They gave up their royal titles 18 months ago. But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle still managed to make a very regal entrance last week, as they descended on New York City with all the fanfare of a royal parade – arriving with an entourage of at least ten cars and 20 security guards, before hobnobbing with the city’s elite.
Marking their first big public trip together since Megxit, the couple spent a very busy few days meeting a handful of the city’s VIPs – including New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio; visiting some key sites, like the One World Observatory and the One World Trade Center; and also attending the Global Citizen Live concert in Central Park.
And they even managed to squeeze a few cocktails in at the super-luxe Bemelmans Bar with close friends, designer Misha Nonoo and her oil-baron husband Mikey Hess. How’s that for a four-day minibreak?
“It’s wonderful to be back,” Meghan told the press – marking her first time in New York in two years, when she watched close friend Serena Williams at the 2019 US Open. Dressed in black, the Sussexes arrived hand in hand at the One World Trade Center – which is built on the site of the Twin Towers and houses a 9/11 memorial. There, they posed for photos at the top of the skyscraper with Mayor de Blasio and Governor Hochul.
CHECK OUT Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
2 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
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In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
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On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
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In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
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'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
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The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
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Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
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In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
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In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
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It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
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The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
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Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
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Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
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The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
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The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
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In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
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In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
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Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
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Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
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The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
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In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
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On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
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The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
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The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
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When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
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The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
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Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
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She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
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Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
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Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
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In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
Later that night, they arrived at the Carlyle Hotel’s Bemelmans Bar, where they were pictured sipping Martinis with Misha and Mikey. The latter is said to be responsible for setting Meghan and Harry up, so the four of them undoubtedly had a lot to catch up on – especially since the trip marked Meghan’s first public outing since giving birth to their daughter Lilibet in June.
Three days later, the former royals attended the Global Citizen Concert in Central Park, which featured performances from Coldplay, Lizzo and Jennifer Lopez – the event called on the world’s wealthiest nations to share at least 1billion doses of COVID vaccines with developing countries.
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But while Harry and Meghan – who’d left Lilibet and two-year-old son Archie at home in California – seemed to be getting down to some serious business in New York, their visit sparked some criticism from commentators, who slammed them for carrying out “pseudo-royal engagements” and causing mayhem with their massive entourage.
“It’s nonsense,” said royal expert Angela Levin. “They wanted to leave the royal family because they didn’t want to be doing engagements there. And here they are, not so long after, doing pseudo-royal engagements. They want to build up a ‘woke’ alternative royal family and get this one gone.
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