Prince Harry, Meghan Markle pay tributes to 9/11 victims in New York City

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have paid tribute to 9/11 victims as they visited New York in their first joint outing since Lilibet’s birth.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex pose at One World Observatory in New York City. Picture: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Meghan Markle gushed “it’s wonderful to be back” as she joined Prince Harry in their first public appearance since the birth of their daughter Lilibet.

The Sun reports that Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, – who gave birth to daughter Lilibet in June – were driven to the event in a black SUV and travelled up to One World Trade Center’s viewing deck to meet the NYC Mayor, Bill De Blasio.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, have made their first public appearance since the birth of their daughter Lilibet. Picture: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

The couple arrived holding hands. Picture: Gotham/GC Images

L-R) Governor Kathy Hochul, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio, Chirlane McCray and Dante de Blasio pose at One World Observator.

And as she greeted the crowd of photographers, Meghan said: “It’s wonderful to be back thank you” when asked if she was happy to be in New York.

Meghan has previously spoken of her love of the city – even heading there for her baby shower before the birth of Archie.

Prince Harry & Madam Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle tell me on 9/23/21 that it feels wonderful to be back in NYC. Mayor de Blasio expresses his admiration saying they are wonderful guests and that the work they are doing is so important for our whole country and our whole world. pic.twitter.com/kIcZGsa3z8

— Kyle Mazza (@KyleMazzaWUNF) September 23, 2021

The Duchess, wearing an all-black outfit with her hair tied back in a bun, smiled and waved as she entered the building with Harry by her side.

The pair also met with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, 63, who arrived minutes before them.

The couple later stopped to view a wreath at the 9/11 Museum at ground zero.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the One World Trade Center observation deck in New York.

The duke and duchess then toured the 9/11 memorial pools, walking hand-in-hand as they paused to look at some of the names of those killed in the terrorist atrocity just over 20 years ago.

They listened attentively as they quietly toured the pools marking both fallen towers before visiting the September 11 museum.

Meghan and Harry toured the 9/11 memorial at the One World Trade Centre, Picture: Gotham/GC Images

The couple finally left in a Range Rover, which drove them straight into a garage at the Carlyle hotel on the Upper East Side.

They were driven out again just after 12:30pm (2:30am AEST), with Harry in a different suit and Meghan wearing a tan-coloured jacket and sunglasses.

Sources said they were heading to visit US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, at her apartment near the UN global headquarters.

Meghan wore all black. Picture: Gotham/GC Images

Meghan was seen wearing a tan coat as she arrived at The Carlyle Hotel. Picture: Fernando Ramales / BACKGRID

The New York trip is the first time Meghan has appeared at a public event since giving birth to Lilibet in June as they embark on their “adventure,” Omid Scobie said.

The couple are next expected to broadcast live from Central Park for a Global Citizen Live event to promote the Covid vaccine on Saturday.

It is part of a number of shows being held in cities as varied as London to Lagos by the organisation Global Citizen, with artists like Ed Sheeran, Sir Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Metallica and Coldplay scheduled to perform.

It has been reported the parents have however left their kids, Archie, two, and baby Lilibet, at their Montecito home.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission