Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out – separately – in New York City just days after a series of awkward moments on the red carpet when they were crowned ‘Humanitarians of the Year.’

On Saturday, The Duke of Sussex was seen in a tailored suit as he got into a car to enjoy the crisp autumn evening in Manhattan. Meanwhile, Meghan opted for a chic look, wearing sunglasses and a scarf paired with a long coat as she exited her vehicle.

Harry and Meghan went their separate ways one day after having lunch with tennis legend Serena Williams in New York’s Soho House. Meghan and Serena first met at a Super Bowl party in 2010.  

‘Meghan is a great person and I think the epitome of strength, the epitome of confidence, the epitome of just selflessness, and the epitome of everything is just her and everything that she’s gone through,’ the tennis player said afterwards.

Prince Harry and Meghan were in the city to attend the Project Healthy Minds gala, where they received their humanitarian accolades.

On the red carpet Thursday night, Harry appeared to hurry Meghan along as he took her hand and started moving away after posing for photographers – but the Duchess of Sussex appeared to linger.  

Royal watchers claimed the Duke of Sussex may even have gently whispered to Meghan to ‘come on now’ as she paused.

The prince was decked out in a suit as he entered a car to enjoy the comfortable fall night in Manhattan on Saturday

Meghan was more casually sporting shades and wide-leg navy trousers, paired with a striped blouse and an oversized brown coat

Prince Harry shuffles away as Meghan pauses for one more photo in New York last night

And in another video taken backstage at the gala, the Duke of Sussex is grabbed by a member of the team, who asks him a question.

Meghan was left standing awkwardly, alone, waiting for him to arrive with some critics claiming she briefly ‘glowered’ before smiling.

But another wrote: ‘She seems to be making a real effort to look demure, not overshadow him the whole red carpet’.

Meghan collected the award and was also praised as ‘a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist’ as she received the award. Harry’s work with mental health companies and his controversial 2021 memoir Spare were listed among his achievements. 

Project Healthy Minds’ ‘Humanitarians of the Year’ award has only been won once before, last year. Jeff Yabuki and his wife Gail got the gong for their commitment to mental health work after Jeff’s brother took his own life in 2017. 

CEO and founder of Project Healthy Minds, Phillip Schermer, told the audience the Sussexes’, ‘leadership and generosity…had made a profound difference in the lives of so many’.

The Duchess of Sussex also gave a sideways smile during a tactile display by the couple

Meghan was left waiting when Harry spoke to someone by the red carpet

Their appearance in New York came immediately after King Charles and Prince William put on a united front in London.

The Duchess of Sussex used her acceptance speech to voice fears about Archie and Lilibet growing up in a digital age – hours after the Princess of Wales visited a children’s charity and warned that excessive screen time can harm family life.

The competing events, 3,500 miles apart, could stir up trouble and pour cold water on hopes of peace talks between the warring Windsors.

The Daily Mail revealed that a friend of the Sussexes has predicted: ‘Meghan will return to Britain before the year is out’ and could come bearing ‘humble pie’.

The couple are apparently planning their reconciliation with the royal family in a secret plot dubbed: ‘Project Thaw’. There have been claims that William could even meet Harry – but he is not willing to do so with Meghan present.

This morning a video showing the future king breaking down in tears also emerged. William couldn’t hide his anguish as he discussed the devastating impact of suicide with a mother whose husband took his own life just five days after their one-year-old son died.

The King and his eldest son were together at the Natural History Museum in London last night for a rare joint public engagement, brought together by their shared passion for the environment. A video showed them warming greeting each other with William warmly putting his hand on Charles’ shoulder.