Couple arrested on Empire State Building after apparent proposal – video

Two people were arrested after an apparent marriage proposal atop the Empire State Building’s spire on Wednesday, having climbed well above the section open to the public.

The pair were identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, Russian 'rooftoppers' known for carrying out similar stunts in cities including Los Angeles and Tianjin in China.

Dressed in black and with their faces covered, they unfurled a large black banner bearing the words: 'When the power of love beats the love of power, the ‌world knows peace.'

It remains unclear how they reached the uppermost section of the building, which rises 1,454ft (443 metres) above midtown Manhattan.

The New York police department said charges were pending and the investigation remained ongoing.

CBS News later reported that the pair were facing charges including burglary, criminal trespass and reckless endangerment