Princess Diana’s former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, defended the paparazzi accused of creating a “near-catastrophic” situation for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in New York on Tuesday.
Wharfe joined Piers Morgan on ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” Thursday, and spoke about the perceived threat from the paparazzi in the allegedly dangerous incident.
“What I’m confused with is this sort of ‘near catastrophic’ … yeah, I mean, to me, what I see is quite normal for that sort of event,” Wharfe began. “I mean, here [Harry] is, you know, a major A-lister, whatever he is, in New York, being pursued by the paparazzi — which is normal.” (RELATED: Spokesperson Claims Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Were Involved In ‘Near Catastrophic Car Chase’ In Manhattan)
Wharfe cast doubt on the qualifications of Harry’s security team. “Harry and Megan must have expected this to happen. I mean, you know, you’ve got this sort of private security business or company … who clearly – this is something new to them. Because from what I observed, they were unable to deal with this problem,” he said.
“It’s obvious to me that the security company looking after him, they really don’t have the experience to deal with someone as high profile [as] him.”
Wharfe also threw some responsibility toward Harry himself, saying, “He knows, more than anybody else, the role of the paparazzi. He knows that they will pursue him.”
“Welcome to being a public figure. Grow up!”
.@MegynKelly unloads on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s paparazzi ploy. Watch the FULL clip – https://t.co/ORfuXmkoLi pic.twitter.com/sG0qo8bc9E
— The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) May 17, 2023
As far as his own perception of the situation, Wharfe referred to the paparazzi as being “a nuisance factor.” (RELATED: ‘I Don’t Think I Would Call It A Chase’: NYC Taxi Driver Speaks Out About Prince Harry And Meghan’s Alleged Incident)
“Look, the paparazzi don’t kill people,” he continued. “You know, we know what the jargon was in the case of Diana’s inquest, where the [coroner Lord Justice] Scott Baker said … a contributing factor were [sic] the pursuit of paparazzi. But they actually don’t kill people.”
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed the couple were subjected to a “relentless pursuit” in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday night.