Prince Harry reportedly pressured New York police to expedite their investigation and make arrests following the “high-speed” car chase involving him, Meghan Markle, and her mother, Doria Ragland, last year. The Duke of Sussex is said to have suspected a “cover-up,” as revealed in letters and emails obtained by the Daily Mail.
According to the publication, Harry grew “suspicious” of how the incident was being handled and felt misled by the authorities. One message from his security company, TorchStone, to the New York Police Department stated:
“The Duke [of Sussex] feels intentionally misled and is suspicious of a cover-up.”
Harry reportedly demanded arrests the day after the incident and even threatened to file an official complaint. This push for action followed two letters sent by John Hart, the NYPD’s top intelligence officer, to police in London. The first letter, sent three months after the incident in September 2023, stated there was insufficient evidence for arrests. However, a second letter, dated December 6, 2023, indicated that enough evidence had since been gathered.
Despite Harry’s insistence, no arrests have been made in connection with the event, which occurred on May 16, 2023, after the couple left the Ms. Foundation for Women of Vision Awards at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Harry’s frustration with the investigation’s pace was highlighted in an email from TorchStone, stating he felt “intentionally misled.”
Chris Sanchez, a member of Meghan and Harry’s security team, described the incident to CNN as “chaotic,” emphasizing that it “could have been fatal.” He alleged that aggressive photographers had jumped curbs and run red lights during the pursuit. Footage shared by TMZ captured moments of the chase, including the Duke and Duchess briefly riding in a taxi.
The incident unfolded just days after Harry attended King Charles’s Coronation solo, adding further tension to an already fraught period for the Sussexes.