How frustrated or unhappy would you feel if a once-in-a-lifetime moment that you plan and set up gets interrupted for no apparent reason? This is the exact situation one couple had to face recently. A romantic marriage proposal at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City reportedly took a turn for the worse when a security guard stepped in to stop the groom-to-be, who was already down on one knee, and commanded him to stand up.
Per the NY Post, the incident took place in the stained glass section of the museum. Lina (@livinwithlina_), who identified herself as a lawyer, shared the footage of the encounter on Instagram last week. She explained that she and her boyfriend, who are both native New Yorkers, had actually met at the museum a few years ago. As she reached into the box for the ring, she claimed that the guard swooped in and ruined the moment.
It should be noted that since her story was reported, Lina has turned her profile private, so her video can no longer be accessed. All we have as information about the situation is the outlet’s report. Per the Post, Lina described the frustration of the situation. She said, “He’s being rude and condescending and telling us to get up. I’m really upset about my proposal being ruined.”
The guard mentioned rules
The NY Post reported that, according to Lina’s post, the guard cited a rule about engagements being forbidden at the museum, which she claims is not true. In her post, she wrote, “He started off by saying proposals aren’t allowed (they are) and for my friend to stop filming.” She went on to describe the situation, writing, “When an incel security guard tries to ruin your engagement but its ok b/c I’m going to marry the love of my life.”
We didn’t find any policy about proposals, but the museum’s actual policy on photography is a bit more nuanced than what the guard allegedly told the couple. According to the official visitor guidelines for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, non-flash photography and video for personal use are allowed in most galleries unless it is otherwise noted.
It should be noted that the guidelines explicitly state that unauthorized photoshoots and staged photography, which includes engagement shoots, are not permitted. The museum also reserves the right to withdraw permission to photograph on its premises at its own discretion.
For those who are interested in capturing these kinds of moments, there is a clear distinction between a staged photoshoot and a casual, personal interaction. A professional resource called All the Feels suggests that while official, staged engagement photography is not allowed, documentary-style photography can work if it is done discreetly.
The site notes that if you are genuinely experiencing the museum together while a photographer captures those moments, it is absolutely doable. The key, according to All the Feels, is to avoid elaborate props, professional lighting equipment, and expectations of posed, formal portraits.
After the disrupted proposal, per the NY Post, Lina mentioned that her fiancé was going through every emotion during the encounter. The pair reportedly eventually left the museum to grab a bite at Shake Shack to calm down. The Met and the security guard have not publicly responded to Lina’s account. In another recent proposal, the bride-to-be got the proposal she wanted but was then dragged by the internet for her comments on her ring.
Public reaction to the video was reportedly supportive of the couple, with many people commenting on the employee’s lack of discretion. Per the outlet, one person noted, “I understand the importance of rules, policies, and doing your job. But discretion matters too. Interrupting and potentially ruining a once-in-a-lifetime moment in the name of enforcing a rule only makes the public’s relationship with people in those positions more difficult.”
Another observer reportedly pointed out that many people have proposed at the museum in recent years. “There literally hundreds of posts of people proposing at the met in the last 5 years,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “I hope this employee was addressed.” In a different story of a ruined proposal, a man had meticulously planned a proposal on a cruise, only for the staff to come out to congratulate them before he even popped the question.
Before Lina made her profile private, the NY Post noted that her video had already raked in more than 55,000 views on Instagram.
Published: Aug 23, 2026 07:00 am