Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spend $2 million a year on security — but even that didn’t provide them protection from a “near-fatal” car chase.
Sources previously told Pvnew that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid the hefty price tag to protect themselves and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after the royal family took away their bodyguards.
Private security is so important to the couple that Harry even took legal action against British authorities last year after being blocked under UK law from having private armed guards with him in England.
Photographs recently showed Kim Kardashian’s former bodyguard following Markle on a hike.
The redheaded royal also has said that private security is one reason for his quest to sign lucrative deals in the US, where he has lived since he and Markle quit their royal duties in 2020.
Security experts told Forbes in 2021 that Harry and the “Suits” alum’s around-the-clock guards could have even cost up to $3 million.
Pvnew reported early Wednesday that Harry, 38, and Markle, 41, were left “extremely upset and shaken” after being involved in a “near-catastrophic” two-hour paparazzi chase in New York City Tuesday evening.
The pair, as well as the former actress’ mom, Doria Ragland, had been traveling in a car after an awards gala at 10 p.m. and were chased down by paps, causing them to switch into a yellow cab with hopes of evading the cameramen.
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“Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi,” a spokesperson for the Sussexes told Pvnew.
“This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers.
“While being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety.”
A representative for the New York City Police Department, however, released a statement that challenged some of the Sussexes’ claims.
“There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging,” a police spokesperson recalled of the ordeal.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination, and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests in regard.”
Mayor Eric Adams also spoke out, saying in part that two police officers “could have been injured.”
As of Wednesday morning, it was unclear when Harry and Markle would be heading back to their home in Montecito, Calif., where they live with 4-year-old Archie and 1-year-old Lilibet.
