Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been in the public eye for years, but their appearance at the NAACP Image Awards was more than just a photoshoot. In February 2022, the couple were recognized by the NAACP for their distinguished public service and philanthropic contributions, accepting the President’s Award at the awards ceremony.
The President’s Award is a prestigious honor given to Black public figures such as Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, LeBron James and Rihanna. It turns out that Harry and Meghan have been doing some pretty remarkable work through their Archewell Foundation over the last two years—work that has focused on “vaccine equity, global relief centres, refugee resettlement, the care of families and communities in need, and the reshaping of our online world” Plus, they brought Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland along for an extra dose of royal family fun!
Meghan Markle is no stranger to speaking out about race—in fact she has been vocal about her own experiences with racism since she joined the Royal family in 2018. Of course this wasn’t without its share of controversy—some people thought it was inappropriate for a British royal to bring up issues like racism or colonialism in public.
But regardless, the Duchess of Sussex has always been passionate about using her platform to make a difference. The couple had made several revelations in their Netflix documentary which became the third most-watched show of any streaming service in the UK in 2022, including Prime Video and Disney+ confirmed by Netflix.
The couple have done that through their Archewell foundation—by taking action rather than simply making statements. They have worked hard to make communities more equitable—working with organizations such as World Central Kitchen and National Urban League to provide food security and educational opportunities respectively.
Following Meghan Markle’s disclosure of her genetic ancestry connection to Nigeria, her and Prince Harry had donated an undisclosed amount to help the flood victims in Nigeria. The couple made the donation after learning of the devastation caused by the floods last year. Many people lost their homes and possessions, and children have been left orphaned.
The floods which caused 1.3 million people to be displaced, 600 deaths and 2,400 injuries. The donation was intended to provide much-needed relief for the victims. It is heartwarming to see The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no longer member of the royal family and its protocol, but showing commitment to helping the vulnerable.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have come a long way since joining forces back in 2018; from shaking up tradition within the monarchy to fighting for social justice abroad- these two are setting a legacy of change.
