A couple have marked their engagement in dramatic style after scaling the Empire State Building in New York and unveiling a banner celebrating “the power of love.”
Russian climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus reached the top of the iconic 1,454ft (443m) skyscraper before unfurling a message that read: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
The pair, who were dressed in black and wearing masks, spent several minutes on the building’s antenna before the moment took a more personal turn, with one of them appearing to get down on one knee in what looked like a marriage proposal.
@foxnewsBREAKING: Two people have climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City, holding a banner from the skyscraper's antenna reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." As of now it's unclear how the pair reached the top of the building as police work to get them down from the spire, 1,454 feet above the ground.♬ original sound - Fox News
The couple, who featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, were later seen embracing and kissing as they celebrated their engagement high above New York City.
Bodycam footage from police captured officers later approaching the pair and telling them they “can’t be up here,” though the climbers appeared calm as they made their way down.
It remains unclear how they accessed the restricted antenna area of the 102-storey Empire State Building, which is not open to the public.
@nbcnewyorkThe NYPD were quick to release bodycam footage Wednesday afternoon from the arresting officers who climbed part of the Empire State Building. Two people were taken into custody for scaling the Manhattan landmark, where the couple apparently got engaged in a death-defying stunt.♬ original sound - NBC New York
A spokesperson for the landmark confirmed the stunt was unauthorised, but said it did not pose any danger to the building or those inside.
Despite the official response, the focus for many onlookers was the romantic moment itself, with witnesses describing the scene unfolding above the city skyline as “like being in the movies.”
Climbing the Empire State Building is strictly prohibited, although the site has seen a number of unauthorised ascents over the years. In 2023, actor and musician Jared Leto was granted permission to scale part of the structure for a promotional event with his band 30 Seconds to Mars.
