Meghan Markle and Prince Harry win Ripple of Hope award for fighting structural racism, then face denial over calling royals racist
Award honored their advocacy; weeks later, Harry disputed the use of the term ‘racist’ in a high-profile interview, renewing debate over their portrayal of the royal family.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were honored with the Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization in October 2022 for their advocacy against structural racism within the British royal family. Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the late U.S. senator and RFK, said the couple had long stood out for their willingness to address racial justice and mental health stigma, even at personal risk. The recognition placed the couple in a select cohort of high-profile figures praised for speaking out to change the narrative around social justice.
The award ceremony took place in New York City on December 6, 2022, just days before the release of their Netflix documentary series. The couple accepted the honor at a gala that featured other notable figures, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighting the event’s high-profile scope. Kerry Kennedy described Meghan and Harry as exemplars of moral courage for challenging what they described as a longstanding misunderstanding about racism and mental health within the institution. The RFK award is historically given to individuals who demonstrate a sustained commitment to equity, justice, and human rights, and past recipients have included U.S. presidents and other public figures.
Days after the New York gala, speculation about how the couple would respond to ongoing allegations intensified. In January 2023, while promoting his memoir Spare, Harry gave an interview to ITV’s Tom Bradby in which he was pressed on whether he would describe the remarks about Archie’s skin color as racist. He responded, in part, that he hadn’t called the royal family racist, saying, “No I didn’t. The British press said that. Did Meghan ever mention that they’re racist?” He then framed the issue as one of “unconscious bias” rather than outright racism and suggested there had been missed opportunities by Buckingham Palace to address matters raised by the Oprah Winfrey interview.
The interview and its aftermath drew urgent commentary from royal watchers and media analysts. Some argued that Harry’s response did not directly correct the broader narrative about racism within the royal institution, while others said the distinction between racism and unconscious bias had been presented as a central point in the couple’s critique. Experts noted that the term “unconscious bias” can be contentious and, depending on interpretation, may be used to deflect or dilute harsher accusations.
Harry later reiterated in other televised appearances that modernization and self-examination within the monarchy could be beneficial, while maintaining that the institution still has a place in the 21st century if it addresses issues of bias and representation more openly. The Ripple of Hope award, whose past recipients include former presidents and other prominent advocates, remains part of the couple’s public narrative as they pursue media projects and philanthropic work.
The episode underscores the dynamic tension between public advocacy and the evolving discourse around race and the monarchy. As Meghan and Harry continue to chart their post-royal path, observers will watch how their statements and strategic choices shape both their public image and ongoing conversations about equity, accountability, and institutional change.