Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seemed to forget that they were in the middle of a pandemic during a visit to a Harlem middle school on Friday where they were seen hugging children - many of whom who were unlikely to be vaccinated.
The Sussexes arrived at Harlem's PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school where Meghan read to a group of students before they were photographed hugging dozens of young school children. The school teaches children from grade 3 through to grade 8, putting students between the ages of 8 and 13. However, the group the royal couple met with appeared to be young than 12.
The children and the couple were all seen wearing face masks, which have been mandatory in schools across the state since New York Governor Kathy Hochul reimplemented the mask mandate after she took office last month.
The official order requires students, faculty and staff for all grade levels wear face masks in both public and private schools.
The public safety measure comes at a time when children under the age of 12 have yet to get approval for a COVID-19 vaccine, and the new Delta variant makes up the majority of new cases.
Masks are not required for students eating lunch outside or for those who participate in outdoor sports but those who were meeting the Duke and Duchess all appeared to be wearing face coverings.
It all got too much for some of the children who were reduced to tears as they were embraced by the former working members of the royal family.
Meghan Markle hugs children at the PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school in Harlem during Friday's visit where she read her book
Harry hugs an emotional student during their visit which was touted as a way to promote early literacy for children
Students are required to wear masks while inside at school but outdoors the rules are relaxed
New York City schools have in-person learning this year although at least one school in Harlem has been forced to resume remote learning.
P.S. 79 in East Harlem went all-remote following the discovery of 19 COVID cases at the school.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has been adamant on all school learning to be in-person this year, but there are concerns.
'We do not hesitate to intervene to stop the spread. We follow stringent guidance from health experts to prevent any further transmission by quarantining close contacts, close classrooms, and if necessary, entire buildings,' a Department of Education spokesperson explained earlier this week.
'We're focusing on right now we need testing every week, not ever other week, especially in the elementary schools, where children can't be vaccinated, because that's our early warning system to keep those children safe,' UFT President Michael Mulgrew said to ABC7.
Across the city's traditional public schools, 635 classrooms were fully closed and 527 were partially closed as of Friday, according to the tracker. There were 197 total cases of COVID-19 over the last week in New York City schools consisting of 150 students and 47 staff.
Dozens of children at the school were able to grab a hug with the duke and duchess during their visit to a Harlem school
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex is seen in Harlem on Friday
The Sussexes came to the school alongside New York City Schools' Chancellor Meisha Porter late Friday morning, after leaving their luxury hotel in Manhattan in their fleet of gas-guzzling SUVs for day two of their three-day New York City tour.
Meghan sported a $5,840 Loro Piana cashmere coat and matching $1,680 pants for her visit to the public school which serves shelters for families without permanent homes. Her shoes are thought to be $665 Manolo Blahnik red suede pointed toe pumps.
She accessorized her look with around $387,000 worth of jewelry including her $350,000 engagement ring, a $4,500 diamond ring from her first public engagement with Harry as his fiancee, Princess Diana's $23,000 Cartier Tank watch, a $6,900 Cartier Love bracelet, and a $3,000 Jennifer Meyer tennis bracelet.
While there was no expense spared for Meghan's outfit for the visit - which designed to promote early literacy - data from NYC Department of Education reveals an estimated 95 percent of students at the public school fall on the economic need index.
The index means they face financial hardship, based on temporary housing, eligibility for public assistance and Census poverty rates.
A total of 94 percent of students are also eligible for free meals, according to Public School Review. This compares to 51 percent of students across the state.
Prince Harry bent down to receive hugs from several of the school children at the Harlem school
The prince is seen embracing a group of children at the school which is supported in part by nonprofit Graham Windham
Meghan hugs students at PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school in Harlem, New York City, during the visit Friday morning
Meghan donated copies of her book to the school and the students presented her with paper hearts of pink and white with drawings and messages as the Sussexes left the school
Harry jokes around with the children. Data from NYC Department of Education reveals an estimated 95 percent of students at the public school fall on the economic need index
Meghan chats with a little girl in the outdoor tent area at the Harlem school which was set up for the reading event
Meghan and Harry hug people at the school goodbye as they leave to embark on the remainder of their day's meetings
The couple appeared to have worked up an appetite during the visit as they then headed on to local soul food joint Melba's for a bite to eat.
The restaurant, founded by Harlem native Melba Wilson, ties in well with the Sussexes' whistlestop tour promoting vaccine equity as it became a COVID-19 vaccine pop-up to try to boost take-up in the neighborhood.
The couple had been spotted exiting the Carlyle Hotel on Manhattan's Upper East Side with
