Two people climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's antenna in New York on Wednesday, unfurling a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

Helicopter footage showed the pair balancing on the narrow structure more than 440 metres above the city before climbing down to a lower platform, where one appeared to propose and the couple embraced and took selfies.

Police officers later took them into custody without incident. Authorities identified the climbers as Russian nationals Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, who were charged with burglary, reckless endangerment and other offences.

Building management said the climb was unauthorised and that no one was injured.