Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were on a “date” when they appeared at a New York gala on Tuesday night.
An attendee at the 2022 Ripple of Hope Awards told us that Harry told the crowd, “This is our date night, so thank you all for sharing our date night with us.”
Another source said of Harry’s quip: “He joked that he originally thought they were having a date night… since they don’t get out much with a 1-year old and 3-year old. He didn’t realize they would be sharing it with 1,200 people, he said, ‘Thank you for coming to our date night.'”
The source, who sat near the couple, told us, “Harry looked so in love, and just seems to worship Meghan. He couldn’t stop staring at her all night. She also couldn’t stop smiling.”
The first source added, “[Harry] said, ‘I’m always inspired by my wife, and I’m always looking at my wife.’”
Our source also said that when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived for their “date” in rainy NYC, “On the way in, Harry held the umbrella for Meghan.”
He also held Meghan’s hand as they walked the red carpet. They didn’t stop for interviews.
Another observer at the gala mused of the pair to Page Six, “She’s very serious, but charming. He is totally in her thrall. She’s freed him up from his royal life.”
When the duo arrived on the red carpet, a showbiz insider at the gala said, “Meghan hasn’t changed… She still knows how to work the red carpet, and she made sure to look back at all the photographers. Just like she did during her ‘Suits’ days.”
The couple held hands while waking the NYC event’s “blue” carpet. Janet Mayer / SplashNews.comInside the charity event, there was one long table for Meghan and Harry and special guests. Said a spy of the set up: “There was one [long] ‘king’ table… so everyone [at it] can say they sat with Harry and Meghan.”
Also spotted at the event were Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, Don Lemon, Keegan-Michael Key, Gayle King, Libbie Mugrabi, Alfre Woodard, Karen Duffy and Henry Schleiff, we hear.
Harry and Meghan appeared for a “fireside chat” with Kerry Kennedy. Getty Images for 2022 Robert F.The invitation to the gala said as far as the dress code, “cocktail/business attire is acceptable,” but a source told us, “Meghan chose to wear an elegant formal gown.” She wore a white Louis Vuitton dress, while Harry went with a navy blue suit.
She also wore Princess Diana’s aquamarine ring, which she last wore as her “something blue” for her wedding reception in 2018, Page Six Style reported.
Harry and Meghan, 41, received the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award for their human rights initiatives through the couple’s Archewell Foundation, and Kerry Kennedy presented them with the award. Also honored at the event were: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Bill Russell, Michael Polsky, Brian Moynihan and Frank Baker.
Harry, 38, and Meghan gave a pre-taped speech before a live Q&A — called a “fireside chat” in the awards program — with Kennedy.
“Harry looked so in love,” said a source at the dinner. Brian Prahl/MEGASaid a source in the room: “There was a pause after the main course when the lights went on and people mingled — but magically Harry and Meghan disappeared… they were whisked backstage… they didn’t need to mingle with the crowds, who all swarmed the main table to find them gone.”
Harry told the crowd in a pre-taped speech before the Kennedy chat: “Bobby Kennedy said, ‘Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.’”
Kerry Kennedy gave the couple an award, while Alec Baldwin helped out during a charity auction. Getty Images for 2022 Robert F.During the chat with Kennedy, Markle was asked about her decision speak out about her past suicidal thoughts in a blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey. Markle told the crowd at the Ripple of Hope Awards: “I don’t want anyone to feel alone.”
A source told us, “When Kennedy asked what gives them hope, Harry responded, ‘our children.'” The couple has two kids, Archie and Lilibet.
They appeared at the gala before the release this week of their Netflix docuseries, “Harry & Meghan.”
