May 20, 2023May 20, 2023

You’re not our royal – US firm dismisses Harry and Meghan demand to hand over pictures

Posted By: Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team

An American photo agency has dismissed a demand by Harry and Meghan to hand over pictures from what they claimed was a ‘near catastrophic’ car chase with paparazzi in New York this week.

Backgrid USA reportedly said the prince’s ‘English rules of royal prerogative to demand that the citizenry hand over their property to the Crown were rejected by this country long ago’.

The agency has confirmed it received photos and footage from four freelance photographers – three of whom were in cars and one riding a bicycle – taken on Tuesday night, May 16.

But it has rejected claims by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of a ‘near catastrophic’ car chase through Manhattan’s Upper East Side after the couple appeared at an awards ceremony.

US gossip website TMZ on Thursday published details of the legal tit-for-tat, including part of a letter sent to Backgrid by the Sussexes’ lawyers.

It reportedly read: ‘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.’

They are also pushing the New York Police Department to investigate, according to reports. The Mail has sought comment from the Sussexes’ legal team in the UK.

Backgrid firmly rejected the request to hand over footage. TMZ carried an excerpt from the agency’s legal response, which said: ‘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.

‘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.’

Backgrid added: ‘We stand by our founding fathers.’

The agency said it had launched its own investigation as it did not ‘condone any form of harassment or illegal activity’. But it has also said the photographers on Tuesday night ‘had no intention of causing any distress or harm, as their only tool was their cameras’.

Security officers working for the couple have said they feared for the safety of members of the public who were caught up in what they maintain was a frightening incident.

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Sussexes said: ‘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.’

The incident happened after the couple attended the Women of Vision awards ceremony.

Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team

Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is the team responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing news and feature content on Julian Daily Gist. Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, and responsibly sourced information. The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team researches, writes, edits, and publishes news and feature content covering Nigerian current affairs, entertainment, sports, health, business, lifestyle, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide accurate, timely, and responsibly sourced information and update our reports when credible new information becomes available. The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content across Julian Daily Gist. Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, useful, and responsibly sourced information. Our team makes reasonable efforts to verify important information, identify sources, distinguish allegations from confirmed facts, and update reports when credible new information becomes available. We also believe in transparency and accountability. Readers can contact our editorial team to report factual errors, request corrections, or provide additional information relevant to a published story. Editorial focus: News, current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories. Team BIo: The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content across Julian Daily Gist. Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, useful, and responsibly sourced information. Our team makes reasonable efforts to verify important information, identify sources, distinguish allegations from confirmed facts, and update reports when credible new information becomes available. We also believe in transparency and accountability. Readers can contact our editorial team to report factual errors, request corrections, or provide additional information relevant to a published story. Editorial focus: News, current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories. Editorial Policy: At Julian Daily Gist, our goal is to provide readers with timely, useful, accurate, and responsibly presented news and information. We cover Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, human-interest stories, and other topics of interest to our readers. 1. Accuracy and Verification We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information published on Julian Daily Gist is accurate and presented in its proper context. Before publishing a report, our editorial team makes reasonable efforts to: - Check information against credible sources. - Verify names, dates, locations, figures, and other important details. - Attribute information to the appropriate source. - Distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, claims, opinions, and speculation. - Update stories when credible new information becomes available. When information cannot be independently verified, we make this clear to readers rather than presenting it as established fact. 2. Sources We use a range of sources, including: - Official government statements. - Police and security agencies. - Courts and legal documents. - Government agencies. - Direct interviews and statements. - Reputable news organizations. - Publicly available records. - Verified social media accounts and statements. When an article relies substantially on information reported by another publication, we aim to clearly attribute the information to that source. We do not intentionally present another publication's reporting as our own. 3. Originality Julian Daily Gist aims to provide original editorial value. When we report information that has already been published elsewhere, we seek to add value through original writing, context, verification, analysis, additional information, or other useful material. We do not intentionally copy and republish articles from other websites without appropriate attribution and meaningful editorial contribution. 4. Allegations and Sensitive Claims When reporting allegations involving individuals or organizations, we make reasonable efforts to clearly identify allegations as allegations. We avoid presenting unproven accusations as established facts. Where relevant, we seek or include responses from the person, organization, or representative concerned. For criminal matters, we recognize that an allegation, arrest, charge, or accusation does not by itself establish guilt. 5. Headlines Our headlines are intended to accurately reflect the content of our articles. We aim to avoid deliberately misleading headlines, fabricated claims, or headlines that exaggerate facts simply to generate clicks. 6. Corrections and Updates We take corrections seriously. If we discover that an article contains a significant factual error, we may correct or update the article as appropriate. Readers who identify an error are encouraged to contact us with specific information supporting the correction. Where appropriate, significant corrections or updates may be noted within the article. 7. Editorial Independence Editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners, and other external interests. Advertising or sponsorship does not automatically influence our editorial decisions or the opinions expressed by our writers. 8. Sponsored and Promotional Content Where Julian Daily Gist publishes sponsored, paid, or promotional content, we aim to clearly identify it as such. Sponsored content does not necessarily represent the independent editorial views of Julian Daily Gist. 9. Conflicts of Interest Our editorial team should avoid situations where personal, financial, or other interests could improperly influence reporting. Where a relevant conflict of interest exists, we aim to disclose it when appropriate. 10. Use of Images and Other Media We aim to use images, videos, graphics, and other media responsibly and with appropriate permission, licensing, attribution, or other lawful basis where required. We do not knowingly use copyrighted material in a manner that infringes the rights of its owner. If you believe that material published on Julian Daily Gist infringes your copyright, please contact us so that we can review the matter. 11. Artificial Intelligence We may use technology and artificial intelligence tools to assist with certain editorial tasks, such as research support, proofreading, formatting, transcription, or drafting assistance. However, AI-generated information is not treated as automatically accurate. Content remains subject to human review, editing, fact-checking, and editorial judgment before publication where appropriate. We do not intentionally publish fabricated information generated by AI. 12. Privacy and Personal Information We take reasonable care when handling personal information and avoid publishing unnecessary private information about individuals. Sensitive personal information is published only when there is a legitimate public-interest reason and where appropriate. Our handling of visitor information is explained in our Privacy Policy. 13. Opinion and Commentary Opinion articles and commentary represent the views expressed by the respective writer or contributor. Where appropriate, opinion content will be identified as commentary, analysis, or opinion so that readers can distinguish it from straightforward news reporting. 14. User-Generated Content Comments and other material submitted by readers may be moderated. We reserve the right to remove content that is unlawful, defamatory, abusive, discriminatory, misleading, threatening, spam-related, or otherwise inappropriate. User comments do not necessarily represent the views of Julian Daily Gist. 15. Our Commitment We are committed to improving the quality, accuracy, transparency, and usefulness of Julian Daily Gist. As our publication grows, we will continue reviewing our editorial practices and updating this policy when necessary. 16. Contact and Corrections If you have a correction, clarification, complaint, copyright concern, or question about our editorial practices, please contact us through our Contact Us page.