Shocked by the public's response to the car chase, Markle missed the Gracie Awards

The Gracie Awards in Beverly Hills were supposed to honor Meghan Markle for her podcast Archetypes. However, Meghan opted not to attend just a week after she and Prince Harry were involved in a car chase by paparazzi that was “near catastrophic,” according to their rep. Moreover, the next morning, as news spread of her absence, considering the number of people and outlets casting doubt on their story, Us Weekly published a report describing how she and Harry feel about the public response to their car chase.

According to a source, they were deeply shocked by the incident. The source emphasized that their account of the car chase was not exaggerated, and they find it extremely hurtful and inappropriate for people to suggest otherwise. Furthermore, they refuse to be intimidated into silence by the public's treatment of them. The source explained that they will not hide or be afraid to show their faces, as this experience has only strengthened their determination to stand up for themselves and speak out when they feel wronged. Following the two-hour chase that occurred after Harry and Meghan attended the Ms. Foundation's Women of Vision Awards, where Meghan received an honor, the couple's representative released a statement last Wednesday.

The representative, as reported by Variety, stated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland were involved in a car chase because of highly aggressive paparazzi. A spokesperson for the couple, Ashley Hansen, later spoke more in detail to the New York Times about claims that the couple staged the car chase.

Before the car chase in New York City, it was highlighted by the newspaper that Prince Harry's lawyer had appeared in a London court. According to the Associated Press, the lawyer argued that Harry should have the right to challenge a government decision that denied him the ability to pay for police protection during his visits to the U.K.

However, the court ultimately rejected Harry's request for an appeal. Hansen, who spoke out against the notion that the chase was planned, firmly said that knowing the history of Harry's family (he referred to Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris), it would be unreasonable to think that this incident was any kind of PR stunt. Hansen expressed his strong disapproval of such a suggestion, stating that he found it terrible.

The Gracie Awards were established in 1975, with the 48th anniversary occurring in 2023. All Gracie Awards events are held on the West Coast, with the Gracie Gala, and on the East Coast, with the Gracie Luncheon. These highly anticipated occasions bring together influential women who have been at the forefront of driving media advancements, as well as those who are trailblazing the way for the future. The events are adorned with renowned personalities, adding a touch of glamour to the celebration.