      • ChillinginDC says:

        What? I am saying I now know why some celebs put pics of their kids on Instagram or other SM so that the dollar value for those first shots drops and the paps leave them alone. Why Blake Lively released photos of her pregnant and why Rihanna released photos of RZA when she found out there was an unauthorized photo out there.

      • Interested Gawker says:

        “They want to figure out where they are staying,”

        And step back for a moment. There is no proof that information, where they are staying, was ‘just’ to get pictures. The paparazzi angle is the shiny object. “They” may have been trying to learn where they are for kidnapping or fill in the blank…

        The media wants people to bicker about H&H and paps and New York traffic and celebrity and Princess Di rather than step back to see ‘they’ were probably trying to find and case the place for bad intent.

    • Jaded says:

      @louise177 — My tinfoil hat theory is that they hired off-duty professional drivers (Americans) with aggressive and evasive driving skills who wanted some easy money. Whoever was driving knew NY City well. The paps were undoubtedly British but would likely be uncomfortable driving at those speeds on the wrong side of the road. If and when they find out who these monsters are they should be sued for gross reckless driving and endangerment of lives.

    • Elon's Sink says:

      One pap revealed something truly disgusting, revolting and downright frightening. He said that paps were trying to get as many pics of the Sussexes because they never know if the pic they’ve got is the “last photo” of them unalive.

      Now I wanna throw up.

      • BQM says:

        I saw that on Twitter. Simon Morgan, a former RPO who has his own security firm, was on a British morning show. He was told this by a pap.

  10. Jais says:

    Yeah, we’ve got a large portion of people basically siding with the paparazzi and saying it was okay to follow Diana’s son for 2 hours in a car. You can’t make this stuff up.

    • Digital Unicorn says:

      Yeah and these same people shriek about how the paps killed Diana – I just can’t with these people. They are so brainwashed that they will stress themselves out to justify their hatred of the couple for no reason other than the press tells them to.

    • Amy Bee says:

      These same people (royalists) are upset that Kate was hacked over 155 times but are backing the press in Harry’s lawsuits.

    • Snuffles says:

      That’s simply not true. If you are only looking at the usual suspects-British tabloids and Murdoch owned media, you will see that, but plenty of other neutral news outlets presented the facts as is. And plenty of people online believe the same thing that happened to Diana almost happened to Harry and Meghan.

      • Jais says:

        Fair. CNN actually had a good account. I’m referring to large segments of the BM, not all, and the people who read watch and believe it. The BBC has not been great, or at least some on it, have not been great. It’s just ironic bc you would think that segment would not be so quick to side with paps after what happened with Diana.

    • Nic919 says:

      Many of these same people were outraged about that one guy near Amner who William approached. The hypocrisy is astounding.

      Also it’s pretty clear that they didn’t want to be followed because the kids were at their final location. With H and M and Doria at the ceremony there was no way they were in California.

      • Claire says:

        I’m confused why everyone is assuming that they brought Archie and Lillbet with them. I actually think it’s a little patronizing when everyone acts like doria is the nanny, so that wherever she is, that must mean the kids are. They clearly have several nannies. Plenty of working parents, and also parents that just have something personal to travel for, occasionally need to leave their kids overnight with nannies. Maybe the wanted to share the award ceremony experience with Doria and not use her as a nanny for this trip? Doesn’t Doria have a job that is several hours away from Montecito? I would imagine most of the time that Harry and Meghan travel together, they leave their kids with nannies and not Doria. Particularly if they were in New York for a short period of time it doesn’t make a lot of sense why they would put their kids on a plane, change time zones, take their kids out of preschool etc. just for them to be in NYC for 1-2 days.

      • Nic919 says:

        Doria isn’t the nanny but when both Harry and Meghan were in the UK, Doria would have been there with the kids and the nanny to be the parental figure since neither parent was there. . Seeing as how none of the three were there, they didn’t leave them in California with just a nanny. Especially when we hear about the stalker at their home in montecito the night before.

        Plus neither child is so old that they need to attend school. Archie wouldn’t start JK until September. Stop reading nonsense into things that were never said.

  11. K.Tate says:

    What’s scarier is it might not be a paparazzo.

    • Interested Gawker says:

      THIS.

      Why should any of us believe “they just wanted a picture” from a situation with multiple vehicles in pursuit that took pains to escape identification?

    • DaisyMay says:

      Yes, this scares me. I think the BRF absolutely hate it when Meg and Harry show up looking completely happy and gorgeous in order to pick up an award given to Meg of all people! Maybe someone insanely incandescent really wanted to rattle them for “revenge” or to make them stay home in the future out of fear. It just breaks my heart to see so much hate everywhere. Jesus said, “Love one another.” Don’t all these so-called Christians care at all?

  12. Polo says:

    They will gaslight them until something serious actually does happen (God forbid). A serious journalist could make a correlation to what just happened with Sophie’s motorcade but does serious journalism exist anymore?
    Just like any other manufactured drama surrounding Harry and Meghan.. people will move on and forget about this. I expect in another month or more they’ll find something else to get outraged or distort.
    In the meantime I hope the Sussexes have a lovely day.

  13. Sugarhere says:

    Those sick photos are unnatural for they were obtained under duress. The duress endured by the Sussexes consisted of psychological torment and physical endangerment that was purposefully provoked with intent to terrify, kill and obtain graphic images for corporate benefit and royal ego gratification.

    Whoever commissioned the whole plan needs to revert the duress pics to the victim, commit to never publish them pay hefty monies in damages, and stay the f❌😠ck out Henry and Meghan’s path.

  14. Snuffles says:

    Backgrid knows they are in deep shit and are trying to avoid a lawsuit. Funny thing is. I believe if they cooperated, the Sussexes might have gone easy on them. As the photographers were freelance and not hired by them. But, now they are going to get their asses sued into bankruptcy.

    And is it just me, or does their response sound like it was concocted by a Brit trying to sound American? I mean, who talks like that in real life? “We stand by our founding fathers”. Da Fuq? Whoever it was is clearly shitting their pants.

    The DJs on the NY based show The Breakfast Club who work near the Ziegfeld ballroom were talking about how the paps ran into and damaged 6 or 7 parked cars with their reckless driving. Chances are, they damaged a whole hell of a lot more property during that chase. I hope people come for Backgrid’s ass and sues them. Then maybe they will start singing like canaries.

    I hope the NYPD release the results of their investigation. Totaling up the number of traffic violations, criminal acts (like obscuring license plates and darkened windows) and damages.

    If Backgrid doesn’t cooperate, the CCTV and NY locals will tell the story. Their goose is COOKED.

    • Southern Fried says:

      I hope there’s more credible, experts? investigating besides NYPD. Surely WME has those kind of contacts.

      • Snuffles says:

        Oh, yes. I would hire my own private investigators if I were them.

      • windyriver says:

        The security company will have plenty of contacts, and their future reputation is at stake. The Sussex security person talking to CNN’s Foster yesterday is ex-Secret Service, and I’ve seen someone else described as ex-FBI.

    • SURE says:

      “And is it just me, or does their response sound like it was concocted by a Brit trying to sound American?” Backgrid has an UK operation and given that there might have been discussions between the US and UK head honchos, your guess is probably a good one.

    • Becks1 says:

      Yeah, so besides being super obnoxious, their response was just weird. “royal prerogative,” “citizenry” etc. It was just weird.

      One of the things I DID love about their obnoxious response though is that it’s slamming Britain….its basically saying “just because the Brits do whatever the royals say doesn’t mean we will.” And I mean, in terms of press coverage and legal proceedings, they’re not entirely wrong. So I thought it was funny they were pointing that out in a “we’re not like the subservient Brits” kind of way. I know the tabloid press will still run with it bc they won’t realize it was also an insult at them.

      Anyway my guess is the letter from Harry’s lawyer had a lot more in it and like someone said above, TMZ is being very selective in what they share about the letter so that the Backgrid response seems warranted. the letter probably had legal citations, cited to precedent, discussed the possibility of a lawsuit, etc. I’m sure it didn’t just say “GIVE US YOUR PICTURES” but it makes Backgrid’s response look better if that is all the letter said, you know?

      • Nic919 says:

        Making a reference to a king when they are in the states and Meghan is American is a very bizarre way for someone to respond. If it is a lawyer who wrote that they need to get off the deranger social media because it wasn’t professional at all.

    • Petra (Brazen Archetyped Phenomenal Woman) says:

      Backgrid outed as the photo agency responsible for the debacle is great result. Those photos are worthless, and respectable media outlets will not buy or use those pictures now.

      It saddens me Harry, Meghan, Doria and their crew had to experience that terror. I’m glad a statement was released and it’s in the public domain.

  15. Digital Unicorn says:

    Wow that response – nasty. Which also means they have something to hide to come out swinging like this. Also when did smiling and trying to look/be calm become a crime when in a stressful situation – no matter what she/they did it would have been ripped apart.

    Sue them – its clear they and their freelancers have lost money over this as no one will buy those photos/videos now. Am sure that Harrys UK lawyers are looking at ways to use the fact the the Fail and Express published the photos in the upcoming trial. May even start a new one.

  16. Amy Bee says:

    Why did Backgrid assume that Harry and Meghan would be going to dinner after the event and why did they feel the need to follow them home? They got pictures of them at the event. I think they have to handover copies of their pictures and videos either to Harry and Meghan or the police.

    • Ginger says:

      And they left at 10. Who has dinner at 10 pm? That seems late. Plus, the event was serving dinner.

      • Becks1 says:

        Well, i think in NYC 10 is more normal than other places, LOL. But I think the argument about them going to dinner is stupid anyway, especially once it was clear they were NOT just going to dinner.

      • HamsterJam says:

        Yeah, we just thought they might be going out to dinner after the dinner they had at their dinner event

      • Debbie says:

        Maybe Backgrid thought it was better to make up a story about following the Sussexes because they thought M & H & D would be having dinner, you know, right after having dinner at the Ms. Foundation event. That sounds much better than admitting that they wanted to follow the Sussexes home to find out where they were staying.

  17. Harper says:

    I believe Meghan has a discipline of shutting out the noise that surrounds her and I pray this current victim blaming nonsense going on will not affect her. In other words, why should she start paying attention to it now? They and their team have shown us that they act with deliberation and when laws are broken, pursue justice calmly and with excellent legal counsel. They sued that one paparazzi agency into oblivion. Backgrid issuing snotty press releases and the usual smelly old toads calling them liars and attention seekers is just a circus act to entertain the peasants for now.

    • SURE says:

      After the false bullying allegations, M can’t show anger, displeasure or any other negative emotion publicly. It’s another way she’s being dehumanised.

      • Becks1 says:

        That’s what I think is so disturbing about this. I mean we’ve seen it for a while now, but this incident just makes it so obvious and I’m sure it is triggering for many WOC. Meghan has been completely dehumanized in the eyes of the press and for many in the public and it is really disturbing. They don’t care if she was in this terrifying chase for 2 hours because she is not a human to them at this point.

        Someone on twitter was talking about how they dont know why the treatment of H&M bothers her so much (like why she finds it so chilling) and she named two other couples whose treatment also bothers her, like she takes it very personally. And I can’t remember one of the couples she named (but it was a WOC) and the other was Priyanka and the Jonas brother (I don’t know which one shes married to!! lol). and I thought, well its because the WOC have been so dehumanized that people just don’t even view them as human anymore. And once you notice that, its really really disturbing and hard to look away.

    • Jais says:

      Honestly, I was thinking about the South Africa documentary. The one time she showed vulnerability and emotion just by saying she wasn’t okay and look at how hard they went after her for that. It’s absolutely another form of dehumanization.

      • SURE says:

        Sadly while haters said her tears were an act, I think they’d say any anger on her part indicated her true nature.

    • MsIam says:

      If she showed emotion it would get labeled as “angry black woman” or “fake actress”. Harry clearly looked distressed in that picture and Doria looks like she’s praying. Notice their reactions don’t get mentioned.

      • Msmurfy says:

        Exactly. My heart is especially breaking for Harry, he just looks like a scared young boy again.

  18. Emily says:

    The line “professional responsibility” gets me. Paps aren’t doing a public service, they aren’t doctors or lawyers. They are harassing someone dangerously and trying to present it as beneficial.

    • Mustlovedogs says:

      @Emily exactly! That stood out to me too. How dare they equate that harassment with what real people do in their work to support others and the community.

    • Snuffles says:

      That’s why I think a Brit wrote that statement. That’s the kind of crap they believe when they cover the royals. They think they have carte blanche to do anything and everything under the guise of “they’re being supported by the taxpayer”. Despite Harry and Meghan removing themselves from that, they still believe it.

      • Ciotog says:

        As Harry made clear in Spare, Meghan was never supported by the taxpayers. She owes them nothing and never did.

    • Tx_mom says:

      Right? And what would be the “news” here, exactly? “Couple goes home after award ceremony”?

    • Brassy Rebel says:

      Paps are not journalists, at least not in this context. They’re trying to reclassify them as such.

      • JaneBee says:

        @Brassy Rebel “Paps are not journalists.” This is such an important point.

      • BQM says:

        People can look up the free speech trial of Jackie O vs Ron Galella. She was granted a restraining order.

  19. Kaylee says:

    I hate that such a great night for Meghan was overshadowed by this event. I hate some of the media have done a terrible job at reporting this. I hate that it feels as if the Sussexes are on their own even though I know they aren’t. I hate that this is starting to feel similar to Diana’s life and the craziness surrounding her life towards the end. I hate the direction this is going because it feels very sinister….

  20. Jane says:

    The way this story is escalating is ridiculous, and I say this from the UK where our media is determined to minimise and ridicule it while simultaneously covering it all day. Either Harry and Meghan are fantasists and imagined the whole thing and are maligning the poor innocent paparazzi who were just trying to make a living, or they didn’t and aren’t. Or possibly perhaps somewhere in the middle: there was a chase, it was incredibly stressful and triggering for the Sussexes and Doria, but it wasn’t quite as bad as they feel it was (but that shouldn’t invalidate their feelings about it, considering the background and context). But at the end of the day, it should be fairly easy to prove the truth of the situation – Harry’s phone footage, the police cameras, the CCTV of all the streets the convoy went down, the paparazzi video footage and photos, the eyewitnesses on the streets and roads that saw the convoy pass and how it passed. The British media probably won’t broadcast any footage that supports the Sussex version, so I look forward to seeing what the rest of the world has to say about it in due course.

    • Kel says:

      Yes any footage or statements supporting Harry and Meghan will conveniently not be reported on in the British media just like they’ve been ignoring the court case.

      Ultimately what H&M has said was true. There’s enough evidence to back that up. What hasn’t been true is peoples interpretations of their statement.. I don’t know how they fix that besides holding press conferences. But isn’t this what they’ve been dealing with.. remember Meghans first episode of Archytypes…

      Anyways I feel like most people have moved on though as this is the nature of short attention spans.

  21. Chantal says:

    What a-holes! I hope the NYPD demands every bit of footage they admitted to having in their snarky response to the Sussexes’ attorney and all that they didn’t admit to having. And what’s with the comment about kings perhaps demanding the property be turned over? Has BP somehow gotten involved, trying to get their hands on any incriminating evidence before Harry can? And mistakenly believe that BP is doing this on Harry’s behalf? If, as we suspect, they and the BM sent these “paps”, can these four freelancers be traced back to them? It does sound like Backgrid is running scared though.

  22. Jais says:

    Meghan is not going to give them the money shot of her looking upset in the car. She is going to smile and zen out internally before giving them that. Of course they weaponize that against her. They want a shot of her broken. Her serenity must drive them up a wall.

    • [insert_catchy_name] says:

      Yeah she probably pasted a smile on, because you know in that situation what the paps REALLY wanted was a photo of her crying or looking distressed.

      Also maybe she was a bit relieved, as she thought when they got into the taxi, the nightmare was almost over.

      • MelodyM says:

        She put on a brave face to help keep Prince Harry and her mother calm. If they had seen how upset and frightened she was, they would have been even more upset themselves.

        Sorry, Feeshalolri, I should have read a little further before making my first comment. 🙂

    • Feeshalori says:

      And she may have also been trying to keep her composure for Harry and her mother. You can tell her mom is trying to hold up in that photo, I can only imagine what that poor lady must’ve been going through as well.

      • Babz says:

        Someone said the same on Twitter last night. Harry’s PTSD had obviously been triggered, and Doria had to have been terrified. Meg knew that she had to be the calm one, so she called on her immense inner strength and fortitude and centered herself. That small “smile” on her face didn’t get anywhere near her eyes. It was the shield she put up to not give those vultures even the smallest glimpse of her fear and tension. She’s not about to let them break her, especially in public.

  23. Hail says:

    That response from backgrid was vile and irresponsible. Once Harry and Meghan finally take them to court, all those snide remarks will go right out the window. Because of the unprecedented hate H&M have received, Backgrid feels comfortable being this reckless and dishonest. They’re leaning on the deranged narrative that the chase “wasn’t that bad” and “see, Meghan was smiling” even though both the cab driver and their security said that at no point when they were in the cab, did they feel their life was threatened. The cab driver said H&M looked scared and nervous so that one snapshot of Meghan smiling doesn’t mean a damn thing. The Sussexes have bankrupted a pap agency before and they’ve never lost a case so backgrid should be very nervous.

    • HamsterJam says:

      It is almost like the BM wrote the response, isn’t it?

    • SadieMae says:

      I was particularly struck by the line about how they didn’t feel H&M&D were in “immediate” danger.

      Oh, well, if you’re not in *immediate* danger, it’s fine, right?

  24. JMmoney says:

    What you’re seeing is how the media relies heavily on relationships esp with the monarchy both in the UK and US. That’s why the Andrew/Epstein story was killed years ago by a major US news outlet for access to W&K specifically.
    I get H&M don’t want to engage with the RR and British media – justifiably so but the reason Diana got any good press was she did engage with some British media and RR. By H&M refusing outright with only a few US outlets show how much of the media both US and Uk is owned by right wing billionaires. The fact that H&M’s incident is not front page news and the incident being gaslit and smeared on both sides of the pond show just how powerful these right wing media oligarchs are who want to keep them monarchy. In Spare When Charles said going after the media is a suicide mission – there’s a reason he said it. PH is going up against oligarchs. I hope he’s successful but without a class action lawsuit it will be hard for him to truly “win”. He may get a payout but will he truly see media reform? I don’t think so.

    • Pauly says:

      I am for sure concerned about Harry’s fight with some of the UK tabloids. I think Harry will always get a pass but Meghan tends to get the brunt of the hate..by extension the kids will too..
      I just wonder at what point will it be too much? This already seems bad enough I just don’t want to imagine it getting worse.
      I do feel this fight against media is being driven by Harry and I just hope he and his team are making sound, wise decisions.

      The amazing thing is despite the media harassment and distortion of Harry and Meghan they are still liked and supported by lots of people. Yes the hate tends to be more vocal and loud but even those stupid opinion polls show they have support.
      That’s incredible when you think of a 6 year ongoing hate campaign. Meanwhile they tried to rehabilitate Camilla and she’s still widely disliked.
      So real people so what’s going on even if it doesn’t feel like it.

    • Becks1 says:

      They DO engage with some British media though. They’ll engage with the Guardian, i think the Times is on their approved list, etc. Its really just the tabloids they won’t engage with.

      • JMmoney says:

        The Times is def not on their list and The Guardian not so much. The way PR works is all about relationships. While the tabloids readership may be small, the columnists who write for them also work with other news channels/media outlets hence why the smears against H&M are as strong as they are notably the whole “privacy” thing. While it may be a tabloid writer that tabloid writer goes on chat shows and has friends and spreads the word.

        And as long as the wealthy, media oligarchs and gerontocracy support the monarchy it will always be there as it has been for hundreds of years no matter how much lack of power they may wield.

      • Rnot says:

        They even engage with the Telegraph.

      • Agreatreckoning says:

        @Rnot, the Sussexes engagement seems solely with Bryony Gordon. Someone they know and trust. They sure as h$ll are not engaging with Camilla Traducing. If it’s not coming from Bryony, I absolutely will doubt the veracity of the article.

        The Sussexes, on the Sussex Royal site stated they would not be working with the Royyal Rota.
        https://sussexroyal.com/media/
        media outlets are: The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, The Daily Mirror, The Evening Standard, The Telegraph, The Times, The Sun.

        At this point, you could include any the majority of papers in the UK/those under the ownership of the big three in other countries most likely.

  25. Tessa says:

    Gaslighting
    Like in the film gaslight where Paula is told that she’s imagining the lights flickering

  26. LeahTheFrench says:

    I don’t know. I’m going to get roasted on this site but I don’t think their PR team did them any favor here. They are backtracking to some extent – the first statement emphasized how dangerous the “chase” was, the second put much more emphasis on how they felt – and did not repeat the assertions from the first statement, as far I can tell. I do think they were very scared, and they would have every reason to be. Meghan Markle has been on the receiving end of horrific, racist online and offline abuse, and of course we all remember how Harry’s mom died. But that’s what they should have emphasized from the start – how they felt, which is, reasonably and understandably, very very scared. The fact that a number of people with no stakes in this – the cab driver, the NYC major, NYPD – have different versions or have cast doubts on their version of events is undermining the first statement, and their PR team should not have issued something that could be undermined that way. I’m also not convinced their own security was not at fault on this one, it does not look like their driver / security details necessarily took the right professional steps (there was an interview of a former guard saying you don’t want to engage in a “chase” but rather take your principals to a place of safety, until the situation settles, and that their security details should have planned that). Again: I can see their fear being perfectly legitimate; I don’t think their first statement did a good job.

    • Tessa says:

      It seems to me after years of some on the media trashing them that no matter what they said or did not say the media would criticize no matter what. The b o t comments are very predictable some even accusing them of staging it. Charles should have issued a statement to the media saying leave them alone and using the term non negotiable. Charles is a horrible person

    • Shawna says:

      I will admit that statement wasn’t as bulletproof as some of that previous statements. But I will point out that it is well known that witnesses often tell different or conflicting sides of the story, some of the accounts are from people with conflicts of interest, and the mayor’s own perspective on the event is different because he wasn’t fully briefed before he went to the press.

    • Polo says:

      The first statement was how dangerous the chase was for those around them. I understood that from the beginning. Though I imagined it could also be dangerous for them which is what everyone jumped to.
      Their security emphasized that in another interview.
      But the media took a narrative a ran like wildfire with it! One even reported there has been a car crash. Smh. Should their team have known that in advance considering this is Diana’s son and crafted a statement accordingly? I don’t know. Maybe. They’ll learn for it and change strategies next time.

      • SURE says:

        I felt the point of the first statement was to discourage media outlets from purchasing any images because of the reckless way in which they were obtained. The motive was to disincentivize dangerous stalkerazzi behaviour but I guess the media don’t want to turn the spotlight on one of their business partners so instead choose to discredit H&M statement.

      • Bee says:

        On the Breakfast Club show, whose studio is along the route, they were saying that building security told them that six or seven parked cars were hit.

        It will be interesting to hear what other witnesses have to say about it. The security experts (the ex secret service man) and even the taxi driver said they’d never seen anything like it, but those aren’t the quotes getting repeated.

        Of course the media is going to softball it; they’re all complicit and they know it.

    • Fifty-50 says:

      Pay attention folks— THIS is how you do victim blaming. Master level.

      “If you hadn’t called the cops, I wouldn’t have to hurt you so much.”

    • hangonamin says:

      I kind of agree with this. I felt like the initial statement was so strong and drew very strong emotions from everyone because it evoked similar feelings of when Diana was chased and killed. So people strung car chase with catastrophic with that and formulated a scene from that. Which I believe was honestly what Harry felt. Then the story evolved and more people downplayed it, and it became the PR team directing and saying “we never said high speed car chase” and “yes no incident happened but it was horrific feeling for them”. Now Harry is marked as the boy who cried wolf and stamping his feet to demand footage from paps. i think the next step is to release the footage to show their side bc the media is going to continue to warp this.

    • Becks1 says:

      Your reaction is exactly what the paparazzi and the tabloid press want.

      Well Harry and Meghan exaggerated, it wasn’t that bad, they cried wolf, their security team was in the wrong, etc.

      Their security team includes an ex Secret Service agent. Do you know the extent of training they have to do in terms of tactical driving? It’s not a 2 hour course.

      People are letting the things OTHER people said – a high speed chase per Adams etc – cloud what we know ACTUALLY happened.

      There was a 2 other chase, with multiple traffic violations. The paps were aggressive. H&M’s driver was driving up to 80 mph on the FDR to try to lose them. They had to go to a police station twice for safety.

      But yeah, their statement was in the wrong. *eyeroll*

      • LeahTheFrench says:

        Becks1, two things can be true at once. As I’ve said, I have no doubt they were terrified. Maybe the chase WASN’T that bad, it may still have FELT horrible for them, considering their experience, history etc… Again, these two things can be true at the same time. Sometimes with PR statements you miss, and you have to engineer a U-turn, adjust the narrative, and it looks like this is what’s happening here. That does not invalidate their feelings in any way, nor does it justify paparazzi getting in their face all the time – especially when Harry and Meghan made sure there would be plenty of opportunities for good photos at the event itself. And it changes nothing to the fact that KP looks absolutely heartless to not have a word of support, or just basic kindness, for them.

      • Bee says:

        They are not “engineering a U turn.” They were concerned for the danger to the general public. The coordinated pursuit did last two hours, even TMZ admits that. Mayor Adams used the phrase high speed, and it was high speed early on, when they were on the JFK.

        This is not at all how paparazzi typically function in the US. However it is exactly how Diana was treated back in the ’90s.

        Harry’s cel phone footage should be interesting. The Backgrid stuff will be subpoena’d in due time.

      • Tan says:

        I agree I don’t know what I like least the downplaying caused by the same tabloid establishment or the mask off situation by some commenters

      • windyriver says:

        @LeahTheFrench – you’ve completely missed the point here. No doubt H&M&D would have been triggered and afraid. But reread the initial statement. It says exactly what they were most worried about – the possibility that the harassment from the dozen or so cars, scooters, and bikes following them, who were running red lights as pedestrians were crossing, going up on sidewalks, etc., would result in a serious accident or collision involving a member of the public. Their security person said exactly the same thing to CNN. In England just the week before, a cop with Sophie’s motorcade hit an older woman, who’s still in a coma.

        In other words, it wasn’t just about them and their own fear. They were being harassed, but ultimately were in a vehicle with security, which was obeying traffic laws, and traveling with a police escort. They didn’t want their special night out to end with injury to someone else.

      • MsIam says:

        @Leah, please stop. I don’t know in what universe driving on sidewalks and running red lights is not “that bad”. These folks were terrorizing the Sussexes and endangering police and pedestrians. The only reason criminal charges haven’t been filed (yet) is because the police haven’t identified these people. But thanks for the statement BACKGRID because now we know where at least some of the paps came from. Next is to find out where those illegally tinted window vehicles came from. There is a trail of breadcrumbs that will lead to whomever is behind this.

      • Becks1 says:

        I don’t know how being chased for 2 hours is anything less than terrifying. Just because the whole thing wasn’t at 80 mph doesn’t mean it wasn’t “that bad.”

        Like I said that’s the tabloid talking point and it’s clearly working with some people.

    • Snuffles says:

      You’re right…you’re about to get your ass handed to you because you are falling for all of the media gaslighting.

      It WAS a chase. It was a RELENTLESS PURSUIT. It didn’t have to be high speed for it to be reckless. Even the mayor said that. The paps DID put the public in danger AND caused damage to private and public property.

      “The fact that a number of people with no stakes in this – the cab driver, the NYC major, NYPD – have different versions or have cast doubts on their version of events is undermining the first statement, and their PR team should not have issued something that could be undermined that way. ”

      The cab driver has a different version because he was only there for 10 minutes of the ordeal and even he said the pap attention was unusually high and something he’d never seen before because NY paps don’t get that crazy. The mayor responded before getting fully briefed and just because he doubted it was a “high speed” chase doesn’t negate the fact that he said even 10 minutes of reckless driving was unacceptable and it reminded him of what happened to Diana. And the NYPD are still investigating the incident so their public relations person could only state the general facts that there was an incident, no one was hurt and that the Sussex’s got home safely.

      Certain press orgs are cherry picking bits and putting them out of context to suit their narrative.

      • Tan says:

        I just wanted to enjoy my Vanderpump Super Bowl for a few days. I cannot deal with the tabloids and some ppl with “good intentions” doubting that the British media and other similar tabloids wants to cause Harry and Meghan harm AGAIN

    • Nic919 says:

      OJ Simpson was in a police chase as well and they barely went the speed limit on the highway for most of it.

      Not a good sign to admit that you fell for the british media spin because if you watched CNN they weren’t downplaying any of this and provided information supporting the statement.

      And of course a totally new handle posts this opinions “questioning” things that match the British media establishment line but pretending to be reasonable.

      Even TMZ pointed out they were in FDR drive at some points and confirmed that scooters and bikes were going on the sidewalk.

      • LeahTheFrench says:

        Hi Nic919,
        I’m not a new handle, I have been posting very regularly on this site, and if you look up my previous comments, you will see they were very supportive of the Sussexes 🙂

      • Nic919 says:

        Yeah that doesn’t make your minimizing of the trauma they experienced any better. Certainly not supportive when you critique PR with talking points pulled straight from right wing and British establishment media.

    • Harper says:

      In the end, the Sussex’s statement won. No one will publish those pursuit photos now; money will be lost and once Mr. Justice Man is done with those involved, they will be singing like canaries. If this leads back to MI6 or KP or BP, the NY press will have zero incentive to protect them.

      But sure, let’s crucify Meghan for using the word catastrophic. It sure got their attention, didn’t it?

      • Shawna says:

        That’s a good point. The statement won them a major score by making people back off the pictures.

      • L4Frimaire says:

        This here. We may split hairs over the wording of the statement but it resulted in those images being poison, no one will touch them, and the Fail and the other tabloid that bought them ended up taking it down. Now Backgrid is trying to justify their pursuit. There was zero public interest in chasing the Sussexes for almost 2 hours, then waiting around while they were at a police station to try to photograph them more. The events happened, there was a lot of confusion, the press has a vested interest in the Sussexes being silenced and discredited. They will take this event, tighten things up and move on. I was upset but now just pissed off. I don’t know what they could have said to appease the trolls. Everything they said happened.

    • Tan says:

      After all the years of abuse and gaslighting and showing how poorly Harry was stalked in afganistan by that bloids and his life being threatened by kidnappers and how Meghan was stalked out of her career and home – wtf am I going to give the serial killers who caused this mess any time of day? They are still lying still playing the same playbook but now it goes global in New York.

    • ChillinginDC says:

      Nah. Their statement per usual was fine. People read into it. You had people saying no way a 2 hour chase happened in New York and nowhere did they say that. No where did they say they were almost harmed, instead they were pointing out the photographers could have injured people. At this point, I wouldn’t step foot to another event in the U.S. again. This is BS.

      • windyriver says:

        @Chilling,a small point – the original Sussex statement said, “The relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours…” Two hour pursuit, two hour chase, whatever. As per CNN, a man whose security business was also contracted to help that night says the Sussex’s group travelled as far south as the 20’s (the ballroom is on 54th) and back up to the 90’s trying to evade the followers before ending up at the precinct on 67th. Well over 70 blocks would’ve taken some time especially as the security person who talked to Max Foster said they were basically adhering to the speed limits, and then they came back south to the police precinct for the brief attempt at the taxi diversion.

        What the initial statement didn’t say was, high speed chase, as was originally broadcast by portions of the media, nor, as you point out, did it say the Sussexes were almost harmed. It was very clear the concern was the danger for members of the public.

      • ChillinginDC says:

        Hi, pursuit is the correct word. Everyone changed it to “chase” which implies they were then speeding all over the place. So once again, the statement was correct everyone was running around reading into it.

    • w says:

      @LeahTheFrench. There is no way to mitigate the actions of the paparazzi in this case. Putting the public in danger as well as victimizing individuals in the name of the press is absolutely a danger to society in general and should be prosecuted.

  27. Flower says:

    Imagine having to deal with this sh!t on your fifth wedding anniversary.

    The focus is no longer on Meghan’s award or this milestone, but rather whether a couple who were harassed for 2 hours are lying ?

    The whole things stinks to high heaven and there are clearly powerful forces involved just like when Diana died.

    How do they think they will possibly get away with this ?

  28. hangonamin says:

    it’s so sad. “she’s smiling” argument is now being spun as well how actress of her. if she was so scared why is she smiling? and if she was afraid, look how much she plays actress and puts a fake smile on for the cameras. now we know she’s a liar. so so sad that nothing she does is right. whoever does her PR needs to do some damage control…this is somehow getting more and more negative for them.

    • Tessa says:

      Diana was smiling when she headed to the limo in front of the Ritz. Her friends said that often indicated Diana was nervous and uncomfortable

      • L4Frimaire says:

        This here. So many women smile when we are nervous or stressed. We see it in seasoned politicians or waitresses. We smile when being cat called or harassed. We smile while being berated at work. Meghan smiled during that last Commonwealth service when Kate , Will and Sophie were so blatantly rude to her. She smiles to use a mask to hide her true feelings and reassure others. They think she’s gonna show how upset she is after dealing with this almost daily for the past years. Don’t think so.

    • Shawna says:

      Yes on the PR! Earn your money, WME.

    • Bobbie says:

      Does WME do PR. or do they just serve as agents to sign deals with?
      It’s so interesting because everything Meghan does she’s accused of PR. Someone says something nice about her…”oh look at that PR.. “
      She sends gift cards..”oh that’s not enough.”
      She donates money..”why is she telling us” (even though the organization announced it).
      They ascribe her every action to PR when she’s just being herself..doing the same things as her pre royal life.

      I just don’t know what she can do when so many people are determined that her very existence is a threat to them. It will take a massive team to redirect the “Meghan hate machine.”

    • Tan says:

      Pls go back to Kate stanning! At least u were more positive when u fake liked that joker

      • hangonamin says:

        @Tan no idea what you are talking about. you want me to be more positive about kate? this has nothing to do with her?

      • Tan says:

        @hangonamin – Oh shoot I am so sorry I posted my comment in the wrong place! 😣 sorry this wasn’t meant for u at all!

    • Penelope Pittstop says:

      Smiling relaxes you. It’s something my grandmother did to cope with the public. She had a first floor powder room mirror with the words “If your face wants to smile, let it. If it doesn’t, make it!” written in lipstick. She put on her lipstick and a smile no matter how shitty or scared she felt.

  29. SURE says:

    These Backgrid lowlifes thinking that they have moral high ground to stand on is laughable.

  30. Jojo says:

    What an obnoxious statement. The vile ‘Meghan was smiling’ part reeks of a19th century rape defence strategy ‘she was asking for it m’lord’. I hope they get sued to destruction by H&M. There must be so much cctv footage and witness statements that the police will be able to obtain and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the footage from Harry’s phone proves useful in identifying criminal activity too. Interesting, but not surprising, to read the post above outlining a Murdoch link to this pap company. Harry really has that bitter, twisted, evil old c u next Tuesday rattled doesn’t he.

    • Tessa says:

      What is vile is how b o t s and derangers use the they asked for it and talking about their karma. It is so gross.

  31. Cel2495 ok says:

    Yeah I very much doubt the letter was “demanding” anything. It’s the first attempt a lawyer has to do as it shows attempt to resolve the matter without the courts… they are gearing up to file a case to have the footage as involve criminal acts and establish how much danger and from whom they were. It’s also a way to find out who was actually behind the chase. I am afraid is a few companies here , TMZ, Blackbird, and the salty island goons. It can only be uncovered by them going after the people who took the footage. Makes sense to me. Many are trying to gaslight them and tell them what they felt was not real and what is in front of them is not either.

    It’s already proven that the relentless chase was indeed 2 hrs in total as they said it was.
    Yes, to their dismay many witnesses have accounted that a few paparazzi were harassing them and following them as well as putting their convoy in jeopardy. So no, they were not lying because they have no reason to.

  32. Blue Nails Betty says:

    Why are paparazzi even allowed to stalk celebrities in their private time? The minute Meghan and Harry left the event their work time was over and they were private citizens on personal time. The paps should have stopped at that point.

    Why are they allowed to follow celebrities when there is no confirmation the celebrities are going to another work event? Or worse, follow them to their home.

    I have never understood this. Also, I’m not talking about celebs who call the paps themselves.

  33. @Margaret says:

    They had their marching orders, that gold dress, and the acclaim it received, has and is triggering exploding heads, and jealousy among the low life losers all over the place. Don’t forget the trials. When I saw harry cheesing and ogling his wife, with love and happiness, the hounds were released. That picture had the tabloids, brf, rr pitching a bitch. It was just to much. Right C&C,, WAnK, tabloids, and all the past sell date experts. I see you whoopie.

  34. MsIam says:

    Murdoch and Fox had a lot of swagger before they got sued and handed over $800 million. With another lawsuit on the horizon. That other agency that Meghan sued talked a lot of crap too before they settled and went out of business. This will not end well for BACKGRID.

  35. Fifty-50 says:

    Welp, I can tell you one thing: that statement by Backgrid wasn’t written by a lawyer— or it was written by a really stupid one.

    In one fell swoop, they stated that they: 1. Know the identities of the people taking the photos; 2. Are presently in contact with them; 3. Purport to represent the photographers by making statements on their behalf; 4. Admit that (regardless of vehicle), there was reckless and dangerous driving which necessitated police intervention; 5. Admit the individuals were taking photographs while driving; 6. Admit that Backgrid reviewed the photographs; 7. Admit that Backgrid made an affirmative decision to purchase them; I could go on and on and on.

    Backgrid should never have issued a statement at all. Instead they decided to insert themselves in the narrative. I’m not even going to comment on the second excerpt responding to H&M’s lawyers. Good luck getting yourself out of the hole you dug, you idiots!

    • Jais says:

      Okay, I’m feeling this. Would love to see this statement take them down.

    • Snuffles says:

      THANK YOU!!! They gave up SO much information!!! I also noticed the fact that they said it was 4 photographers that they were working with. So, that tells me it could be that out of the 12 people following the Sussex’s, it’s possible only 4 were actual paparazzi but the other 8 were not. So, who were the other 8? And why were they driving in blacked out vehicles with obscured license plates?

    • ChillinginDC says:

      Thank you. I was like…so you admit that you did this and knew about it and you think too bad public figures? Have fun with that dude.

    • Petra (Brazen Archetyped Phenomenal Woman) says:

      That was not the wordsmith of a lawyer. I’ll bet good money a lawyer or lawyers are screaming at the team/person who thought it was a good idea to release a public confession.

    • QuiteContrary says:

      I love this for them. Morons.

      H&M have excellent lawyers. And WME isn’t going to take too kindly to this, either.

  36. Noor says:

    Backgrid is emboldened to throw a jibe at Harry’s royalty with a rude and aggressive reply. Who is supporting them or whose hidden hand is at play.

  37. JCallas says:

    Harry and Meghan have gone to NY many times with zero issues. This was retaliation for Harry’s lawsuits. Shame that the American media is more interested in gaslighting than asking questions.

  38. Surly Gale says:

    They admit, via their response, they have pictures. They admit the own the pictures.
    For this round, I think that’s all H’s lawyers needed to achieve.
    Meghan gave them nothing but her ‘game face’. We’ve seen this from her numerous times before, most specifically the night she admitted to H she didn’t want to live any more, cause this would all stop if she wasn’t here. We saw her at the event, pregnant and ‘smiling’. We saw her game face, we did not see her pain, her fright, her fear, her agony.
    Nor would she give them what they wanted during the chase. Instead, she plastered on her game face and let the security specialists handle things. Whether that was done well or not is up for debate. What she was thinking/feeling is not up for debate until she shares what she was thinking/feeling.

  39. Jess says:

    I can tell you right now that NYPD does not care about this. It’s unfortunate how misinformed so many people seem to be on the statement released and what was actually said. For other, mostly white people, to downplay the entire situation when people usually always criticize the paps is terrible.

  40. Rapunzel says:

    So much defensiveness. From backgrid, from the Fail (which had about 6 shrieking articles calling the Sussexes liars), from the paparazzi. What are all these folks getting so defensive for? This is the question. And the answer is they know what they did and how it was wrong. They are getting called out and hit dogs will holler. It’s all been clearly coordinated.

  41. Edna X Mode says:

    i find it hard to believe the english would try this in NYC because of 9-11. i also find it odd that NYC /mayor etc haven’t made a stronger statement .

    and i know that like europe that nyc has a LOT of technical surveillance all over the public streets. And one of you all mentioned the UN! too right. I just can’t believe the cops didn’t have ability to stop one of these blackened out vehicles and make the people identify themselves.
    and again 9-11 being caused by foriegn nationals. this crazy chase and hunting of the DDs Sussex must be causing a lot of activiity behind the scenes from the government local and state and fed, right???

    • Snuffles says:

      I can, the British tabloids have shown time and time again they are just that STUPID and DESPERATE. Not to mention they are completely ignorant to how anything works in the US. They can’t even get our geography right.

    • Jaded says:

      Well the English tabloid scum is capable of anything from breaking into someone’s home to hacking phones to planting tracking devices on their cars. Diana got chased to her death by a rabid pack of paps. I firmly believe the paps hired professional drivers (Americans) because they were given a sh*t ton of money to get the Sussex’s location where they were staying even if it meant chasing them to their deaths. This time they went wayyyyyy too far and come hell or high water Harry will sue Backgrid for the videos and photos, and hopefully the drivers and paps for gross reckless driving and endangerment of lives.

  42. Maxine Branch says:

    The truth will prevail. Demon lies will fail, pictures will surface and the gutter thrash spewing it will try to justify their lies from another angle. We have all seen this before. Harry’s book has left them all God smacked with his truths. They have jumped on this debacle with the paparazzi because they feel it justifies their attacks on the Sussexes and hopes this keeps them out of the public eye. But this too shall fail.

  43. thaisajs says:

    As a former reporter, this one really hits me the wrong way. Demanding to see notes or photos or all video etc is just not going to get you what you want in the US. I imagine a lawsuit is coming and if they want to do that and demand the agency preserve the videos, photos etc for the suit, that’s a different matter. Do that. But just demanding the agency (whose photographers acted in a really reckless way, sounds like) turn over everything just ain’t gonna happen.

    • ChillinginDC says:

      I don’t believe Backgrid or that their attorney would even do that. Come on. Harry and Meghan have won how many lawsuits. Everyone I see is saying they were informed they needed to preserve the photos, information, etc.

    • Jay says:

      But @thaisajs, we haven’t actually seen the request/ demand from the Sussexes yet – only the agency’s response, which is worded in a deliberately inflammatory way. Even if they are 99% sure that the agency will deny the request as you mention, I think it makes sense to ask anyway, just to see if it could be resolved in a show of good faith. And to make sure they don’t destroy any evidence.

      I’m not familiar with these kinds of things, but I’m damn sure that by now the Sussexes’ lawyers are.

    • Little Red says:

      Well, as a former reporter, I would think you would be more cognizant that you only know one side of the exchange. Good thing you’re a “former” reporter.

    • Agreateckoning says:

      I’m shocked that , you, @thaisajs, as a former reporter, isn’t questioning the statement put out by Backgrid more? That’s where the sloppiness lies.

  44. GDubslady says:

    The Sussexes protected themselves and their little ones from harm. That’s all that matters. Questioning how chased they were is ridiculous on the part of media growing ever more right wing. Murdoch’s empire is doomed. Smartmantic and UK case and his aging, dying viewers point to its end. Harry and Meghan just need to keep standing and pushing through. They represent the future. Harry said it. The ROTA, the monarchy, news for old biggots aren’t sustainable business models.

  45. Steph says:

    I was super busy yesterday but a lot of it was getting from one place to the other. I had time to think about a lot of things, including this chase. @kaiser seems to be implying one of my thoughts: these people were prepaid. The way I assumed Backgrid worked was that any pap could show up at any event/place, get whatever photos/videos they could, upload em to the site and hope someone bites. I assumed this bc there is no way to guarantee a money shot so no one would pay in advance.
    So I think the BM had advanced tasks with Backgrid with a guaranteed payout who then hired ppl specifically for this. Which is creepy. To add to this, I saw the text from one of the two BM articles that got pulled. They got these photos from the chase EARLY and went to print. Hrs before any others were released bc they described Meg’s gown as a gold “mini dress.” I think there was an attempted narrative there too (they stalk her enough to know she doesn’t wear short gowns) but to get it so obviously wrong, tells me they were waiting on the specific shots from the chase. Also, the titles were despicable. Pre written for sure.

    • kirk says:

      It’s entirely possible the pap pursuants have more than one paymaster. Backgrid probably has exclusivity or some other noncompete type language on pix they buy. But that wouldn’t stop anybody else from prepaying a gang of aggressive British paps to pursue the couple. People most likely to prepay for the chaos want the distraction from other news.

  46. L4Frimaire says:

    No one is gonna but those tainted photos now. I also think they lied about why they were trailing them so aggressively for 2 hours because if they were going to a restaurant, they would have gone to the restaurant, not try to lose them and stop at a police station . They were trying to find their residence. Backgrid’s latest statement to Harry’s lawyer sounds like trash talking and bravado. This whole event is just bringing out the worst sort of crazy. I really hope this gets resolved and put behind them because this has really become a dark cloud over the couple and it’s really frustrating how people are quick to believe the craziest conspiracies rather than admit they were in a truly scary situation that could have turned out really badly.

  47. JanetDR says:

    I found myself completely unable to comment on this yesterday because it’s so upsetting. It is so difficult to think of them in danger. Surrounding them in light 💗💗💗💗💗

    • L4Frimaire says:

      I was really upset as well and thought this was such a downer for their anniversary, especially with all the vitriol aimed at them calling them liars. Was deeply upsetting. Also upset with others saying they need to hide out for the next year, fire their comms team, etc, etc. I think more clear heads are starting to prevail today and this will be resolved. The UK press is always gonna invite hate but there will not be a repeat of what happened in New York.

  48. OriginalMich says:

    I’m assuming the “smile” is her politely acknowledging something someone in the front seat (the driver or someone else) said. A brief flash of a moment that the constantly clicking cameras caught.

    • Caribbean says:

      There was a tweet about her smiling AN HOUR into the chase…this was said like they were outing her…SMH, don’t the idiots realize they have confirmed some of what H&M are saying (not that I need confirmation) Who follows someone for ONE HOUR OR MORE and then decide it’s ok????

  49. aquarius64 says:

    The paps are downplaying this because there is a fear of criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits. The photogs are working the refs

  50. Lizzie says:

    Yeah, I am sure H&M’s lawyers worded the request perfectly. I don’t trust what this shady company is saying but I trust H&M’s WINNING lawyers completely.

  51. JJ says:

    This situation has been difficult because seeing the gaslighting in real-time is disconcerting. I am someone who smiles a nervous smile when I am stressed and it looks to me that is what Meghan is doing. Members of their security said how dangerous it was and I think Harry should release his recordings of the chase but hopefully their publicist can find the best way forward because this is a mess.

    • equality says:

      Yes, some people do smile when nervous. Photos can also be manipulated to change someone’s facial expression.

  52. AC says:

    Yeah the paps are afraid esp if they Broke the law(which CNN also alluded to on Wed) and put the public in danger as the security team claimed. If that’s the case and it’s confirmed there were some real threat to the public they would eventually need to turn the videos and photos over to law enforcement.
    I also heard from a morning talk radio show yesterday that ground security witnessed the paparazzi before the event driving around hitting parked cars.
    No matter what the BRF and BP do there’s still a lot of support for HM #LoveWins for HM was trending last night . And so was #toxicbritishmedia. #CamillaTomineyisaliar #toxicbritishpress is trending now .LOL.. The BM and BRF hate campaign to discredit HM has backfired.. LOL
    That’s what I mentioned yesterday too, both the BP and BRF made a very big mistake trying to do their shady dealings here on US soil. We esp don’t like foreigners trying to hurt or threaten Americans on our home turf.

  53. sammi says:

    Have you seen James Barr on Nikki Campbell BBC Five Live Radio really giving it to the bunch of stupid callers saying ‘they asked for it as they are out there showing off’ and he said would you say that to Princess Diana’s famil the day she died? They were not able to answer.

  54. Saucy&Sassy says:

    What I think is the NYPD had better be investigating. This city is one where celebrities, diplomats and head of state appear. I would think their reputation is on the line. Meghan will be in NYC for the Gracie Award. Will there be a repeat? Will the Police do anything differently?

    There’s so much news coverage that I think that even if NYPD didn’t want to investigate, they will have to. Harry & his bodyguard turned over their video. You’ve got people saying (radio?) that 6-7 cars were hit by the paparazzi. They said they almost hit pedestrians and two police officers. There were blacked out windows in the SUVs and covered license plates. There’s plenty of evidence to be found if anyone bothers to do so.

    Does NYC want someone to be hurt before they pursue this seriously? Let’s hope not.

    • ChillinginDC says:

      I don’t think Meghan is going to come for Gracie now. Or if she does, no red carpet, nothing and they are going to make sure people can’t follow them. Whole thing is a mess.

      • Polo says:

        The Gracie awards are in California so she won’t have to worry about that. I definitely think she’ll go on her own or bring a friend.

      • Jais says:

        Idk. I think she’ll still go. She has the right to go and get an award and I think they’ll be extra about security. But idk, we’ll see.

      • Jais says:

        Saw this clip on Twitter and love the woman on it, Yasmin- Alibhai Brown. When the man says Meghan should just withdraw from public life, she asks him if Meghan should then just join a nunnery. She makes the point that Meghan has the right to go shopping, go out with her kids and go out to receive awards for her work. The Gracie award connects specifically to her work on Archetypes. Hopefully the link works.

        https://twitter.com/queenrmade1/status/1659253977861746688?s=46&t=Y0OeEXif8mMcMgPE2AExEQ

      • Agreatreckoning says:

        @Jais, thank you for that link. Yasmin Alibhai-Brown(sp?) was awesome. Middle aged white dude not awesome. “They should withdraw from public life.”. GTFOH

        Other guy, referencing the cameras clicking being a trigger for Harry. To other guy and the others that need to hear it, when you are out doing a public event, the clicks of the camera are expected-whether you are famous or not. When you are just going about your private life and the clicks of the camera happen, unexpectedly, a completely different thing. We all are entitled to privacy. Unless you ARE doing something wrong and meeting with nefarious persons and are putting out a completely different image.

        I think Meghan will still go to. Different laws of the land (state). Article from the LA Times from June 2005. The name of ‘agency president Boris Nizon’ comes up. Nizon, at the time, was president of FameFlynet. After a merger in 2017 with London based Xposure & AKM-GSI, the three agencies became Backgrid. First office was in Australia, 2nd in Germany. March 18, 2014. Xposure’s Dan Taylor, son of founder David Taylor (LONDON BASED, did an interview regarding the then merger with AKM-GSI). It ended with the reveal that that the previous week’s best selling photos were: Liz Hurley and her new man and Pince Harry with Cressida. If you read SPARE, you’d recognize Harry talking about his romantic relationship with Cressida being outed in March 2014. Thanks to Xposure/BM. (Harry didn’t write that in SPARE). I have no idea if it’s him or not, David Taylor and and at least one of his son’s fits the description of Tweedle Dumb in SPARE.

  55. CheChe says:

    The picture of Meghan leaving the awards ceremony is off the charts gorgeous! She has a looks and an aura that defies words.

  56. Tree says:

    Why does this feel like the same energy after they released their Netflix episode? Or after Spare? There were so many journalists and tv commentators rushing to say negative things about Harry and Meghan. Eventually it all calmed down and you started to get actual journalists giving good reviews. It feels the same this time except it’s a mix. There’s so much support for them, tons of viral tweets of support but there’s sections of the media that are doing the same thing post Spare, Netflix and Oprah!

    I genuinely wonder how differently Harry and Meghan can approach media? I feel like there’s journalists that have it out for them so it won’t matter what they do?

    Anyways this too shall pass just like every other contrived controversy around them. I hope they don’t hide either. Looking forward to seeing Meghan on Tuesday.

  57. Jk says:

    I’m sure Harry has the best lawyers that money can buy and they will pursue this aggressively. I bet there are plenty of witnesses who are already talking to the police.

  58. CM says:

    The entire thing is sickening and I too have a pit in stomach for H&M. Some of the media attention is probably “normal” but some it is giving very orchestrated and retaliatory vibes. There seems to be a price on their heads and it’s extremely scary.

  59. 411fromdownunder says:

    They can take them to court and obtain all the video in discovery. I suspect the response was addressing cherry picked parts of the cease and desist letter too. Even the arrogance of, “in America…” phrase, being so pointed towards H is an act to demean or gaslight everyone. H is living in America, M is American, their lawyers and the firm they are from are American and they are fully aware of what American laws are.

    • Nic919 says:

      It’s a letter that will be place before an American judge too. It’s why I agree with those above that a real lawyer didn’t write this response. A general rule of thumb is that any letter you write in a dispute will end up in a motion record before a judge.

  60. LadyBreenie says:

    “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.”

    Back(side)grid are talking nonsense. What is newsworthy about photographing Harry and Meghan on their way home! The event is the newsworthy piece. These paps wanted to cause an accident or try and provoke Harry and Meghan to get angry and get it on film. The paps and tabloids are atrocious trash. Serves them right, I’m glad that they are struggling to sell the photos. I hope they back off now.

  61. Freddi says:

    Lord I just want Harry and Meghan to be recognized for their work, charities and fun things they are doing. Tired of the royals drama and the British medias constant hot takes forever drumming up hate towards Harry, Meghan, Doria and their kids.

  62. j.ferber says:

    The bottom line is this must never happen again. Re-vamp their whole security structure. Call in top of the line people, who have protected presidents, etc. Hire ex-Mossad, ex-Secret Service, etc. (but NOT ex-MI6 for obvious reasons). The British government want to see H and K either dead or coerced into returning to England (or maybe just Harry returning and abandoning his family). NONE of this is okay. But they need to be pro-active to protect themselves. This cannot stand.

    • Caribbean says:

      All the so-called backlash is just people desperately trying to call them liers. Trying to say they have always been liers, so they are desperately trying to say this was just an exaggeration. Meaning what happened to them in England didn’t. I am not sure what these people will get at the end
      They have a target and decide they will not let up. This has been 5 years nonstop.
      I wonder if people or celebs out there is wondering who is next.
      They left and still that isn’t enough.

  63. tamsin says:

    I just read that the NYPD do not intend any further investigation into the incident. So people driving in SUV’s with blacked out license plates is not a problem? Hitting parked cars and endangering police officers don’t warrant further invistigation? Mmm. I can’t see Harry and his security not persuing this further.

    • kirk says:

      “So people driving in SUV’s with blacked out license plates is not a problem?” Sounds problematic to me, but I’ll leave it to NYPD to direct their limited resources based on their own threat assessments. Hopefully there’s private CCTV footage for the people whose cars were damaged by the circling vultures, or maybe Harry’s footage will be useful. As for Backgrid’s mealy-mouthed BS, “important to note that these photographers have a professional responsibility to cover newsworthy events and personalities…” there is absolutely no responsibility, professional or otherwise, for them to do what they’re doing. Backgrid’s PRETENSE is there’s some violable code of pap ethics similar to that of professionally licensed accountants, attorneys, doctors or engineers? Please. BTW internet sleuth has found the guy screaming about BRF at H-M events:
      https://www.tiktok.com/@stilldrereacts/video/7234991532133240110?embed_source=71223856%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=s9e.github.io%2F&referer_video_id=7234991532133240110

      • Agreatreckoning says:

        Thanks for the link. I love that that the tik tok gentlemen said he was wrong/mistaken? and expressed apologies. Could you imagine a BM/RR doing that with the multitudes of things they were wrong about? They double down on their wrongness. No journalistic integrity or ethics with them.

      • Agreatreckoning says:

        @kirk, great link. looks I messed up posting with my previous response. It’s not showing up. I’ve been going back and forth with something else. Interesting story about Jae Donnelly from 2012. Sitting outside Katie Holmes & Suri’s apartment for 3 hours to get a picture! That’s what stalkers do or what police do while investigating someone (which is okay with me – re police). so gross
        https://www.wnyc.org/story/245451-jae-donnelly-new-york-paparazzo-suri-katie-holmes/

        @tamsin, where did you read that? I read it in New York mag and took with a grain of salt. The highlighted area didn’t take you to a police statement – haven’t read everything though. It doesn’t mean an investigation isn’t happening with any other agency if what NY mag stated comes to be true. If it’s discovered the chasers crossed over any federal property….????

  64. AC says:

    I just read from Newsweek that Harry turned over his video recording to NYPD for further investigation.
    On a morning radio show, it was mentioned that ground security witnessed the paps were hitting parked cars. I know if my parked car was the one hit by the paps that night I would want to get damages from them. Considering none of the media are currently releasing these pap photos or footage of what happened after the event, I think it’s still under investigation as it could be evidence that the paps broke the law. Even CNN alluded they may have broken the law based on info from the security team and CNN’s senior security analyst(a former security for Counterterrorism) who provided the timeline of events. Will prob know more in the next couple days/couple of weeks. Who knows if it’s being investigated beyond NYPD. They’re going to stay quiet until they get Facts.
    To me it’s extremely suspicious there’s a specific segment of the press who hardly mentions the security team who actually knows what happened but only highlighted a naive taxi driver who was there for a few minutes 🙄. And the BP and their incompetent twin the Australian Press only interviews MAGAs who never liked HM in the first place.. 🙄..

    • Saucy&Sassy says:

      AC, I continue to think this is not a good look for NYC. They deal with a lot of high profile people, and they need to show that they can continue to keep them safe. I don’t believe that ignoring this and sweeping it under the carpet is possible for them. They will have to investigate. Harry and his security team aren’t going to let them sweep it under the able either. The people chasing them that night made some big mistakes. It makes you wonder why they were willing to hit cars, almost hit pedestrians and police officers? Why?

    • kirk says:

      Brit media is fairly skilled at directing attention away from themselves. Remember how they got UK ppl riled up about ‘where’s the queen?’ when public started getting upset about intrusive media and paps after Diana death? Same here. Who is it seeking out taxi driver who had H-M in his car for 10 mins (0.83 of 2-hrs), as representative of the whole chase?
      Who is it seeking out supposed paparazzo to tell ‘their side’ of the story, but who keeps their back to camera and never reveals their name?

  65. CheChe says:

    Putting aside the Harry and Meghan pursuit aspect…isn’t it illegal to drive around with hidden license plates ? What type of law enforcement in a major city like NYC shrugs off a reported incident of harassment with no further investigation? So many questions surrounding this incident hopefully suggests some behind the scenes work is still happening.

  66. Tessa says:

    The sudden change in the news (playing down the story) IMO is quite disturbing. It generates “bot” comments that they “staged it” which seems like highly intensive gaslighting. So if anything like this happens again, it would be dismissed ,saying they are just making it up.

  67. Scm154 says:

    My apologies if this has already been mentioned, but it has come to light today that according to @OnaWhim, “A photographer said a booking sheet sheet went out by UK Media. $20k for a photo inside the car & $60K if Harry looked angry.”
    Can you imagine the amount of money a pap could get for Meghan or Doria looking frightened much less crying in the cab?
    Good for Meghan that she sat there so serenely and composed with a smile as Doria calmly looked down.

  68. AC says:

    @saucy&sassy agree it’s not a good look for NYC.
    @kirk that’s what I was watching live on CNN on Wed also. It’s funny because I haven’t been watching that network since the new owners took over.
    It was interesting to me that a lot of the media only highlighted the taxi driver story and decided to leave the important details out on Wed. One of the big reasons why this was downplayed . But I’m glad the CNN details is circulating around SM now. I don’t think former members of the FBI and SS would Make up stories.
    Truth will always come out eventually.

  69. j.ferber says:

    I’m not a lawyer, so perhaps some of the Celebitches who are can help me out. Since a crime was committed against the Sussexes, doesn’t law enforcement have the right to demand evidence pertaining to the crime (with a warrant, injunction, whatever)?

  70. ales says:

    Harry is due in court next week suing the media alongside other famous people, what perfect timing to destroy his credibility. How can he be believed as a witness when the whole world states that he is a liar. The relentless attacks on Harry and Meghan on social media are alarming, the intentional hate being bred by UK posters/trolls/bots is dangerous and has increased in the past few days. The truth is no longer relevant in socalled journalism in the USA, UK and Australia, any lie will do. Murdoch owns the majority of all Australian media, 60% plus, there is definitely no impartiality there, in the UK aside from other media, he owns The Sun the BRF favorite, in the USA the tentacles of Murdoch media seem to reach into everything.

  71. AC says:

    I still think though that the BP made a big mistake trying to do their shady dealings in the US. I also don’t think they realized HM security detail included former secret service or FBI, (and agree) who were able to foil the paps original plan. As I mentioned before, things happen for a reason. In time, will prob get to see more in detail a visual aspect of what happened via that video recording . Which is currently evidence if they broke the law and can press charges. If I had to guess one of the US news outlets will prob have that exclusive, and for sure there will be a fallout.
    At this point, if the the paps or whoever were to do this stunt again, there’s just too many people here that would call them out (with the BP being the root cause of all the toxicity) . We’re stereotyped as being loud Americans for a reason . And there’s still some segments of the US media that’s not bowing to the BP, while it seems the rest of the BP are propaganda for the BRF.