A dramatic marriage proposal atop one of the world's most recognizable skyscrapers ended in arrests after a couple illegally climbed the antenna of New York City's Empire State Building, unfurled a banner carrying a peace message, and appeared to get engaged hundreds of metres above the ground. The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon when the pair, dressed in black and wearing face coverings, climbed the building's restricted antenna section without visible safety equipment. Helicopter footage showed them standing on a narrow ledge nearly 1,454 feet (443 metres) above Manhattan before displaying a large black banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."
After spending several minutes at the top, the couple descended to a lower platform on the antenna. There, the man appeared to go down on one knee and propose. The two embraced, kissed, and celebrated the moment before continuing their descent. Images later shared on social media appeared to show an engagement ring overlooking the New York skyline.
The New York Police Department's Emergency Services Unit responded to the scene and intercepted the pair as they climbed down. Body-camera footage released by police showed officers calmly approaching the couple, who reportedly informed them they had just become engaged. Both were taken into custody without incident.
Authorities identified the climbers as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus (officially identified by police as Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov), a Russian couple known internationally for unauthorized "rooftopping" stunts. They gained wider recognition after appearing in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which follows their relationship and their high-risk climbs around the world.
Police have charged the pair with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and several other offences. Investigators are also examining how they managed to gain access to the highly restricted antenna area, which lies well above the public observation decks. Empire State Building management described the climb as an unauthorized incident but said it did not pose a danger to visitors, tenants, or staff inside the building. However, the episode temporarily disrupted access to parts of the landmark as emergency responders secured the area.
The unusual proposal quickly went viral on social media, drawing a mix of admiration for its dramatic setting and criticism over the risks involved. While the spectacle captured worldwide attention, officials stressed that unauthorized climbs of landmark buildings remain dangerous and carry serious legal consequences.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.
