Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: From Royal Duties to Humanitarian Accolades

In a striking transition from royal responsibilities to philanthropic endeavors, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have amassed an impressive collection of humanitarian awards since departing from the British royal family. Most recently honored as “Humanitarians of the Year” at the Project Healthy Minds Gala in New York City, the couple has received three major philanthropic accolades in less than four years. Through their foundation Archewell, they have focused on causes including racial justice, gender equity, mental wellness, and creating safer online spaces. While their Hollywood ventures have seen mixed results—with modest Netflix viewership and a discontinued Spotify deal—their recognition in the humanitarian sphere continues to grow, positioning them alongside respected figures in politics, sports, and social justice movements.

Their journey into award recognition began notably in February 2022, less than a year after their revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey, when they received the NAACP Image Awards President’s Award for their social justice work. NAACP President Derrick Johnson praised their commitment to equity both in the United States and globally, placing them in the company of distinguished past recipients like Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Muhammad Ali, and LeBron James. Later that same year, in December, the couple was honored with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award, which recognizes “outstanding champions of social justice who stand up to oppression.” During this ceremony, they were specifically commended for their “willingness to speak up and change the narrative on racial justice and mental health around the world,” further cementing their status as influential voices for change rather than simply former royals.

The accolades continued into 2023, with Meghan individually recognized at the Ms. Foundation’s Women of Vision Awards for her “global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls.” Presented by feminist icon Gloria Steinem, this award celebrated Meghan’s “strength, resilience, passion and tenacity” in her advocacy work. During her acceptance speech, Meghan described herself as having evolved from “a young feminist” into “a grown activist.” Though this particular honor was somewhat overshadowed by a controversial incident afterward—when the couple described what they called a “near-catastrophic car chase” with paparazzi through Manhattan, a characterization that drew skepticism—it nonetheless added to their growing list of recognitions from established advocacy organizations.

Meghan’s brief foray into podcasting also garnered recognition despite its premature end. Her Spotify series “Archetypes” earned her the Gracie Award for Top Entertainment Podcast Host in May 2023, with the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation describing it as “groundbreaking.” Interestingly, this award came just before Spotify and Archewell Productions announced they would “mutually part ways,” ending any possibility of a second season. She had previously won a 2022 People’s Choice Award for Pop Podcast for the same series. Meanwhile, Harry received his own individual honors, including recognition from the Living Legends of Aviation in January 2024 for his service as a helicopter co-pilot during his tour in Afghanistan—though this award sparked controversy, as some questioned whether his achievements merited comparison to previous recipients like astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

Further recognition came in July 2024, when Harry received the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPYs for his work founding and developing the Invictus Games, which provides athletic and healing opportunities to wounded veterans worldwide. Although this honor also generated some controversy—including objections from Tillman’s own mother—Harry attended the televised ceremony with Meghan to accept the award. Most recently, their joint recognition as Humanitarians of the Year at the Project Healthy Minds Gala in October 2025 highlighted their advocacy for online safety, particularly as it relates to their own children. Speaking at Manhattan’s Spring Studios, Meghan shared personal concerns about raising their young children Archie and Lilibet (aged 6 and 4) in the digital age, noting, “Luckily, they’re still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming.”

Throughout their post-royal journey, Harry and Meghan have navigated a complex path of public perception. While their entertainment industry ventures have yielded mixed results, their humanitarian work continues to earn them significant recognition from established institutions. Each award has positioned them further away from their former identities as working royals and closer to their desired image as global advocates for social change. Whether viewed as deserving recipients or beneficiaries of celebrity culture’s self-congratulatory tendencies, the Sussexes have undeniably built a new foundation for themselves centered on advocacy work—creating a legacy distinct from, yet inevitably connected to, their royal origins. Their evolution from members of Britain’s most traditional institution to internationally recognized champions of progressive causes represents one of the most fascinating public transformations in recent memory.