Masked couple climb to top of NYC Empire State Building, then get engaged

Two people stunned New York City on Wednesday after climbing to the top of the Empire State Building's transmission tower and unfurling a banner high above Manhattan. After descending to a lower platform, the man got down on one knee and proposed to his companion before the two embraced and kissed.

The pair climbed to the top of the 1,454-foot skyscraper and stood on the narrow antenna while wearing dark clothes and masks.

Perched at the top of the antenna, the pair unfurled a large banner that read: "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."

The quote is widely misattributed to legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, but it was originally spoken by 19th-century British politician William Gladstone.

The incident unfolded shortly after noon as visitors were enjoying the Empire State Building's observation deck. Witnesses watched as the climbers moved around the tower hundreds of feet above the city skyline. At one point, one of them briefly started climbing down before returning to the top.

The pair was recording and posting content on social media while perched on the antenna. About 30 minutes after reaching the top, the two began climbing back down toward one of the lower platforms on the tower.

The dramatic stunt took an unexpected turn once the pair reached a platform near the base of the spire. The man dropped to one knee and proposed to the woman, who accepted before the two embraced and shared a kiss.

The woman then removed her face covering as the couple celebrated their engagement.

WHO ARE THE CLIMBERS?

Videos from the top of the Empire State Building were later shared on Instagram by an account belonging to Angela Nikolau, who describes herself as a "neoartist exploring identity, fear & freedom."

Following the stunt, Nikolau also posted a series of photos of the proposal, including images of the engagement ring and the couple celebrating on the tower after she accepted.

Many of the posts on the account feature Nikolau alongside Vanya Beerkus, with the pair photographed atop some of the world's tallest structures.

Their previous climbs include the Bay Bridge in San Francisco and Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, the world's second-tallest building.

The Instagram account also says the couple were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which follows their lives as urban climbers.

POLICE INVESTIGATING INCIDENT

It remains unclear how the pair managed to reach the top of the building's radio and television transmission tower, which is normally off limits to the public.

As police responded, the observation deck was cleared and nearby streets were temporarily closed to ensure public safety. An NYPD helicopter also circled the building as officers monitored the situation from the ground. Police are investigating how the pair accessed the restricted area. According to local media, they could face charges including trespassing and reckless endangerment.

Former CBS News New York chief engineer John Cleary warned that climbing the tower without specialised training is extremely dangerous. He said the structure carries live television and radio transmissions and contains high levels of electrical energy.

Cleary added that technicians who work on the tower undergo extensive training because even a small mistake at that height can be fatal.

He also noted that the climbers did not appear to be wearing safety harnesses while moving around the antenna.

NOT THE FIRST CLIMB

Although Wednesday's incident shocked visitors, it was not the first time someone had climbed the Empire State Building.

In 2023, actor and musician Jared Leto climbed the tower to promote Thirty Seconds to Mars' world tour. However, his ascent was carried out with official permission and under controlled conditions.

Long before that, Alain Robert, often called the "French Spider-Man", scaled the building in 1994 using only his hands and feet before being arrested.

The Empire State Building has also become part of popular culture through the King Kong, in which the giant ape famously climbs the skyscraper.

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