by Crowds of people gather in the rain to watch the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at a gala in New York where they will be honored for their work in racial justice and mental health.
Harry and Meghan will be recognized by the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR) organization along with other awards, including Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky.
The public took photos and videos of the couple upon their arrival at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel on Tuesday.
Meghan wore a white, long-sleeved Louis Vuitton dress with front slits and an off-the-shoulder neckline, and the couple smiled to the crowd before posing on the event’s blue carpet.
They will be awarded the Wave of Hope Award, honoring exemplary leaders in government, business, advocacy and entertainment.
According to the RFKHR, it rewards those who “show an unwavering commitment to social change and work to protect and advance equality, justice and human rights”.
Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin will host the 2022 ceremony.
There are only hours left until the launch of the Netflix show, which tells all about the couple, which will start airing on Thursday.
The royal family is bracing itself for bombshell revelations, with Harry talking about “a hierarchy within the family”, a “dirty game” and warning that “we know the whole truth”.
Kerry Kennedy, head of the RFKHR, said the Sussexes were “incredibly bold” in addressing issues of racial justice and mental illness.
Ms. Kennedy, daughter of Robert F Kennedy, said she was “proud” to honor them at the gala.
“They stood up, talked about racial justice, and spoke incredibly boldly about mental illness,” he told US-based Extra on the blue carpet of the event.
“There has been a huge increase in this world in the wake of Covid… people around the world have said they are experiencing anxiety and intense depression.
“It’s incredibly important and very brave for Meghan to be on national television and normalize the mental health debate at this point.
“That’s why I’m so proud.”
Alongside Harry and Meghan, the RFKHR event includes Frank Baker, co-founder and managing partner of Siris, Brian Moynihan, chairman and chief executive officer of Bank of America, and Michael Polsky, founder and founder. CEO of Invenergy.
The ceremony will also honor NBA legend and civil rights icon Bill Russell with a posthumous award.
