Sussexes spark backlash over high-level motorcade during brief Time100 visit
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent trip to New York City is making headlines — not just for their appearance at the TIME100 Summit, but for the intense level of security that accompanied their brief visit.
According to photos obtained by Page Six, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived with a four-car entourage, including two black SUVs and two unmarked police vehicles. Paparazzi and insiders called the detail “abnormal,” even by celebrity standards.
“Taylor [Swift] usually has two cars — one for herself and another for her security team,” a source shared, noting that even global icons like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian typically use just two SUVs for their teams and families.
The source criticized the Sussexes’ use of what appeared to be NYPD support, claiming, “It’s outrageous to think the city might be footing the bill for their security.”
However, experts note that any celebrity’s security team can request additional police support if a threat assessment justifies it — particularly during high-profile public appearances. The Sussexes’ heightened caution follows their much-publicized 2023 “near-catastrophic” car chase in New York, which drew skepticism from law enforcement officials who later suggested the incident may have been exaggerated.
Still, the contrast between Harry and Meghan’s security and that of A-list figures like Taylor Swift has sparked a debate over what level of protection is appropriate — and who should be paying for it.
