Couple arrested after romantic proposal atop the 1,454-foot Empire State Building

Two thrill-seekers who climbed to the top of New York City‘s Empire State Building to stage a dramatic marriage proposal have been arrested after their risky stunt drew worldwide attention.

The pair, identified as Russian-born climbers Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, reached the skyscraper’s 1,454-foot antenna, where they unfurled a banner carrying a message of peace before appearing to get engaged.

Authorities later took them into custody without injuries, and they now face multiple criminal charges.

According to investigators, the couple entered the building as visitors, hid inside overnight and later gained access to restricted areas before climbing the antenna at dawn.

Their actions prompted an emergency response, with police and building officials working to bring them down safely.

Peace message and proposal end in arrest

The banner displayed by the couple read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

After displaying the message, Kuznetsov reportedly proposed to Nikolau on the structure before the pair descended and were arrested by officers.

Videos and photographs of the incident quickly spread across social media, attracting widespread attention.

Officials have charged the couple with offences including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass and other related counts.

They were later released under supervision pending further court proceedings, while authorities continue investigating how they accessed the highly restricted area.

Social media reacts as investigation continues

The unusual proposal has sparked mixed reactions online. While some social media users described it as a bold declaration of love, others criticised the stunt as dangerous and irresponsible because of the risks posed to the climbers and emergency responders.

The couple are already known internationally for scaling skyscrapers without safety equipment and previously featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers.

Watch the video below…

BREAKING: 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… pic.twitter.com/rUPZ6nc1eK

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 1, 2026