![\"Project](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Project-Healthy-Minds-World-Mental-Health-Day-Festival.jpg\")
Harry and Meghan made their way into a gala where they were being honored (Image: Getty Images )<\/p>\nPrince Harry and Meghan Markle were snapped in the elevator moments before they were set to walk the red carpet at a swanky New York City charity gala, and the pictures tell a story of a couple in love and a man in need of validation<\/p>\n
11:20 ET, 18 Oct 2025Updated 11:21 ET, 18 Oct 2025<\/p>\n
Harry and Meghan made their way into a gala where they were being honored (Image: Getty Images )<\/p>\n
The Sussexes were heading into a $250,000 per table event when Prince Harry was caught giving Meghan a “bum-rub,”<\/a> and according to one expert, this wasn’t about PDA \u2014 it was all about timing.<\/p>\n Reputation specialist Eric Schiffer believes the move lacked the dignity expected from royalty and made Harry appear desperate<\/a> for attention, especially considering he and Meghan were about to receive a Humanitarians of the Year award that very night.<\/p>\n Schiffer told Mirror U.S., “It plays as needy validation and Harry knows royals lead with poise, not PDA choreography.”<\/p>\n READ MORE: Meghan Markle’s huge U-turn about children’s royal titles after ‘key conversation’<\/a>READ MORE: King Charles’ net worth surpasses Queen Elizabeth II’s as staggering amount revealed<\/a><\/p>\n Harry maintains a complicated relationship with the media; he despises them yet simultaneously depends on them, with Schiffer calling out his behavior.<\/p>\n The reputation specialist commented: “If you want to protect against clown-show vibes, don’t hand the press a brutal slapstick moment.”<\/p>\n While it appeared Harry simply got swept up in the excitement and spontaneously touched his wife’s backside, Schiffer argues there was much more calculation behind the gesture.<\/p>\n He explained: “In media terms, he fed the algorithm and starved gravitas.”<\/p>\n He continued: “He doesn’t want to confuse red carpets with reality TV because its the wrong set and wrong scene.”<\/p>\n Harry and Meghan were en route to the Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala, where they were receiving recognition as Humanitarians of the Year. We had the honor of attending the all-day festival that followed the gala, where we saw Harry speak and Meghan in the front row, showing her support.<\/p>\n Sign up to our FREE newsletter and get the top stories to your inbox<\/p>\n![\"Harry](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Harry-and-Meghan-in-New-York-City.jpg\")
Harry was spotted getting handsy on the red carpet(Image: Getty Images )<\/p>\n