Meghan Markle channels former First Lady Michelle Obama in New York City
The Duchess of Sussex has continued her very expensive fashion tour of New York, sporting an outfit reminiscent of a political icon. See the photos.
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Meghan Markle has continued her fashion tour of New York City, wearing a matching suit reminiscent of outfits sported by former US First Lady Michelle Obama.
The Duchess of Sussex, 40, wore a red $5,840 Loro Piana cashmere coat and matching $1,685 wide-leg pants while on a day out in the Big Apple.
It was a similar ensemble to the burgundy Sergio Hudson suit Obama wore to President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January.
She and Prince Harry visited a primary school and iconic Harlem eaterie, Melba’s.
The New York Post reported that the royals had lunch at the 114th St restaurant owned by Harlem legend Melba Wilson after visiting primary school, PS 123.
A diner at the restaurant said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were served Southern fried chicken and eggnog waffles, spring rolls, catfish, collard greens and yams.
The Sussexes also spent some time speaking with Melba about the non-profit City Harvest — New York City’s largest food rescue organization — which takes food that would otherwise go to waste from restaurants and distributes it to food programs in the city.
The restaurant later announced on Twitter that Prince Harry and Markle vowed to donate $US 25,000 to support the restaurant amid citywide Covid-19-fueled food industry struggles.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a New York primary school as part of their first work trip together since stepping down from royal duties.
The couple joined NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter at P.S. 123 Mahalia Jackson School - where 94 per cent of the students are eligible free meals - in Harlem on Friday, local time.
One thrilled third-grader shouted out “that’s Queen Elizabeth’s son” as she pointed at Prince Harry, according to reports.
Thanks, #HarryAndMeghan, for joining us today @ PS 123 Community School #inHarlem.
— Chancellor Meisha Porter (@DOEChancellor) September 24, 2021
Students enjoyed reading “The Bench†with you and were excited about sharing their mural inspired by the book! #ArtsEd empowers students to express themselves and chase their dreams! pic.twitter.com/tFWmCaBI5I
In a bid to promote early literacy, Meghan read her children’s book The Bench to a group of second-grade school students in the playground. Prince Harry sat with the children on the ground as Meghan read the story.
“I wrote this when we just had our little boy, and I haven’t read it to any other kids but you!” she told them, according to People.
“The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father’s Day, the month after Archie was born. That poem became this story.”
The book focuses on a special bond between father and son, as witnessed through a mother’s eyes. The students were all given a copy of her book to take home.
Now that’s a class photo the kids won’t forget. With the #DukeandDuchessofSussex#MeghanAndHarry. And then they throw themselves on him. Somebody’s a DAD. More on @PIX11News all day. @KensingtonRoyalpic.twitter.com/tdAK4b49DM
— James Ford (@jamesfordtv) September 24, 2021
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were also shown a mural painting by fourth and fifth-grade students, aged nine to eleven.
Meghan was wearing a US$7,500 designer pant suit by Loro Piano and more than $300,000 worth of jewellry including her £271,000 engagement ring, a $3,300 diamond ring from her first engagement with Harry as his fiance, Princess Diana’s £17,800 Cartier tank watch and a gold bracelet, the Daily Mail reports.
The couple, who stepped back from royal duties last year, also donated two garden boxes filled with vegetables and herbs to the school, to help support a growing need for easy access to fresh food in the community.
Both Meghan and Harry were spotted hugging students before they left, according to the NY Post.
“Being able to meet her was like a chance of a lifetime. Everyone was really excited. It was a secret from everyone,” art teacher James Reynolds told The Post.
“They were great folks.”
They later met with US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Meghan, joined by Prince Harry, will be reading from her book #TheBench as well as checking out a special mural made by fourth and fifth grade students. The visit to the PS 123 school is to highlight community initiatives and promote early literacy.pic.twitter.com/u7GLfneP6w
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) September 24, 2021
On Thursday, the royals visited the rebuilt World Trade Centre and paid their respects at the 9/11 memorial.
New York Post reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — who are in Manhattan for the Global Citizen Live event in Central Park — smiled as they arrived late to first meet dignitaries including New York City’s current mayor, Bill de Blasio, at One World Trade Centre.
Their itinery has also included a subtle tribute to Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, with the pair checking into her favourite New York City hotel, The Carlyle.
Wearing navy, the couple arrived at sacred landmark One World Trade Centre and sported black face masks before entering 117 West St to view the 386 metre-high observatory.
“It’s wonderful to be back!” said Markle, 40, as she arrived in a dark-coloured pants suit and matching turtleneck sweater, with her hair tied back in a sleek bun.
Harry, 37, wore a dark suit and tie with a white shirt.
Inside, the pair met New York State Governor Kathy Hochul as well as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, and their 23-year-old son, Dante, walking together as they looked out at the fog-covered skyline.
Former Suits actor Markle and Harry showed off some PDA as the group posed for photos with the city as their backdrop — with the royals hesitating before removing their masks for the shoot.
“I don’t know if we’re allowed to?” admitted the mayor, gesturing to his staff as the others laughed nervously, before finally exposing their faces, to the pleasure of waiting photographers.
The duke and duchess then toured the 9/11 memorial pools, walking hand-in-hand as they paused to pay their respects to those killed in the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
Harry and Meghan listened attentively as they toured the memorial, which was built to honour the victims.
Meghan and Harry’s arrival in NYC marked the first time the pair have been in the Big Apple together, with friends previously telling Page Six that they were excited to be here during the “romantic fall (autumn)”.
It is also their first work trip together since they quit the former roles as working royals under “Megxit”, as well as Meghan’s first public duties since her three-month maternity leave after giving birth to daughter Lilibet on June 4.
The couple’s children Lilibet and Archie, 2, are believed to have remained in the family’s home of Montecito, California, with nannies, sources previously told Page Six.
On Saturday, New York-time, the couple will make an appearance at Global Citizen Live at Central Park’s Great Lawn to discuss the importance of achieving global vaccine equity. They will call for the G7 and EU to donate at least 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses immediately for those most in need.
Since leaving royal life, Prince Harry, 37, and Markle, 40, have focused on philanthropy and even made Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list this year.
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