Meghan Markle gushes over Harry as couple take to red carpet in New York

Mar 23, 2023

The couple held hands as they arrived at the Salute to Freedom Gala at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped out onto the red carpet for a military veterans event just hours after bombshell new evidence was heard in her privacy court case.

The Duchess of Sussex donned a stunning red dress as she smiled for the cameras alongside her husband Harry, who wore a dinner jacket, bow tie and military medals.

The couple held hands as they arrived at the Salute to Freedom Gala at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, in New York.

But just hours earlier, and roughly 3,500 miles away, the Court of Appeal in London had learned more about the writing of the bestseller Finding Freedom.

A statement from Meghan, read to the court, claimed emails between her then press secretary Jason Knauf about a meeting with the authors of the book, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, had slipped her mind.

In a statement, Mr Knauf noted that Meghan and Harry "authorised specific cooperation in writing" in December 2018.

He had advised the couple that putting the authors in touch with Meghan's friends was "not a good idea", emails show.

"Being able to say hand on heart that we did not facilitate access will be important," he told the pair.

A witness statement from Meghan then said she accepted that Mr Knauf did brief the authors of Finding Freedom - with her knowledge.

She said: "I apologise to the Court for the fact that I had not remembered these exchanges at the time.

"I had absolutely no wish or intention to mislead the Defendant or the Court."

The Duchess added that had she known about the emails she would have been "more than happy to refer to them" as "strongly" supportive of her case.

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Last year a spokesperson for the couple said they "did not collaborate with the authors on the book, nor were they interviewed for it", OK reports.

Despite the revelations, the pair put on a united front on the red carpet.

When a reporter asked Meghan if she was proud of Prince Harry, she replied: "I'm always proud of him."

Harry later joked in a speech at the event that he is now living the "American Dream".

He said: "It's wonderful to be back on USS Intrepid a decade after my last visit – and a lot has changed since then.

"Just last week, I went for a ride on the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile – how's that for living the American dream."

Each year the museum pays tribute to people in the military who have shown "extraordinary leadership" and honours the roles they have played to defend their country.

Harry continued: "I’ve lived in the US for close to two years now. I have to say, witnessing your support for all those that put themselves in harm's way in defence of our freedoms and liberties – it's remarkable and hugely respected.

"It reminds me of the deep reverence us Brits have for our military as well. The armed forces communities in both our countries share a special bond, and I’m grateful to have served in support of our joint allyship for many years."

Meghan was wearing a red Carolina Herrera dress and red shoes to match the high-slit fashion choice. She had her long locks up into a high bun.

Harry had a line of four medals on his jacket along with the cross for Knight Commander of Royal Victorian Order around his neck.

Palace rules mean Harry can wear medals on his jacket but was stripped of his titles after deciding to leave for the US. He was reportedly particularly upset to have the rank of Captain General of the Royal Marines taken from him.

As they moved along the red carpet, it was Harry who appeared more keen to stop and chat. He was overheard to ask one person: "Are you excited?"

Then a reporter asked him: "How's your grandmother?" He smiled and nodded before moving on.

The Sussexes, parents to Archie, two, and five-month-old Lilibet, were both wearing a poppy.

The event is held ahead of Veterans Day in the US and Remembrance Day in the UK.

Harry is a special guest at the event where he will give out medals for the Intrepid Valor Awards to five service members, veterans and military families who are living with the "invisible wounds of war".

The event is particularly relevant for Harry who himself had a military background before leaving the Royal Family and moving to California.

He served in the military for 10 years including two tours of Afghanistan and has been working with veterans as well as founding the Invictus Games - a sporting event for wounded for ex-servicemen.

Harry and Meghan have been dedicating their time to charity work and humanitarian initiatives since moving to the US.

Also at the veterans' event was Jon Bon Jovi who collaborated with Harry to release a song for the Invictus Games and he received the 2021 Intrepid Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as chairman of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

"We are so grateful to Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex for honouring and amplifying the stories of these heroes and helping to raise awareness for mental health support for our men and women in uniform," said Susan Marenoff-Zausner, president of the Intrepid Museum.

This is their second trip to New York this year having attended the Global Citizen Live concert in Manhattan in late September.

Harry has spoken out recently about the trolling of Meghan online, including over the decision by the couple to leave the UK for the US that became dubbed "Megxit".

He reportedly told the Wired's Re:Wired Conference on Tuesday that the "term ‘Megxit’ was or is a misogynistic term and it was created by a troll, amplified by royal correspondents and it grew and grew and grew into mainstream media."

Meghan meanwhile has said she is now feeling "much better" after admitting she suffered suicidal thoughts while pregnant with son Archie.

The Duchess of Sussex was speaking to host Andrew Ross Sorkin at the New York Times DealBook Summit where she said stepping back from royal duties has lead to an improvement in her mental health.

Mr Sorkin said there was a "moment when a lot of the world" was concerned and wondering about the comments she made.

Meghan told an interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year, she had suicidal thoughts while a member of the Royal Family living in the UK.

She also alleged racism by a royal who asked her what would be the colour of her child when she was pregnant for the first time.

She responded to the host that she was now feeling "better about everything".

Just days ago royal biographer Andrew Morton revealed the Oprah interview was planned years in advance, shortly after the Sussexes got married.

The Sussexes' rift with the Royal Family led to them moving to the United States last year and since then they have spoken regularly to American media about problems they allege forced them to leave.

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