RICHARD EDEN: William’s calm triumph in New York was in stark contrast to Harry and Meghan’s dramatic visit there – when ‘a ring of aggressive photographers with blacked out windows put their lives at risk’…

The smooth, good-humoured success of Prince William‘s visit to New York this week was in stark contrast to his brother Harry’s recent stay there, writes Richard Eden in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter.

Eden, the Daily Mail Diary Editor, praises William for his effective diplomacy on the two-day solo visit, suggesting that the Prince had proved himself  an ambassador both for the nation and the monarchy.

Strikingly, he says, the Prince of Wales endured none of the headline-catching drama overshadowing the New York visit of Harry and Meghan in May, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed to have been involved in ‘near catastrophic car chase’ with photographers.

Prince William proved a big success in New York this week with crowds of well-wishers coming out to greet him

While Prince William’s visit went off without a hitch, the May visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was overshadowed by drama as they claimed to have been pursued by cameramen. Here they are shown attending the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Gala

There was no such drama for William, who – even without Catherine by his side – proved quite a hit, drawing crowds of well-wishers. 

‘Greeting Prince William in New York this week, the city’s former mayor Michael Bloomberg referred to a recent opinion poll that showed our future king was viewed more favourably in the USA than President Joe Biden,’ writes Eden.

‘Referring to the Declaration of Independence from George III’s Britain, Bloomberg joked: “America has not seen that kind of bipartisan consensus since 1776. But this time we’re all drinking to the King’s health.”

‘The calm success of the trip was a stark contrast to his brother’s most recent visit to New York City. That was overshadowed by Prince Harry and Meghan’s claims that they had been involved in a “near-catastrophic car chase” with press photographers.

Richard Eden says that William was an effective ambassador both for the nation and the monarchy

The Prince of Wales was in New York to promote his environmental Earthshot Prize. Here he shakes the hand of former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Richard Eden says that William’s stay in New York was in stark contrast to his brother’s visit earlier this year

‘The incident happened after the couple tried to shake off “a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi” in half a dozen cars with blacked out windows, driving dangerously and putting the lives of the couple and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, in danger, their spokesman said.

‘The New York Police Department later said no one had been hurt and a taxi driver who drove the couple never felt in danger.’

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