Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trophy shelf has been filling up fast.
On Thursday, the couple was crowned “Humanitarians of the Year” at the Project Healthy Minds Gala in New York City — their third philanthropic accolade in less than four years.
The Sussexes have swapped royal duties for red carpet appearances at glitzy charity galas since fleeing the royal family, feted for their work pursuing “racial justice,” “gender equity,” “mental wellness” and “safer online spaces” through their charity, Archewell.
Meanwhile, Meghan has also been individually honored for advocating on “behalf of women and girls,” while Harry has taken to the stage to accept honors for his military service and his championing of wounded veterans.
And while they are seemingly struggling to define themselves in Hollywood, with tepid Netflix ratings and an axed Spotify deal, you wouldn’t know it from their award wins. Meghan has received multiple prizes for podcasting — despite the fact that her “Archetypes” series was not renewed for a second season.
In an industry that likes to pat itself on the back, even the Sussexes stand out as seemingly professional prize-winners. Below, a look at the honors they’ve received in recent years.
And, beware: it’s a lengthy list.
NAACP Image Awards President’s Award | February 2022
Less than a year after leveling accusations of racism at the royal family in their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, the couple was honored at the NAACP Image Awards for their “social justice work.”
NAACP President Derrick Johnson praised the pair, proclaiming that they have “heeded the call to social justice and have joined the struggle for equity both in the U.S. and around the world.”
Past recipients of the prestigious President’s Award include Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Muhammad Ali and LeBron James, putting the Sussexes on par with political power players and global sporting icons.
At the event, the couple claimed that they have “committed ourselves and our organization, Archewell, to illuminating those who are advancing racial justice and progress.”
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award | December 2022
Each year, the family of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy honors “outstanding champions of social justice who stand up to oppression, even at great personal risk, in the nonviolent pursuit of human rights.”
In 2022, the Sussexes received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award, cutting a glam figure on the red carpet before being lauded by Kennedy scion Kerry.
The pair were praised for their “willingness to speak up and change the narrative on racial justice and mental health around the world.”
The accolade inspired them to partner with the Kennedy family in the creation of The Archewell Foundation Award for Gender Equity in Student Film.
Ms. Foundation’s Women of Vision Award | May 2023
Harry supported Meghan at the 2023 Women of Vision Awards in New York, where she was named an honoree by the Ms. Foundation for her “global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls.”
Foundation president and CEO Teresa C. Younger praised Meghan’s “strength, resilience, passion and tenacity” before the award was presented by feminist icon and Ms. magazine founder Gloria Steinem.
On stage, Meghan claimed to have been a “young feminist” who had “evolved into a grown activist.”
Sadly, the accolade was overshadowed after Meghan and Harry were chased by paparazzi through the streets of Midtown Manhattan after the event. The couple was ridiculed after they described the situation as a “near-catastrophic car chase.”
Gracie Award, Top Entertainment Podcast Host | May 2023
The Gracie Awards, founded by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation to recognize outstanding work and content contributed to the entertainment industry by women, lauded Meghan’s Spotify “Archetypes” podcast series as a “groundbreaking” piece of work.
The Duchess of Sussex didn’t appear at the awards ceremony, held in Beverly Hills, as it came hot on the heels of the car chase drama.
Meanwhile, the win came less than a month before Spotify and Archewell Productions announced they had “mutually agreed to part ways,” and there would be no second season of Meghan’s podcast.
Despite the perceived professional failure, the Gracie Award was actually the second prize the Duchess nabbed for her Spotify series. She also won a 2022 People’s Choice Award for Pop Podcast.
Living Legends of Aviation | January 2024
Harry was flying high after receiving this award, which honors those who have made “significant contributions to aviation and aerospace.
The prince attended the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles, accepting the award for his duties as a helicopter co-pilot during a tour of Afghanistan.
It landed Harry in hot water, though, with many claiming he didn’t deserve the accolade, which had previously been won by renowned astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
Pat Tillman Award, ESPYs | July 2024
The ESPY award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions in the world, echoing the legacy of the late Pat Tillman, an NFL player who gave up his career to enlist in the armed forces after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
News that Harry would receive the award for his work with the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 and provides athletic and healing opportunities to wounded veterans from around the world, was also met with outcry from many — including from Tillman’s own mother.
However, Harry attended the televised awards show alongside Meghan, where he took to the stage to receive the honor.
Humanitarians of the Year Award, Project Healthy Minds Gala | October 2025
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were honored at the Project Healthy Minds Gala in New York City on Thursday night for their work with the Archewell Foundation.
While on stage, the pair advocated for online safety, speaking out against the concerns they have about parenting their kids in the digital age.
“Our children, Archie and Lilibet, are just 6 and 4 years old,” Markle told the audience at Manhattan’s Spring Studios, according to a video posted online. “Luckily, they’re still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming.”
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