Meghan Markle seen at luxury Carlyle Hotel – where rooms can go for $1,900 a night – before accepting humanitarian award

Meghan Markle arrived at the luxury Carlyle Hotel in New York – where rooms can go for upwards of $1,900 a night – before accepting a humanitarian award last night.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, sported an elegant black trench coat, stilettos and an all-white ensemble for the autumnal day in the Big Apple, as she was spotted walking into the lobby on Thursday.

She donned some statement sunglasses and opted for a ponytail, keeping accessories to a minimum.

The opulent city hotel was built in the 1930s and is known for its ‘charm and elegance’. 

‘For generations, it has been a home away from home for world leaders, celebrities and sophisticated travelers,’ the venue touts.

‘Guests indulge in remarkable privacy, luxury and impeccable service at this award-winning property.’

Later that night, Meghan wore a suit worth nearly £6,000 and a jewellery worth more than £238,000 – while attending the Project Healthy Minds gala with her husband, Prince Harry.

The Duchess looked typically chic in a £4,000 Giorgio Armani silk jacket with £1,500 trousers, which she daringly opted to wear without a shirt underneath.

The mother-of-two previously wore the stylish suit while attending the opening of a new Navy SEAL Foundation training facility for veterans in San Diego in 2023. 

Meghan completed her ensemble with a £1,250 Giorgio Armani satin La Prima Clutch Bag in black and £650 Asymmetric Top Line Pumps in black velvety leather. 

Meanwhile adding a bit more glamour to the ensemble, she donned a gold £500 Anine Bing double link chain necklace and elegant diamond earrings. 

Elsewhere, there was a sizeable jewel glistening on the former actress’ finger. This is her £120,000 ($161,922) engagement ring which the Duke of Sussex used to propose to her in 2017, a year before they married. 

He designed a bespoke engagement ring, featuring a cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, symbolising their first holiday together. 

The ring also included two smaller round diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection, ensuring his late mother’s presence in their journey.

Initially crafted by Cleave & Company, Queen Elizabeth’s trusted jeweller, the ring featured a simple gold band and was valued at around £120,000.

However, less than two years later, Harry commissioned Lorraine Schwartz to resize and reset the ring with a new diamond band, which Meghan first wore at Trooping the Colour in 2019.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, sported an elegant black trench coat , stilettos and an all-white ensemble for the autumnal day in the Big Apple, as she was spotted walking into the lobby on Thursday

She donned some statement sunglasses and opted for a ponytail, keeping accessories to a minimum

On one hand, the former senior royal sported Princess Diana’s Cartier Tank Française watch, worth £17,800 ($24,020), which was gifted to her after she married Prince Harry.

She stacked this on top of her 18-carat gold Cartier Love bracelet which retails for around £7,050 ($9,513). The bracelet’s screw motif symbolises eternal love, with a unique closure that locks around the wrist, representing lasting commitment.

Meghan was also seen wearing her £2,370 ($3,197) Jennifer Meyer mini bezel tennis bracelet, which is handcrafted from polished 18-carat yellow gold and was designed by Tobey Maguire’s ex-wife.

Her brunette locks were styled in a chic ponytail and her glam makeup enhanced her naturally flawless complexion. 

Meanwhile Prince Harry complemented his wife’s look by donning a basic black suit with a crisp white shirt and tie. 

In a statement to People magazine ahead of the gala, Meghan and Harry said: ‘Working with families and young people to prioritize safety online has been some of the most meaningful work of our lives.

‘As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of their stories and are honoured to support them,’ they continued.

‘We’re proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds as we work together to shine a light on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time.’

Last night Meghan and Harry were celebrated for their work in the online sphere, beginning in 2020 when they consulted with Stanford University experts tracking social media’s impact on young people.

Meghan completed her ensemble with a £1,250 Giorgio Armani satin La Prima Clutch Bag in black and £650 Asymmetric Top Line Pumps in black velvety leather

Meanwhile adding a bit more glamour to the ensemble, the duchess donned a gold £500 Anine Bing double link chain necklace and elegant diamond earrings

Project Healthy Minds celebrated Harry’s work as ‘a humanitarian, mental health advocate, environmentalist, and military combat veteran’ in honouring him on Thursday night.

As well as listing Harry’s work with mental health companies, it also mentions his controversial 2021 memoir Spare as being among his achievements.

Elsewhere Meghan, is noted to be ‘a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist’.

The couple set up their charity The Archewell Foundation in 2020 and launched an initiative aimed at tackling child safety online, called The Parents’ Network, in 2024.

Their Archewell foundation drew further attention to the crisis after the gala, citing a statistic from the Social Media Victims Law Center which states as many as 4,000 families have pursued legal action relating to damaging social media exposure.

The Duke and Duchess’ organisation stated that figure ‘represented only a fraction of affected families, limited to those with the resources and capacity to take legal action through a single law firm.

‘If these deaths and harm to children were ”unintended consequences” ten years ago,’ Harry said, ‘then what are they now?’

The duchess used her acceptance speech to voice fears about Archie and Lilibet growing up in a digital age. 

Last night Meghan and Harry were celebrated for their work in the online sphere, beginning in 2020 when they consulted with Stanford University experts tracking social media’s impact on young people

Meghan said: ‘Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming.

‘Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers. That hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible.’

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.

Meghan was joined on stage by Harry, who also shared words of wisdom about the dangers of technological advancements.

He said: ‘This is a pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in a digital age.’

The former working royals graced the red carpet ahead of the event, keeping their hands locked tightly together as Meghan lovingly gazed at her husband while they made their way past the flashing cameras and into the event. 

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.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mail revealed this week 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.