Harry and Meghan Ripple of Hope award controversy: from praise to denial of racism claims

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry were honored in October 2022 with the Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization for challenging what the foundation described as structural racism within the royal family, according to Kerry Kennedy. In a statement accompanying the award, Kennedy praised the couple for speaking out about racial justice and mental health and said they had demonstrated moral courage in addressing institutional shortcomings. The recognition came as the couple prepared for the release of their Netflix documentary series and as global audiences watched the royal drama unfold in real time.

The award ceremony took place in New York City on December 6, 2022, two days before the debut of their highly anticipated Netflix docuseries and alongside other honorees such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kerry Kennedy described Meghan and Harry as exemplars of a willingness to challenge entrenched power structures and to confront ongoing inequities at a time when the couple had warned of consequences for speaking out. The Ripple of Hope honor is typically granted to figures who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to social change and rights protection; past recipients include former U.S. presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden, as well as Kamala Harris.

Days after the gala, scrutiny intensified as questions about how the couple described their relationship with the monarchy resurfaced. The Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021 — in which Meghan indicated there had been concerns about “how dark” Archie’s skin might be before birth — had already provoked quiet disquiet within Buckingham Palace, and the royal family’s traditional communications approach became a topic of renewed debate. The couple’s allies and critics alike argued about whether the remarks indicated systemic racism or broader concerns about representation and inclusion within the institution.

In the weeks that followed, Harry found himself at the center of fresh controversy when he disputed a claim that the couple had called the royal family racist. In an interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby ahead of the release of Spare, Bradby pressed Harry on whether the comments about Archie's skin color could be described as racist. Harry responded, according to extended excerpts, with, “No I didn’t. The British press said that. Did Meghan ever mention that they’re racist?” He then emphasized that the distinction between racism and unconscious bias existed and suggested that his comments were misinterpreted or weaponized by media and others. He argued that the remark about unconscious bias was later presented as a broader moral failing of the institution rather than an explicit accusation of racism.

The interview marked a notable shift in the couple’s public narrative. Critics argued that Harry had not directly corrected the broader “racism” framing during the media furor that followed Oprah Winfrey’s interview, while supporters contended that he was navigating a highly charged landscape where precise language could be exploited by opponents. Royal commentators described the moment as a test of accountability and narrative control, with some noting that acknowledging unconscious bias can be a step toward change, while others criticized the continued use of the term without explicit reference to the royal family as an institution.

The broader context of the Ripple of Hope award, which honors social change and human rights advocacy, has long included high-profile leaders and reformers. The recognition for Meghan and Harry arrived at a time when the couple had already begun shaping a global platform focused on racial justice, mental health, and equity. For fans of the couple, the award underscored a commitment to speaking out against injustice; for critics, it intensified questions about how far public declarations should extend into critique of a nation’s most storied institutions.

Legal and media analysts watch the evolving dialogue with interest because it intersects issues of race, tradition, media framing, and the future of constitutional monarchy in the 21st century. The Royal Family has historically faced intense scrutiny over its handling of diversity and inclusion, and the discussion around unconscious bias versus overt racism continues to feed a broader debate about modernization and reform within royal governance. Harry’s broader commentary in subsequent appearances — including remarks about modernizing the monarchy and the need for a process to confront bias — suggested that, in his view, some form of institutional evolution was warranted, even if critics argued the method and timing had been controversial.

As the world watches, the Ripple of Hope award remains a touchstone in a larger conversation about accountability, representation, and responsibility within the institutions that shape modern leadership. The episode also highlights how public figures who speak out on race and inequality must navigate a highly charged, polarized media environment where words are dissected and reinterpreted. For Meghan and Harry, the balance between advocacy and diplomacy continues to define their evolving relationship with the royal establishment and their roles on the world stage.