Someone just climbed to the top of the Empire State Building for a proposal

For most New Yorkers, a marriage proposal involves a scenic overlook, a fancy dinner or maybe a rooftop bar. But today, for two professional urban climbers, apparently only the very top of the Empire State Building would do.

Just after noon today, stunned office workers, tourists and pedestrians looked skyward as two black-clad figures appeared atop the iconic Midtown skyscraper's antenna, roughly 1,450 feet above Fifth Avenue. Wearing face coverings and no visible safety equipment, the pair climbed to the narrow pinnacle of the building's spire before unfurling a large black banner that read: "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."

The heart-stopping stunt quickly drew helicopters, emergency responders and plenty of social media videos. After lingering at the top for several minutes, the climbers descended to a lower platform on the spire, where one appeared to drop to one knee and propose. The other accepted with a kiss before the pair continued climbing down.

The climbers were later taken into NYPD custody, according to multiple reports. Authorities have not yet announced what charges, if any, they may face. Former NYPD Chief of Department Terry Monahan told NBC New York the pair could potentially face felony charges related to the trespass.

While officials have not formally identified the duo, the climbers appeared to be extreme urban explorers Angela Nikolau and Ivan (Vanya) Beerkus, whose social media accounts document unauthorized ascents of some of the world's tallest structures. Nikolau posted a point-of-view video from the Empire State Building during the climb and later shared images appearing to confirm the engagement. (The couple are also the subjects of the 2024 documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.)

In a statement, the Empire State Realty Trust said "The unauthorized incident at the building has been resolved with the constructive and helpful coordination of the NYPD. There was at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests. It is to be emphasized that the Empire State Building Observation Deck, atop the World's Most Famous Building in the center of New York City, does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals."

As breathtaking as the footage may be, this wasn't the first time someone has illegally reached the top of the landmark. In 1994, French free climber Alain Robert, better known as the "French Spider-Man,” scaled the building with his bare hands before being promptly arrested.

The Empire State Building may have hosted countless movie romances over the decades, but it's safe to say this was one proposal that absolutely won't be making the venue's list of recommended engagement packages.