Two people display a banner atop the Empire State Building in the Manhattan borough of New York on 1 July 2026. Photograph: Adam Gray/ReutersView image in fullscreenTwo people display a banner atop the Empire State Building in the Manhattan borough of New York on 1 July 2026. Photograph: Adam Gray/ReutersTwo people unfold banner atop Empire State Building in apparent marriage proposal stuntSign displaying message of peace was seen on the New York landmark after two people climbed to top of the skyscraper
An elaborate apparent marriage proposal unfolded atop the Empire State Building’s spire on Wednesday – above the level where the general public are permitted to go – after two people climbed to the pinnacle of the New York City landmark.
The two people, both wearing black clothing and who appeared to be masked, also unfurled a large black banner at the top of the iconic skyscraper with the words: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
It remained unclear how the pair made their way up the final stages of the building, which towers above midtown Manhattan at a height of 1,454ft (443 metres). Local media outlets reported a New York police department (NYPD) drone in the air, in addition to an NYPD helicopter near the scene monitoring the breathtaking stunt.
Shortly after 12.30 pm, the two climbed down to a slightly lower platform on the structure that holds the antenna atop the building. One person then got down on one knee, and after what appeared to be a proposal from a man to a woman, the two people hugged and kissed.
NYPD said that the situation was “still developing” and, at that time, had “nothing to add”.
