Meghan Markle appeared at the Endeavour Awards last night at
the Goldsmiths Hall in London alongside her fiancé Prince
Harry, and presented an award, albeit with a slight hitch.
Meghan was
called up to the stage to help present the second award of the
night, the Celebrating Excellence Award, alongside past winner Neil
Heritage.
She told
the audience that she was “truly privileged to be here” and then
turned to Heritage to open an envelope announcing the nominees.
Rebecca English, the royal correspondent from the Daily
Mail captured the moment on video.
#MeghanMarkle’s first award ceremony didn’t entirely go to plan….. @EndeavourFund pic.twitter.com/ksCQyXHdkY
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) February 1, 2018
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Meghan
waits patiently while Heritage tries to open the envelope. After a
few seconds of struggle, he smiles, causing Meghan to smile as
well, leaning in to see if she can help him out. The audience
chuckles, and eventually Heritage opens the envelope, and reads the
names.
Meghan and
Heritage then announced the winner as Daniel Claricoates, a former
soldier who has climbed to some of the highest mountains in Africa
and Antarctica with 65 Degrees North.
Claricoates,
who is from Plymouth, was awarded the Military Cross for his tours
in Afghanistan. After returning home, he noted that he was dealing
with a severe case of PTSD.
“I don’t
really feel deserving,” Claircoates said to reporters afterwards.
“It’s like the other award I have the privilege to wear – it’s not
my award.”
The
Endeavour Awards marks the first evening engagement for Meghan. She
and Prince Harry attended a pre-ceremony reception for VIP guests
including the nominees, Endeavour participants and
funders.
The Endeavour Fund is a branch of The
Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince
Harry, and uses seed funding for “sporting and adventure challenges
and helps emerging initiatives with advice, hands-on support and
mentoring.”
“The Royal Foundation hopes that the
Endeavour Fund will inspire many more wounded Servicemen and women
to explore new physical challenges as part of their recovery,”
reads their website, adding that the Fund also hopes to help
rebuild confidence and look ahead with “optimism to the next
chapter of their lives.”
