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Harry and Meghan confronted by heckler in New York for 'destroying the Royal Family'

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala at the Hilton Midtown in New York on December 6, 2022. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Meghan and Harry were heckled as they arrived at the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala in New York. (Getty)

Harry and Meghan’s entrance to a charity event in New York was marred when a lone heckler berated them for "destroying the Royal Family”.

The couple, who are preparing for the launch of their tell-all Netflix show on Thursday, were in Manhattan to receive the Ripple of Hope Award at a gala by the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR) organisation on Tuesday night.

Crowds who had arrived to catch a glimpse of the couple cheered them as they made their way into the venue – but one person could be heard shouting criticism of the pair.

The heckler said: “What do you think about destroying the Royal Family, Meghan? You've destroyed the Royal Family.”

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Harry and Meghan did not respond to the heckle as they made their way past the media.

The accolade given to the couple honours exemplary leaders across government, business, advocacy, and entertainment, and the pair were recognised for their racial justice and mental health work.

The pair were recognised alongside other honourees including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

NEW YORK, USA - DECEMBER 06: Prince Harry Duke of Sussex (L) and his wife Duchess Meghan Markle (R) arrive to attend the Ripple of Hope Award Gala in Nev York, United States on December 06, 2022. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Harry and Meghan did not respond to the heckle as they entered the venue. (Getty)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's appearance was their first red carpet event since the release of the trailer for their Harry & Meghan documentary – and the press were keen to question the pair on the controversy surrounding it.

In the trailer, Harry suggests there were stories “planted” against Meghan while they were part of the Royal Family, while he is also heard saying: “The pain and suffering of women marrying into this institution, this feeding frenzy.”

Watch: Harry and Meghan face questions about Royal Family at awards ceremony

However, Harry “refused” to answer any questions over the trailer, with reporters asking if he was “putting money before family”, and asking if he was “harming” the royals.

The heckling of the couple may not come as a surprise in light of the controversy surrounding the documentary – but protesters also targeted other members of the royal family this week.

On Tuesday a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of common assault after an egg was allegedly thrown in the direction of King Charles during a walkabout in Luton.

Bedfordshire Police said the suspect was in custody for questioning after being arrested in St George’s Square in Luton on Tuesday.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 06: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speak onstage at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on December 06, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala)
Harry refused to answer questions about his and Meghan's upcoming Netflix documentary. (Getty)
Screen grab taken from PA Video of close-protection officers ushering King Charles III away from the crowd as he was meeting members of the public during a visit to Luton. A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of common assault during a walkabout by the King in Luton town centre after an egg is believed to have been thrown in the direction of the monarch. Picture date: Tuesday December 6, 2022.
Close-protection officers ushering King Charles away from the crowd in Luton after he was allegedly egged by a protester. (PA)

His visit came just days after the official trailer for Harry and Meghan’s six-part Netflix series was aired.

Last week, the Prince and Princess of Wales were met with a small pocket of boos as they sat to watch a basketball game in Boston during a US visit.

Britain's Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, watch the NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in Boston. (Brian Snyder/Pool Photo via AP)
The Prince and Princess of Wales were booed by a small section of the crowd at an NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat last week. (AP)

William and Kate’s three-day trip to Boston was overshadowed by a race row that saw Lady Susan Hussey resigning from her role in the royal household after she repeatedly questioned Ngozi Fulani, a prominent black British-born domestic abuse charity boss, about where she “really came from” during a Buckingham Palace reception.

Boos could be heard around the arena when Kate and William were introduced by a stadium announcer and shown on the big screen at the basketball game.

Other fans in the crowd could be heard loudly cheering “USA, USA” when the royal couple appeared on the screens in the centre above the court.