Harry and Meghan’s taxi driver throughout paparazzi ‘chase’ speaks out

The taxi driver who drove Harry and Meghan by New York City throughout a automobile chase has spoken out.

Sukhcharn Singh, who picked up the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from a police station, mentioned he immediately recognised them – they usually have been adopted by paparazzi all through their journey.

However, he did not agree with the couple’s evaluation that it was “near catastrophic”.

Speaking to NBC News concerning the couple’s description of the state of affairs, he mentioned: “I think that’s all you know, exaggerated and stuff like that. So don’t read too much into that, you know.

“New York City is the most secure place to be. There’s police stations, there’s cops on each nook, so there is no motive to be afraid in New York.”

Mr Singh has mentioned he by no means felt like he was in peril – and shrugged off solutions that it was like a automobile chase you’ll see within the motion pictures.

He went on to disclose that the couple tipped him $50 (£40) for the 10-minute drive – including that the pair “seemed nervous” whereas they have been in his automobile.

Two New York cops additionally performed down the incident – describing it as “a bit chaotic” slightly than “near catastrophic”.

Officers mentioned the Sussexes had been pushed round 57th Street, FDR Drive and close by roads for about an hour and quarter-hour as they have been adopted by paparazzi earlier than they have been dropped off on the New York City Police Department’s nineteenth precinct.

They have been picked up by Mr Singh shortly after.

Security for the couple claimed that they have been being pursued by vehicles, mopeds and electrical bikes that at occasions mounted the pavement to maintain up with the couple’s car.

The agency claims at the very least 15 lights have been ignored by the paparazzi as they adopted the couple by the town – describing them as driving “aggressively and badly”.

However, they didn’t describe the incident as a “high-speed chase”.

Ashley Hansen, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s press secretary, made the couple’s misery clear.

She informed Sky News: “I have never experienced their vulnerability as much as I did last night. They were incredibly scared and shaken up.

“There have been a number of occasions the place the automobile stopped and safety received out. There have been cases the place the police confronted the paparazzi and had requested them to cease or give them area, to do that safely.

“Unfortunately that wish was not respected.”

Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace haven’t commented publicly – and in accordance with the PA information company, the Royal Family haven’t been in contact with Harry and Meghan because the incident.

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New York’s mayor Eric Adams has mentioned two cops may have been injured as they assisted Harry and Meghan’s personal safety staff whereas their automobile was being adopted.

He added: “Public safety must always be at the forefront. In a briefing I received [I heard] two of our officers could have been injured … I don’t think there’s many of us who don’t recall how [Harry’s] mum died.

“It could be horrific to lose the harmless bystander throughout a chase like this and one thing to have occurred to them as properly.”

Mr Adams added he believes the behaviour of those following the Sussexes was “reckless and irresponsible”.