The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared overjoyed as they received a
top accolade at a US awards bash on Saturday.
Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40,
delivered an acceptance speech at the NAACP Image
Awards, as they were named as recipients of the prestigious
President’s Award, which recognizes special achievement and distinguished
public service.
Appearing in person at the ceremony, Harry said: “I think it’s safe
to say I come from a very different background to my incredible wife, yet our
lives were brought together for a reason. We share a commitment to a life of
service, a responsibility to confront injustice and a belief that the most
overlooked are often the most important to listen to.”
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It was the couple’s first joint public appearance this year
Meghan, who looked breathtaking in a long blue gown by Black
designer Christopher John Rogers, added: “I couldn’t be prouder that
we’re doing this work together. We are so deeply humbled to be here in the
company of such illustrious awardees.”
The Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation is supporting a new NAACP-Archewell
Digital Civil Rights Award, which recognizes leaders creating
“transformational change at the intersection of social justice and
technology”.
“This community knows what it means to speak up for what is right
and to march forward is just,” said Harry, who looked dapper in an Ozwald
Boateng black tuxedo.
“As the fight for justice for justice still remains, it’s time to
extend this march to the world online, a place where hate and discrimination
are fuelled instantly, propagated globally and felt deeply.”
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Meghan revealed her mother Doria had joined them on the night
Meghan, who revealed her mother Doria had joined them too, added:
“This is the era of the digital justice movement. We are proud to partner
with NAACP and each of you to translate the vital efforts of those who came
before us to the modern challenges that exist ahead of us.”
Ahead of the bash, the couple said in a joint statement that the award was
a “true honour”.
They added that the efforts by US civil rights organizations the NAACP on
racial justice were as “vital” today as they were more than a hundred
years ago when it was founded.
Past recipients of the President’s Award include Muhammad Ali, Jesse
Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, LeBron James, Rihanna, Jay-Z and
Lauryn Hill.
The NAACP, which stands for the National Association for the Advancement
of Coloured People, was set up in 1909 in response to ongoing violence against
black people and is the US’s largest and most pre-eminent civil rights
organization, with more than two million activists.
Its Image Awards celebrate outstanding achievements and performances of
black and minority ethnic people in the arts.
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, said: “We’re thrilled
to present this award to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of
Sussex, who together have heeded the call to social justice and have joined the
struggle for equity both in the US and around the world.”
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The Sussexes pictured in New York last November
The Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation is supporting a new NAACP-Archewell
Digital Civil Rights Award, which recognizes leaders creating
“transformational change at the intersection of social justice and
technology”.
Mr. Johnson added: “Not only do they continue to lead by example,
the Duke and Duchess have also decided to inspire the next generation of
activists through the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award, ensuring the
support and recognition of generations of civil rights leaders to come.”
Harry and Meghan moved to the US in 2020 after stepping back as senior
royals. The couple are parents to two-year-old Archie and eight-month-old Lilibet.
