Lee Sansum, formerly in charge of Princess Diana's security, expressed his support for Meghan Markle's decision to skip the Gracie Awards held on May 23, citing the intense scrutiny from the paparazzi.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, was recognized as a digital media national winner at the 49th iteration of the event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles. This occasion occurred following an unsettling paparazzi car chase the duchess, her mother Doria Ragland, and Prince Harry experienced upon leaving the Women of Vision Awards in New York City on May 16.
Despite her win, Markle chose not to attend the Gracie Awards, a move endorsed by Sansum, who stressed the paparazzi's intense pursuit. Speaking to Fox News Digital, he explained, "Individuals may incite a pursuit to secure the photograph. Sometimes it's not even the photographers themselves but people hired to act as decoys, simply to provoke a reaction."
Sansum was hired for Princess Diana's protection in the summer of 1997 while she was involved with Dodi Fayed, an Egyptian film producer. He shared his experiences with paparazzi, saying, "They aim to capture one single photo that would suggest Meghan has lost control. Hence, they cultivate such an atmosphere."
The former royal guard went on to describe how the paparazzi often create scenarios just to get their prized photograph. He described situations where "people aim to profit from chaos, provoking the car to act rashly, or even collide with another vehicle."
Sansum would advise Markle to steer clear of these scenarios, saying, "Meghan, step back, let the situation cool down."
According to Sansum, the public receives only a fragment of the story regarding the car chase. He added, "We are only exposed to a part of the story through the media and other sources. Its credibility may be questionable."
The veteran bodyguard emphasized the intrusive nature of the paparazzi, saying, "The photographers can be extremely invasive, and eventually, it can lead to breakdowns."
Sansum expressed his disbelief that such risky pursuits are permitted. He said, "It's shocking that such actions are allowed, jeopardizing the public, even if it doesn't involve high speeds."
Sansum, who once protected Princess Diana and her sons during a holiday in Saint-Tropez, France, referenced the tragic car crash that resulted in Princess Diana's death as a severe outcome of a paparazzi chase.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's representative stated that the car chase was a product of "an aggressive group of paparazzi." The spokesperson emphasized, "While public figures attract attention, it should never jeopardize anyone's safety."