Royals Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Enjoy Rare 'Date Night' in N.Y.C.: 'We Don't Get Out Much' "I actually thought we were just going on a date night, so I find it quite weird that we're sharing the room with 1,500 people," Prince Harry joked By Anna Lazarus Caplan Anna Lazarus Caplan Instagram Twitter Digital News Writer, PEOPLE People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 7, 2022 09:51 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Tuesday was date night for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in New York City! At the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award Gala, where the couple was honored, Harry, 38, said he and his wife were enjoying a rare evening out, minus their two children. "I actually thought we were just going on a date night, so I find it quite weird that we're sharing the room with 1,500 people," joked Harry while speaking on stage with Meghan, 41, and Kerry Kennedy. He continued, "We don't get out much 'cause our kids are so small and young, so this is completely unexpected. It's nice to share date night with all of you — thank you for coming!" While 3½-year-old Archie Harrison and 18-month-old Lilibet Diana were at home in California, Meghan and Harry picked up the Ripple of Hope Award for their work in racial justice, mental health and other social-impact actions through their Archewell foundation. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Mike Coppola/Getty Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Have a Glamorous Night Out in New York City The couple's return to the Big Apple comes months after they appeared at the United Nations, when Harry gave a special address in honor of Nelson Mandela Day in July. In September 2021, Harry and Meghan spent several days in the city, visiting One World Observatory at the World Trade Center with former Mayor Bill de Blasio, his wife Chirlane McCray, their son Dante de Blasio and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Kevin Mazur/Getty During the trip, they also met with U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Meghan read her children's book The Bench to second-grade students at P.S. 123 Mahalia Jackson School in Harlem. Additionally, the pair appeared on stage at Global Citizen Live in Central Park, where they spoke up about the world's need for COVID-19 vaccine equity. RELATED VIDEO: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Netflix Docuseries Release Date Revealed: "We Know the Full Truth" Kennedy, 63, previously told Spanish news outlet El Confidencial's Vanitatis magazine that Harry and Meghan exemplified the "moral courage" against injustice that Kennedy's father famously called for in his iconic Ripple of Hope speech at the University of Cape Town in South Africa over 50 years ago, when apartheid reigned. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also attended the gala, which was emceed by Alec Baldwin, and received the Ripple of Hope Award for his courageous leadership amid the Russian invasion. Fellow 2022 laureates were Siris co-founder Frank Baker, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan and Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky. The ceremony also posthumously recognized NBA legend and civil-rights activist Bill Russell.