In a recent incident involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a New York City cab driver has come forward with details about the couple’s visibly nervous demeanor during a short ride as they attempted to evade pursuing photographers. Sukhcharn Singh, known as Sonny, shared his account of the incident, shedding light on the headline-making drive.
According to Sonny, he picked up Prince Harry and Meghan at a local police precinct in Midtown Manhattan, where they had sought refuge from the relentless pursuit of paparazzi. Dressed in a navy blue shirt, Sonny described the sequence of events that unfolded during their journey.
“I was on 67th Street, and then the security guard hailed me. Next thing you know, Prince Harry and his wife were hopping into my cab,” Sonny explained, recalling the moment he became an unwitting part of their escape plan.
During the drive, the couple’s nerves were evident, with Sonny speculating that they had been hounded by photographers throughout the day. However, he did not perceive the situation as a dangerous paparazzi chase, contrary to statements made by Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson.
At one point during the ride, the cab was momentarily blocked by a garbage truck, which drew the attention of the paparazzi, who began snapping pictures. Sonny commended the efficiency of the couple’s security guard, who made the call to return to the police precinct for safety.
“They looked nervous, I think they were being chased the whole day or something,” Sonny said, emphasizing the couple’s state of anxiety. “They were pretty nervous, but the security guard, he was on it.”
The spokesperson for Harry and Meghan had previously described the incident as a “near catastrophic car chase,” with the New York police confirming the incident and acknowledging the challenges posed by numerous photographers. The couple had been in New York attending the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards, accompanied by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.
Contrary to the spokesperson’s statement, Sonny did not believe there was an immediate danger during the time they spent in his cab. He expressed skepticism about the exaggerated claims, highlighting the safety of New York City and its abundance of police stations and law enforcement presence.
Sonny also clarified that the paparazzi, while persistent, were not aggressive or intrusive during the drive. They maintained a reasonable distance from the taxi, following behind without causing any undue concern.
Describing Harry and Meghan as “nice people,” Sonny recalled their pleasant interaction at the end of the trip. As they disembarked, they expressed appreciation, asked for his name, and the security guard handled the payment, including a generous tip.
For Sonny, who has driven celebrities in the past, including the likes of Keith Richards, the encounter with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was just another day in his line of work.
After sharing his account with reporters, Sonny resumed his duties, returning to his yellow cab to continue ferrying passengers throughout New York City. As the details of the incident emerged, it once again highlighted the challenges faced by public figures in maintaining privacy and security amidst a relentless pursuit by the media.
