New York: What began as a breathtaking marriage proposal atop one of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers ended in a courtroom after a couple allegedly scaled the restricted antenna of the Empire State Building without permission, leading to multiple felony charges.

Social media-famous climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus appeared before a New York court after prosecutors charged them with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass and other offences over the dangerous stunt.

According to investigators, the pair illegally accessed the building’s restricted 104th floor before climbing the broadcast antenna, reaching an astonishing 1,454 feet (443 metres) above Midtown Manhattan.

At the summit, they unfurled a black banner reading:”When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

Moments later, Beerkus got down on one knee and proposed, with the New York skyline serving as the backdrop. Photos of the dramatic engagement quickly spread across social media.

Police said the climb triggered a complex rescue operation. Officers waited for the antenna to be powered down before members of the Emergency Services Unit ascended nearly 1,250 feet to safely intercept the couple. Investigators also alleged a broken lock was found on a secured access door leading to the restricted area.

Authorities said the stunt not only endangered the climbers but also placed first responders at significant risk.

Nikolau and Beerkus are well known in the urban climbing community and were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which chronicles their passion for scaling skyscrapers and other towering structures around the world.

The Empire State Building’s management confirmed the climb was unauthorized and said security measures remain in place to restrict access to non-public areas. The investigation into how the pair reached the antenna is ongoing.