Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's High-Profile Award Wins

Since splitting from the monarchy in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have launched new careers in the entertainment and philanthropic spaces in the U.S., and their efforts have been acknowledged.

From their home in Montecito, California, the royal couple have created production companies for documentaries and podcasts, published books, voiced campaigns and donated thousands of dollars through their Archewell charitable foundation.

With their post-monarchy work, Harry and Meghan have won both praise and criticism, with a side helping of controversy too. Despite this, several high-profile organizations have sought to publicly recognize their work in both entertainment and philanthropy.

The couple have accepted a number of prestigious awards over the past four years, providing them with an important and validating range of accolades to support their future roles and projects.

Here, Newsweek looks at the high-profile awards that Harry and Meghan have accepted since their split from the monarchy, from human rights recognitions to podcast prizes.

ESPY Pat Tillman Award for Service

On July 11, Harry will be formally announced as the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPN ESPY awards in Los Angeles.

Named to honor the legacy of former NFL player and military serviceman, Tillman, the award is given to prominent figures connected with sport who have used their positions to help others.

Harry, a former Apache helicopter co-pilot in the British Army who served two tours in Afghanistan, has been honored for his work with the Invictus Games, of which he is patron. The games serve as an international platform to showcase the mental and physical rehabilitation of wounded, sick and injured veterans through sport.

Though objections to the prince being given the award have been raised online and by Tillman's mother, ESPN backed the decision, saying in a statement: "While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating."

Living Legends of Aviation

In January 2024, Harry was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation group, at a star-studded California awards ceremony.

The awards honor figures who have made "significant contributions to aviation and aerospace" during the course of their careers. Harry was recognized for his service in the British Army Air Corps as a helicopter co-pilot.

Women of Vision

Meghan was honored for her "global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls" at the 2023 Women of Vision Awards in New York City.

The duchess, whose work to better the causes of women's rights and social justice predated her marriage into the royal family, was presented with the honor at a red-carpet awards ceremony by her friend, the journalist and feminist icon Gloria Steinem.

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award

Harry and Meghan were named recipients of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award in December 2022 for the work the couple have undertaken in promoting racial equality, social justice and mental health.

The couple attended the awards ceremony in New York alongside Kennedy's daughter, Kerry Kennedy, who praised their "willingness to speak up" and "moral courage."

At the time, the couple announced that their foundation would partner with the organization to launch their own award, the Archewell Foundation Award for Gender Equity in Student Film, which "recognizes exemplary student filmmakers whose videos profile women human rights defenders."

NAACP Image Awards—President's Award

Another award that Harry and Meghan were honored with, which had a focus on their work in promoting racial equality and social justice, was the President's Award at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson praised the couple for having "joined the struggle for equity both in the U.S. and around the world" since leaving the royal family.

The award win was coupled with the announcement that the royals' foundation would launch a new award in partnership with the NAACP, the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award.

People's Choice Award—Pop Podcast 2022

In 2022, Meghan received a professional podcasting boost when her first solo show Archetypes won a People's Choice Award in the "Pop Podcast" category.

Meghan didn't attend the awards show in person, but subsequently released a statement paying tribute to the hard work of the team that helped make the show such a success.

"Thank you to all the supporters and fans of Archetypes who voted for us for this special People's Choice Award. I loved digging my hands into the process, sitting up late at night in bed, working on the writing and creative. And I loved digging deep into meaningful conversation with my diverse and inspiring guests, laughing and learning with them, and with each of you listening," she said.

"It has been such a labor of love with an amazing team who were each instrumental in helping to bring this series to life. Above all, huge thanks to each of you who voted. Your support means the world."

Gracie Award—Top Entertainment Podcast Host

Another award came for Meghan in 2022, in the form of recognition for her podcast hosting skills.

The duchess was named "top entertainment podcast host" for Archetypes at the Gracie Awards, founded by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation.

In a statement, Meghan thanked the organization for the "prestigious honor" and paid tribute to her team and the show's "inspiring guests."

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

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