Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez play tourist as they climb The Vessel at Hudson Yards in NYC

Smitten Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were spotted arm in arm playing tourists in New York City Monday after it emerged she told her brother of their extramarital affair before he eventually sold the story to the National Enquirer.

The two lovebirds were seen grabbing lunch at Friedman’s, a restaurant in Midtown Manhattan.

Sanchez arrived at the restaurant with her security detail around 2.15pm followed by Bezos who was seen pulling up to the eatery around 30 minutes later. He met Sanchez and her two children, who were waiting inside.

Twenty minutes later, Bezos, Sanchez and the children went to Hudson Yards, where they climbed the new public art installation the Vessel. It is a 150ft tall spiral staircase comprised of 2,500 steps covering 154 flights of stairs and offers views across New York City 

 

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos (right) is seen with his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez (left), in New York City on Monday

The couple appears to be very much in love despite recent headlines about how the National Enquirer got word of their extramarital affair

The couple appears to be very much in love despite recent headlines about how the National Enquirer got word of their extramarital affair

Bezos, Sanches, and her two children climbed to the top of the Vessel, the new attraction at Hudson Yards on Manhattan's West Side

Bezos, Sanches, and her two children climbed to the top of the Vessel, the new attraction at Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s West Side

Lauren Sanchez at the top of the Vessel

Jeff Bezos peaks down from the top of the Vessel

Sanchez (left) and Bezos (right) appear wary of heights as they look down from the top of the Vessel

Sanchez appears quite impressed with the height as she takes in the sight at Hudson Yards

Sanchez appears quite impressed with the height as she takes in the sight at Hudson Yards

The 'Vessel' is a public art structure on the West Side of Midtown Manhattan in Hudson Yards, New York

The ‘Vessel’ is a public art structure on the West Side of Midtown Manhattan in Hudson Yards, New York

After spending some time at the top of the structure, Bezos and Sanches walked arm in arm toward their awaiting SUVs and drove off – accompanied by their security detail.

Bezos, the 56-year-old Amazon founder and world’s richest man, and the former broadcast news anchor Sanchez were seen getting off a helicopter and into a dark SUV Sunday. Sanchez followed behind him with her daughter Eleanor, who she shares with her ex Patrick Whitesell. 

Later that night, the smitten pair were seen heading to a performance of West Side Story on Broadway, as a dapper Bezos tenderly held onto both Sanchez’s arm and hand.

The couple were fresh in from Washington D.C., where they held a bash the night before at Bezos’ new $23 million mansion, which was attended by Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Bill Gates and Ben Stiller. 

The New York trip comes after federal prosecutors said they obtained evidence that proved Sanchez’s brother Michael had sold texts Sanchez had sent him containing her intimate conversations with Bezos to the National Enquirer for $200,000.  

Earlier in the day, Sanchez was spotted entering Friedman's restaurant in Midtown Manhattan at around 2.15pm

Earlier in the day, Sanchez was spotted entering Friedman's restaurant in Midtown Manhattan at around 2.15pm

Sanchez was spotted entering Friedman’s restaurant in Midtown Manhattan at around 2.15pm

Sanchez was accompanied by her security detail as she entered the restaurant around half an hour before Bezos arrived

Sanchez was accompanied by her security detail as she entered the restaurant around half an hour before Bezos arrived

Thirty minutes later, Bezos walked into the restaurant to join his date and her children

Thirty minutes later, Bezos walked into the restaurant to join his date and her children

The Amazon chief was seen talking on his cell phone as he walked into the restaurant

The Amazon chief was seen talking on his cell phone as he walked into the restaurant

The couple did not seem to be rocked by the revelation, as Bezos and Sanchez looked smitten as ever as they left the Broadway show and as they strolled around the city Monday. 

Bezos dressed in a gray suit and Sanchez sported aviator glasses, a blue printed skirt and a long sleeved black top. Sanchez’s daughter Eleanor held her mother’s hand as they left the theater. 

Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported prosecutors in NYC obtained documents including a May 10, 2018 text message sent from Sanchez’s phone to her brother Michael, containing her intimate texts with Bezos. 

The Journal said it had reviewed the text messages as well as a $200,000 payment Michael received from the Enquirer under an October 2018 contract. 

On Sunday, Bezos was seen in New York City with Sanchez, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show, days after it was reported she was the one who disclosed their affair to her brother, who then sold the story to the National Enquirer - not Saudi Arabia . Pictured: Bezos, Sanchez and her daughter Eleanor

On Sunday, Bezos was seen in New York City with Sanchez, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show, days after it was reported she was the one who disclosed their affair to her brother, who then sold the story to the National Enquirer – not Saudi Arabia . Pictured: Bezos, Sanchez and her daughter Eleanor 

The smitten pair were seen heading to a performance of West Side Story on Broadway, as a dapper Bezos tenderly held onto both Sanchez's arm and hand

The smitten pair were seen heading to a performance of West Side Story on Broadway, as a dapper Bezos tenderly held onto both Sanchez’s arm and hand

Bezos dressed in a gray suit and Sanchez sported aviator glasses, a blue printed skirt and a black long sleeved top

Sanchez's daughter Eleanor held her hand as they left the theater

Bezos dressed in a gray suit and Sanchez sported aviator glasses, a blue printed skirt and a black long sleeved top. Sanchez’s daughter Eleanor held her hand as they left the theater

Michael Sanchez (pictured) is Lauren Sanchez's brother. Prosecutors have evidence that he obtained her text messages

Part of the Bezos' leaked text messages that were published in the Enquirer are seen

The sighting comes after federal prosecutors said they obtained evidence that proved Sanchez’s brother Michael (left) had sold texts Sanchez had sent him containing her intimate conversations with Bezos (right) to the National Enquirer for $200,000 

Prosecutors obtained the documents in an ongoing investigation into Bezos’ allegation that the Enquirer tried to extort him by threatening to publish his nude pictures, as well as whether his phone was hacked. 

Bezos himself has long pushed the suggestion that Saudi Arabia was involved as the Enquirer’s source.

Last week, Bezos’ investigators, endorsed by U.N. officials, indicated that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia had sent malicious code in a WhatsApp message that compromised Bezos’ cell phone.

Saudi Arabia denies hacking Bezos’ phone. The Enquirer claims that Michael was their source for the bombshell story that revealed Bezos’ affair, while Michael denies he had anything to do with it. 

‘In September of 2018, Michael Sanchez began providing all materials and information to our reporters,’ a spokesman for American Media told the Journal. 

The spokesman said that any suggestion that a third party, such as Saudi Arabia, ‘was involved in or in any way influenced our reporting is false.’

The couple arrived to the city via helicopter on Sunday. Last week, Bezos' investigators, endorsed by U.N. officials, indicated that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia had sent malicious code in a WhatsApp message that compromised Bezos' cell phone

The couple arrived to the city via helicopter on Sunday. Last week, Bezos’ investigators, endorsed by U.N. officials, indicated that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia had sent malicious code in a WhatsApp message that compromised Bezos’ cell phone

Saudi Arabia denies hacking Bezos' phone. The Enquirer claims that Michael was their source for the bombshell story that revealed Bezos' affair, while Michael denies he had anything to do with it. The couple are seen arriving in NYC Sunday

Saudi Arabia denies hacking Bezos’ phone. The Enquirer claims that Michael was their source for the bombshell story that revealed Bezos’ affair, while Michael denies he had anything to do with it. The couple are seen arriving in NYC Sunday

Included in the tabloid's exposé was a quote from the Bezos text message that the Journal says Lauren Sanchez had sent to her brother in May 2018

Included in the tabloid’s exposé was a quote from the Bezos text message that the Journal says Lauren Sanchez had sent to her brother in May 2018 

Michael told the Journal in an emailed statement: ‘With spoon-fed lies and half-truths, Wall Street Journal keeps getting it wrong.’  

In January 2019, the Enquirer exposed Bezos’ extramarital affair with Sanchez. The same week he abruptly announced a separation from his wife of 26 years, and has been romantically linked with Sanchez ever since.

Included in the tabloid’s exposé was a quote from a text message from Bezos that the Journal says Lauren had sent to her brother in May 2018.

Another text message sent from Sanchez’s phone to her brother’s on July 3, 2018 includes a photo of a shirtless Bezos, according to the Journal. 

Despite the ongoing drama, Bezos and Sanchez have put on an united front, recently seen on a trip to India and on Saturday night thew a lavish party at Bezos’ new Washington D.C. home.

The Amazon founder purchased the $23 million mansion in 2016 and it underwent three years of renovations and construction. 

Despite the ongoing drama, Bezos and Sanchez have put on an united front, recently going on a trip to India together and on Saturday night thew a lavish party at Bezos' new Washington D.C. home (pictured)

Despite the ongoing drama, Bezos and Sanchez have put on an united front, recently going on a trip to India together and on Saturday night thew a lavish party at Bezos’ new Washington D.C. home (pictured)  

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared walked out hand in hand from Alfafa Dinner  on Saturday night to attend a grand welcoming party at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' new Washington DC mansion

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared walked out hand in hand from Alfafa Dinner  on Saturday night to attend a grand welcoming party at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ new Washington DC mansion

Microsoft founder and fellow tech genius Bill Gates was spotted at the elegant affair on Saturday to welcome Bezos into Washington DC society

Microsoft founder and fellow tech genius Bill Gates was spotted at the elegant affair on Saturday to welcome Bezos into Washington DC society

Actor Ben Stiller, who was Sen. Mitt Romney's guest at the dinner, was seen in good spirits arriving to the sprawling mansion on Saturday

Actor Ben Stiller, who was Sen. Mitt Romney’s guest at the dinner, was seen in good spirits arriving to the sprawling mansion on Saturday 

Bezos rubbed shoulders with his political friends inviting Senator Mitt Romney to the party with his wife Ann

Romney wore a smart black suit for the occasion and his wife wore a grey ensemble

Bezos rubbed shoulders with his political friends inviting Senator Mitt Romney to the party with his wife Ann 

White House Adviser Kellyanne Conway also attended sporting an elegant black halter dress for the occasion

White House Adviser Kellyanne Conway also attended sporting an elegant black halter dress for the occasion

The 27,000-square-foot home is tucked in the city’s wealthy Kalorama district near the residences of former President Barack Obama and the Trump-Kushner family. 

Bezos invited his high-flying friends to his home after they attended the annual, exclusive Alfalfa Club Dinner in DC.  

The Alfalfa Club holds an annual black tie banquet and political roast on the last Saturday of January every year. The event is only open to the 200 members of the club and has an invitation system. The exclusive event is not open to the press. 

Guests arrived in elegant suits and floor-length dresses for the swanky affair, but Bezos and his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez were nowhere to be seen at the entrance to the 11-bedroom, 25-bathroom grand mansion.

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared seemed loved up as they arrived to the mansion. 

Senator Mitt Romney, who was the keynote speaker at the dinner, was also dressed in a smart suit and bowtie with his wife Ann, who wore a gray satin ensemble. 

White House Adviser Kellyanne Conway attended in an elegant black halter dress.  

Not only did Bezos expand his political circle, but he also invited Microsoft founder Bill Gates to the event as well as actor Ben Stiller, who was Senator Romney’s guest. 

Many guests were seen wearing a special gold medallions around their neck designating them as Alfalfa Club members.  

While several presidents have been members and former presidents including George W Bush and Barack Obama spoke at the Alfalfa banquets in the past, Donald Trump is yet to be invited.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk