Meghan Markle heckled as she arrived at Women of Vision Awards in New York

The Duchess of Sussex copped a nasty remark as she arrived to accept her Women of Vision award.

Meghan Markle was heckled as she arrived to accept an award at a gala night in New York City.

The Duchess of Sussex was at the Ziegfeld Ballroom for the 2023 Women of Vision Awards with her husband Prince Harry and her mother Doria Ragland when the ugly incident unfolded.

The occassion marked the LA-based royal’s her first public appearance since she missed the coronation of King Charles III in London.

As she stepped out of a blacked-out SUV to enter the venue, a heckler shouted: “Meghan, how do you feel being part of two broken families?”, according to the New York Post.

Ms Markle’s parents split when she was just six years old and she became estranged from her father Thomas Markle just before she wed Prince Harry after he posed with paparazzi.

The 41-year-old former Suits actress appeared unfazed by the brutal remark as she made her way into the lobby area in stunning gold Johanna Ortiz cocktail dress.

It comes amid the the royal couples’ claim they were chased by paparazzi through the streets of New York after the event.

Meghan Markle appeared unfazed by a heckler as she arrived in the lobby with Prince Harry and her mother Doria Ragland. Picture: Raymond Hall/GC Images

PRINCE HARRY ‘ANXIOUS, STARTLED’

Prince Harry appeared anxious and “low-status” in the shadow of a dazzling Meghan Markle on the red carpet, according to a body language expert.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex posed for the cameras at the 2023 Women of Vision Awards in New York in their first public appearance since the coronation of King Charles III.

Body language expert Judi James said Ms Markle, in a studding gold dress, glowed with cool Hollywood confidence while Prince Harry looked “anxious and startled”.

“Dressed in a golden sheath, Meghan’s body language here showed it was very much Meghan’s night, with her adoring mother and husband showing pride and support,” Ms James told The Sun.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at the awards. Picture: Getty Images

“Harry’s tie-touch rituals and his widened eye expression made him look a little anxious and startled when he first emerged from the car but his beaming smile as he walks behind his wife and her mother into the venue suggests nothing less than pride and excitement.”

“In the family pose Harry is placed in the middle with his arms out behind the backs of his wife and mother-in-law,” she added.

“His pose and his energy signals are low status and his smile looks bashful here.”

The Duchess of Sussex attends the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards at Ziegfeld Ballroom. Picture: Getty Images

Ms Markle reportedly became emotional when presented with an award by feminist activist Gloria Steinem. She gave an “authentic” speech about service, kindness, and advocacy for women.

Ms James said the Duchess owned the night from beginning to end, with her mother Doria and Prince Harry playing a supporting role.

“The arrival order reflected this, with no nod to royal protocol. Harry gets out of the car first but waits dutifully as Meghan walks in ahead looking every inch the star,” she said.

“Meghan’s entrance into the building involves A-list confident body language. Her arms are held away from her sides in a subtle splay that creates the assertiveness-signalling upturned V gap under the armpits.”

MEGHAN’S EMOTIONAL ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

An emotional Meghan Markle became teary while accepting an award at a glitzy New York gala, guests say.

The Duchess of Sussex was presented the 2023 Women of Vision Award by feminist icon and close friend Gloria Steinem at the Ms Foundation event on Tuesday local time. The gong came after Ms Markle dazzled in a strapless gold dress as she hit the red carpet with Prince Harry and her mother, Doria Ragland at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.

Meghan Markle with Teresa Younger and Gloria Steinem at the event. Picture: Getty Images

Organisers said Ms Markle was being celebrated for her “lifelong advocacy for women and girls”.

Event guests claimed the Duchess “became emotional” during the presentation, The Sun reports.

The Duchess of Sussex is followed by husband, Prince Harry. Picture: Raymond Hall/GC Images

Guest Paul Didonato told The Sun: “Meghan was very gracious and beyond articulate. She was quite wonderful.

“She did become emotional. Seeing her on stage with Gloria Steinem felt like it was a cross generational moment.”

Another guest told The Sun that Prince Harry and Ms Ragland “looked unbelievably proud”.

It was the Sussexes’ first major public event together since King Charles’ coronation, which the Duchess declined to attend.

Ms Markle’s slinky $2500 Johanna Ortiz dress featured a keyhole cutout on the chest and was paired with strappy Tom Ford heels and a matching clutch bag by Carolina Herrera.

The Duchess accessorised the look with three diamond bracelets and a gold Cartier Love Bracelet, as well as a pair of sparkling hoop earrings.

Originally published as Meghan Markle heckled as she arrived at Women of Vision Awards in New York