From "Yes" to Handcuffs: Couple Arrested After Marriage Proposal on New York's Empire State Building

From "Yes" to Handcuffs: Couple Arrested After Marriage Proposal on New York's Empire State Building

A dramatic marriage proposal high above the streets of New York City ended with police handcuffs after a couple illegally climbed the antenna of the iconic Empire State Building before getting engaged.

The pair, identified as Russian daredevils Angela Nikolau and Ivan "Vanya" Beerkus (Ivan Kuznetsov), scaled the building's 1,454-foot (443-metre) spire without safety equipment. At the summit, they unfurled a black banner carrying the message: "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." Shortly afterward, Ivan got down on one knee and proposed. Angela accepted, and the couple embraced before beginning their descent.

Their celebration, however, was short-lived. Officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested the couple after they climbed down from the restricted section of the skyscraper. Authorities have charged them with offences including burglary, criminal trespass and reckless endangerment, while investigations continue into how they gained access to the building's antenna.

The two are well known in the world of extreme urban climbing and previously featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story," which chronicled their relationship and high-risk rooftop adventures. Their latest stunt has sparked widespread debate online, with some describing it as an unforgettable romantic gesture, while others criticized it as a dangerous act that endangered lives and stretched security resources.

Officials at the Empire State Building stressed that the climb was unauthorized and reminded the public that the landmark already offers a legal proposal experience for couples wishing to celebrate their engagement safely. The incident has also raised fresh questions about security at one of the world's most recognizable buildings.