PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle were involved in a “near catastrophic” car chase while being followed by paparazzi in New York, the couple’s spokesperson said. 

They were in the city on Tuesday with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, for an event at which Meghan received an award.

The three of them are said to have been subjected to a “relentless pursuit” involving half a dozen blacked out vehicles.

READ MORE: The key revelations about UK royals from Prince Harry's book Spare

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: “Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi.

“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.

“Dissemination of these images, given the ways in which they were obtained, encourages a highly intrusive practice that is dangerous to all in involved.” 

It is understood that Harry, Meghan and Ragland were staying at a private residence and did not want to compromise the security of their friend’s home.

The trio had been at the Foundation for Women’s 50th anniversary gala event which honoured “game-changing” grantee partners and visionary leaders committed to the organisation’s mission of “advancing collective power and creating safe, just and equitable futures for women, girls, and gender-expansive people”.

Meghan received the Foundation’s Women of Vision Award, recognising her “global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls”.

It was Harry and Meghan’s first public appearance together since the duchess’s absence at the King’s coronation earlier this month.