Additional Coverage:
- Prince Harry, Meghan Markle ‘wrong winners’ of humanitarian award amid ongoing royal tensions: experts (foxnews.com)
Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Receive Humanitarian Award, Drawing Expert Skepticism
NEW YORK, NY – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are preparing to accept the “Humanitarians of the Year” award in New York City next month, a decision that has sparked considerable debate among royal experts.
The couple is slated to be honored at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala on October 9. They are being recognized for their dedicated efforts to “make the online world a safer place for families and young people, and for their strides to advance mental well-being globally,” according to reports from People magazine.
However, the impending award has left several royal commentators puzzled. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams voiced his reservations to Fox News Digital, acknowledging the couple’s work in mental health awareness but questioning their suitability for such an honor.
“Despite the work they have undoubtedly done to highlight mental health issues… surely, they are the wrong winners for this sort of award,” Fitzwilliams stated. He highlighted their estrangement from their families and “deeply destructive attacks on the royal family” for personal and financial gain, suggesting that humanitarian award recipients should embody a more positive approach.
He specifically criticized the mention of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” among his achievements for the award, given its content.
The Duke, 41, and Duchess, 44, established the Archewell Foundation in 2020 with the mission to “show up, do good,” and have since launched The Parent’s Network, aimed at supporting families impacted by online harm.
The timing of this recognition coincides with Meghan’s continued efforts to forge an entrepreneurial path since their 2020 departure from senior royal duties. This year has seen her launch a lifestyle brand, As Ever, and the premiere of her Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan.” She also made headlines recently with her Paris Fashion Week debut, attending the Balenciaga show to support creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli.
Despite these ventures, British royals expert Hilary Fordwich argued that Meghan’s post-royal activities have yet to demonstrate significant humanitarian impact. Fordwich suggested that the Duchess is “reverting to glitzy, high-profiled events in an attempt to reset public perception” rather than focusing on truly transformative charitable pursuits, casting doubt on the likelihood of a “third act” success in Hollywood.
The couple’s royal exit was prompted by what they cited as intrusive press coverage and a perceived lack of palace support. Following their relocation to California, they openly discussed their struggles with royal life in various interviews and documentaries.
Harry’s 2023 memoir, “Spare,” further exacerbated family tensions by revealing intimate details and accusing palace courtiers, whom he dubbed “Bee, Wasp and Fly,” of conspiring against him. Buckingham Palace has remained silent on these claims.
Family relations remain strained, with Harry having seen his father, King Charles III, only recently on September 10, after more than a year. Reports indicate that Harry and his brother, Prince William, are still not on speaking terms, and Meghan has not returned to the U.K. since their departure.
Branding expert Doug Eldridge commented on Meghan’s public image, suggesting she made a “major miscalculation” by criticizing the royal family, leading to a “self-inflicted cycle of PR triage.” He contended that her “Duchess” title now holds “little significance and zero responsibility.”
Kinsey Schofield, host of “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” echoed this sentiment, stating that despite no longer being working royals, their retained titles carry higher expectations. “You have to be careful not to jeopardize the institution,” Schofield emphasized, noting that their associations and behavior reflect on the monarchy.
She added that without the “mystique and responsibility of their royal roles,” the Sussexes have been “reduced to celebrities” who risk audiences “tuning out” due to constant reinvention without clear purpose.
However, Eldridge also offered a more optimistic view, suggesting Meghan has made an “effective, possibly lasting, course correction” over the past year by moving away from “victim marketing and ad hominem attacks” to focus on business and family.
In a statement shared with People magazine, the couple expressed their gratitude for the award, saying, “Working with families and young people to prioritize safety online has been some of the most meaningful work of our lives.” They added, “As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of their stories and are honored to support them… We’re proud to be longtime partners of Project Healthy Minds as we work together to shine a light on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
On October 10, the Duke and Duchess will also participate in Project Healthy Minds’ fourth annual World Mental Health Day Festival, with their Archewell Foundation co-producing a series of conversations focused on mental health improvement.
As the Sussexes continue to navigate their post-royal chapter, the spotlight remains on their endeavors, with experts largely agreeing that the time has come for them to “show up, do good.”