Harry and Meghan: Couple vow this is the ‘beginning’ at US awards

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex vowed their war against ‘racism, oppression and injustice’ has only just begun at a lavish New York awards ceremony last night.

Harry and Meghan delivered a series of politically-charged pre-taped remarks after being honoured with an ‘anti-racism’ award by the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Foundation, a prize that counts Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton among its former recipients.

In a speech praising the late RFK, the Duke told the star-studded Ripple of Hope Gala: ‘As we all face a complete and challenging time in the world, we choose the path of optimism of care for each other and our communities. We understand this honour, not about the culmination of a life’s work, but instead and in many ways for us, a beginning.’

Harry also joked that he thought he was going on a ‘date night’ with Meghan as he told the ceremony: ‘We don’t get out much these days’. 

It comes just hours before the launch of the couple’s incendiary Netflix docuseries on Thursday, as the Royal Family braces itself for bombshell allegations including claims of racism and acts of subterfuge by The Firm against Meghan.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speak onstage at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton

Prince Harry wrapped his arm around Meghan during the star-studded gala in New York

Addressing the attendees last night, the Duke of Sussex said: ‘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.”’ 

His wife the Duchess said: ‘The enduring dream of RFK of a just and peaceful world is so much more than a simple hope. It’s a direct ask, a specific challenge, a call to action, a test of individual courage and collective spirit. And his appeal to humanity is as relevant today as it was in 1966 when he stood before the University of Cape Town, a place we’ve visited and hold close to our hearts. And he delivered a vision for the common good of society.

‘He also said those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance’.

The couple received the Ripple of Hope Award, an accolade honouring exemplary leaders across government, business, advocacy, and entertainment, and the pair were recognised for their racial justice and mental health work.

During the ceremony the couple announced a new collaboration between their foundation The Archewell Foundation and the RFKHR – the Archewell Foundation Award for Gender Equity in Student Film.

‘Our hope with this award is to inspire a new generation of leadership in the arts, where diverse up and coming talent have a platform to have their voices heard and their stories told,’ the couple said in a statement. ‘The values of RFK Foundation and The Archewell Foundation are aligned in our shared belief of courage over fear, and love over hate. Together we know that a ripple of hope can turn into a wave of change.’

Elsewhere in the night the duke joked he thought he was taking his wife on a ‘date night’.

Speaking onstage with RFKHR president Kerry Kennedy, Harry said: ‘I’ll be honest with you Kerry I just thought we were just going on a date night so I found it quite weird that we’re sharing the room with 1,500 people. We don’t get out much these days because our kids are so small and young so, this is completely unexpected.’

To laughter from the audience he added: ‘But it’s nice to share date night with all of you, so thank you for coming.’

Meghan added: ‘Thank you for bringing me on this very special date night.’

‘You’re welcome,’ Harry said.

The pair were recognised alongside other honourees including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the RFKHR, honourees are those who have demonstrated ‘an unwavering commitment to social change and worked to protect and advance equity, justice, and human rights’.

Ms Kennedy, who is the daughter of Robert F Kennedy, said the Sussexes had been ‘incredibly brave’ in addressing the issues of racial justice and mental illness.

‘They’ve stood up, they’ve talked about racial justice and they’ve talked about mental illness in a way that was incredibly brave,’ she told US outlet Extra on the event’s blue carpet.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton

Seated alongside Meghan onstage, Harry could be heard discussing the importance of storytelling in this day and age

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are seen in the crowd at the Ripple of Hope Gala in New York City on Tuesday night

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry make their way through the crowd at the Ripple of Hope Gala in New York City on Tuesday night

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle beamed from ear to ear as they arrived at a glittering New York City gala on Tuesday night – when they will accept an award for the ‘heroic’ stance against ‘structural racism’ in the Monarchy.

The couple – who profess themselves to be eco-warriors – arrived at the event in a convoy of three SUVs, accompanied by five security guards who helped them out of their vehicle

41-year-old Meghan’s dress bore an uncanny resemblance to the off-the-shoulder gown modeled by the Princess of Wales at the Earthshot Gala in Boston last week – an event that was overshadowed by the Sussexes’ Netflix trailer release 

‘In this world in the wake of Covid there has been a massive spike… people around the globe have said they have anxiety and massive depression. For Meghan to get out there on national television and normalise discussion of mental health, at this point, is incredibly important and very brave.’

Members of the public gathered in the rain and took pictures and videos of the couple, as they arrived at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel on Tuesday.

Meghan wore a white, long-sleeved Louis Vuitton gown complete with a front slit and off-the-shoulder neckline, and the couple smiled at the crowds before posing on the event’s blue carpet.

Meghan was sporting what appeared to be a large emerald-cut ring that once belonged to Princess Diana. The Duchess wore the accessory to her wedding reception in May 2018 and was also seen sporting it on the Sussexes’ tour to Tonga in October of that same year

The 2022 Ripple of Hope ceremony was hosted by Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin.

As well as Harry and Meghan, those recognised at the RFKHR event included Frank Baker, co-founder and managing partner of Siris, Brian Moynihan, chair of the board and chief executive of Bank of America, and Michael Polsky, founder and chief executive of Invenergy.

The ceremony also recognised NBA legend and civil rights icon Bill Russell with a posthumous award.

Meghan’s dress bore an uncanny resemblance to the bold green gown worn by the Princess of Wales on Friday, when she and Prince William hosted the eco-friendly Earthshot Gala in Boston, an event that was dramatically overshadowed by the release of Harry and Meghan’s first bombshell Netflix trailer. 

Much like Kate’s gown – which was rented in keeping with the environmental ethos of the Earthshot Prize – Meghan’s dress had an off-the-shoulder neckline, long sleeves, and a slit, although the Princess of Wales’ was at the back of her gown, while the Duchess of Sussex’s ran up the front of her design. 

Unlike Kate’s dress, a Solace London design that was rented from online fashion platform HURR at a price of $91 a night, Meghan’s gown had a much steeper price tag. 

In fact, the Duchess’s white gown was a one-of-a-kind piece designed for her by Louis Vuitton’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, according to Vogue.  

While Meghan’s dress design was reminiscent of Kate’s Earthshot gown, the Sussex’s arrival at the Ripple of Hope Gala this evening couldn’t have been further from the climate-focused initiative founded by the Prince of Wales. 

Harry, 38, held an umbrella over himself and Meghan, who guided her husband into the event by the hand 

The Duchess paired her white dress with a boxy black clutch and matching heels, and she had her dark brunette locks pulled back into a low bun, allowing her glamorous makeup look to shine 

The Duchess of Sussex wore a pair of long gold earrings – and she flashed a glimpse at her large engagement ring as she and Harry walked into the event 

Ever the gentleman, Harry held an umbrella up for Meghan to shield her from the rain as she exited their SUV 

The couple made their way into the gala through a side door of the hotel – under the watchful eye of several NYPD cops – and made a speedy dash down the red carpet, refusing to stop to speak to press 

She flashed her pearly whites as the couple made their way past a small crowd of people who had gathered outside of the Hilton Midtown Hotel in Manhattan 

The couple – who profess themselves to be eco-warriors – pulled up at the event in a convoy of three SUVs, accompanied by five security guards who helped them out of their vehicle, having jetted into New York City on a private jet yesterday.

Despite the cold and rainy conditions in New York, Meghan appeared to go without any tights – and she opted not to wear a coat, instead showing off her bare shoulders as she strutted into the Hilton Midtown Hotel. 

Once inside, the couple made a very quick dash down the red carpet, failing to pause or speak to photographers, instead just flashing smiles at the cameras before heading into the gala dinner, which is being emceed by Alec Baldwin. 

Harry and Meghan held hands – with the latter flashing a large blue ring that appeared to be an emerald-cut aquamarine, which once belonged to Princess Diana. 

Meghan wore the emerald-cut accessory on her wedding day in May 2018, adding the stunning jewel to the look that she sported at the couple’s evening reception at Frogmore House. She was also pictured sporting the beautiful ring during the Sussexes’ tour in Tonga in October 2018. 

Kate also wore a piece of Princess Diana’s jewelry at the Earthshot Prize Gala – an emerald-and-diamond choker that matched the green hue of her gown. 

Ahead of Harry and Meghan’s arrival, Robert F. Kennedy’s daughter Kerry told media on the red carpet that she was ‘incredibly proud’ of the couple for speaking out about ‘racial justice and mental health’  

Meghan flashed an enormous blue ring – thought to be an emerald-cut aquamarine that once belonged to Princess Diana – as she clasped Harry’s hand on the red carpet 

The couple maintained their wide smiles for the cameras, but failed to stop and speak to the press who had gathered on the carpet in anticipation of their arrival  

Despite the cold temperatures in New York City, the former Suits actress went without a coat, allowing her shoulder-baring dress to take center stage 

News that the pair were set to be awarded the honor by the RFK Foundation, which is run by Kerry, ex-wife of disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , initially sparked bewilderment, even from within the Kennedy clan

The enormous aquamarine was commissioned from British jeweler Asprey by the late Princess Diana in the early 1990s – and is understood to have been passed down to Prince Harry after his mother’s passing in August 1997. 

However, while Meghan and Harry happily beamed for a few photos, they refused to answer any questions from press – ignoring all inquiries about their upcoming Netflix documentary or whether they had a message to send to the Royal Family. 

Once inside the gala, the pair were seated at a dinner – where they continued to put on a very affectionate display, with images capturing Harry with his arm around his wife in a tender display. 

Throughout the dinner, humanitarian awards were being given out to the chosen recipients – including Meghan and Harry who were being honored for their stance against ‘structural racism’ in the Royal Family.  

RFK’s daughter Kerry Kennedy revealed last month that she had chosen to honor Harry and Meghan for taking a ‘heroic’ stance against ‘structural racism’ in the Monarchy – comments that likely only served to drive an even bigger wedge between the Sussexes and the Monarchy. 

News that the pair were set to be awarded the honor by the RFK Foundation, which is run by Kerry, ex-wife of disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, initially sparked bewilderment, even from within the Kennedy clan. 

Her brother, RFK Jr., admitted to DailyMail.com that he was left ‘baffled’ by the decision, saying: ‘It’s a bewildering choice but still an encouraging step up from 2020,’ referring to Anthony Fauci, who won the award two years ago.

At one point, Harry put a protective arm around his wife as they made their way down the carpet 

The couple refused to answer questions from the media about their upcoming Netflix documentary – and also gave no response when they were asked if they wanted to send a message to the Royal Family 

The couple kept a firm grip on one another as they posed for the photographers 

Harry and Meghan were joined on the carpet by RFK’s daughter Kerry, who previously said that she had chosen to honor the Sussexes for their ‘heroic’ stance against ‘structural racism’ in the Monarchy  

However, any confusion over the decision to present the couple with the humanitarian award quickly turned to shock when Kerry, 63, told Spanish news site El Confidencial that she had chosen to honor Harry and Meghan for their ‘heroic’ stance against the ‘structural racism’ of the Monarchy.    

‘They went to the oldest institution in UK history and told them what they were doing wrong, that they couldn’t have structural racism within the institution; that they could not maintain a misunderstanding about mental health,’ she said. 

Kerry went on to speak about her late father’s visit to apartheid South Africa in 1966, saying that Harry and Meghan have the ‘moral courage’ that many people didn’t to discuss racial justice.

‘Few would have the courage to question their colleagues, family and community about the power structure they maintained, and this is what Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have done,’ she continued.

She doubled down on those comments at the gala this evening, telling the waiting press that she was ‘proud’ of Harry and Meghan for ‘standing up’ and ‘talking about racial justice and mental illness’. 

Both Meghan and Harry flashed wide smiles as they arrived at the Ripple of Hope Gala, where they will be presented with an award for their ‘heroic’ stance against ‘structural racism’ in the Royal Family, organizer Kerry Kennedy said

‘They’ve stood up, they’ve talked about racial justice and mental illness in a way that was incredibly brave,’ she said, adding that she was particularly impressed by Meghan’s decision to speak out about her own mental health battles during the Sussexes’ bombshell interview with Oprah last year – when the Duchess revealed that she had struggled with suicidal thoughts. 

‘For Meghan to get out there on national television and normalize a discussion about mental health is incredibly important and brave,’ Kerry added. ‘The issues around racial justice are also incredibly important. I’m incredibly proud of them.’ 

No doubt her remarks will do little to heal the ever-widening rift between the Sussexes and the Royal Family – particularly as they came just days before the couple released the first of two bombshell trailers for their upcoming Netflix docuseries, both of which hinted that the pair will launch a fresh barrage of attacks on the Monarchy.

Meghan and Harry’s appearance at the gala comes hours after they were spotted arriving in New York on a private jet – their first public outing since their explosive Netflix documentary trailer was released to the world.  

While Meghan and Harry made an appearance in New York, the Royal Family – including the Prince and Princess of Wales – threatened to ‘out-glitz’ them at a Buckingham Palace reception, which took place just hours earlier  

The Princess of Wales wore a red lace dress by Jenny Packham with the Lotus Flower tiara she has worn on occasions before 

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arriving at the palace for the reception this evening

The Duchess beamed as she and Harry stepped into a waiting SUV before making their way into the Big Apple, with the 41-year-old sporting an all-black outfit and large sunglasses, while her 38-year-old husband wore a buttoned-down white shirt and black trousers. 

But while the Monarchy has no doubt been rocked by the release of the couple’s second Netflix trailer, senior royals proved this evening that the show will go on – even in the face of incoming attacks from the Sussexes – when they put on an incredibly glitzy display at their own glamorous event. 

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace, where they attended the annual white tie diplomatic corps reception – with all four putting on an incredibly glamorous display. 

Camilla, 75, looked stunning in an Anna Valentine gown with the Queen’s much-loved sapphire and diamond tiara with its matching necklace.

Meanwhile the Princess of Wales wore a red lace dress by Jenny Packham with the Lotus Flower tiara she has on occasions worn before.

She had her GCVO and Royal Family orders pinned to her dress and sported a pair of Queen Elizabeth’s diamond earrings.

The event came hours after the Prince and Princess of Wales shared heart-warming behind-the-scenes Instagram snaps taken at this year’s Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Boston.

The royal couple, both 40, appeared to channel Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – who recently shared a slew of intimate photos in the explosive trailer ahead of their documentary later this week – in theatrical black and white shots.

Mother-of-three Kate was effortlessly elegant in an off-the-shoulder dress, with her chestnut tresses cascading down her back; she was snapped walking along in the figure-hugging ensemble, which featured a slit along the back.

Making their appearance at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, the royals maintained their stoicism – embodying the age-old mantra ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’, despite ongoing scandal and controversy surrounding the release of Harry and Meghan’s upcoming docuseries in less than two days’ time. 

In a second trailer for their documentary, which was released yesterday, Harry alleged the couple had suffered from leaks and planted stories that backed up the Royal Family ‘hierarchy’.

Meanwhile, allies of the couple told the Netflix cameras that there was ‘a war against Meghan to suit other people’s agendas’, with one claiming ‘it’s about hatred, it’s about race’.

In clips for the show, the duke also took aim at royal aides, smirking as he commented: ‘It’s a dirty game.’

Harry and Meghan arrived in New York on a private jet on Monday, and were pictured leaving the airport and getting into a waiting SUV  

It was the first time the couple had been seen in public since the release of their incendiary Netflix documentary trailers  

But royal sources insisted it was ‘absolutely wrong’ to suggest the couple had been briefed against, and insisted ‘unprecedented steps’ had been taken to support them.

One insider told The Daily Telegraph that royal staff were instead ‘bending over backwards to work with them’.

They added it was ‘non-stop on their behalf’ when it came to defending them against negative stories – which began when rumors emerged of the couple’s behavior towards staff.

Another said the narrative comparing Meghan to Kate was ‘fabricated’ with no difference between how they were treated by the press. 

Royal experts have warned the series could be particularly uncomfortable for the Princess of Wales by focusing on the ‘early days’ of her relationship with William. 

During the second teaser for the series, a friend is heard claiming that the couple’s experience has been ‘about hatred, about race’ as a strikingly intimate and previously unseen clip flashes up of an exasperated Harry, 38, holding a hand to his face as Meghan passes behind him while heavily pregnant with their daughter, Lili  

Prince Harry describes life in the Royal Family as a ‘dirty game’ in the second Netflix trailer

Jack Royston, chief royal correspondent at Newsweek, today said the trailer’s content suggested the documentary would not just concern itself with recent events but also delve into the more distant past – including the rocky early days of William and Kate’s romance.

He told Good Morning Britain: ‘We’ve had Kate in both the trailers. In the most recent one there’s a strapline underneath which is a headline from a magazine cover…

‘That particular magazine included an allegation that the Queen was embarrassed of her and photographs of her drunk in public were on the front cover.

‘So if they’re going to go into the early days of Kate and William’s relationship that could be very uncomfortable.’

The royal watcher also predicted Netflix would revisit a story from 2018 which claimed Meghan made Kate cry when she unfavorably compared Princess Charlotte to her best friend’s daughter during a bridesmaid fitting.

He added: ‘In the Oprah interview that was described as a major turning point where everything changed, then in this latest Netflix trailer you have Harry saying, ”this was the turning point” – they don’t say what he’s talking about but you kind of already know.’