Since splitting from the monarchy in 2020 and moving to California with their young family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made efforts to forge careers in the philanthropic and entertainment spheres, gaining notable partnerships and industry recognition along the way.
Through the couple's Archewell Foundation, they have found an avenue to channel their passions for social work and advocacy, with key focuses on community empowerment, equality and enhanced representation, mental health and support for veterans.
Through Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio, the couple have exercised their creative muscles, creating both documentary and podcast content for major streaming services, notably Meghan's 12-episode podcast, Archetypes.
Over the past four years, Meghan and Harry have been given a number of high-profile awards, from human rights recognitions to pop culture honors.
Most recently, Harry's induction as one of the "Living Legends of Aviation" brought a backlash, with top ex-armed-forces members in Britain slamming the decision and saying other high-profile aviators were more deserving.
Here, Newsweek looks at six high-profile awards that Harry and Meghan have accepted during their time in the U.S., what they got them for and what legacy they have.
NAACP Image Awards - President's Award
In February 2022, Meghan and Harry were named recipients of the President's Award at the NAACP Image Awards for their work in promoting and advocating for social justice and more equal societies around the world.
"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 U.S. and around the world," NAACP President Derrick Johnson said about the couple's win in a statement.
As well as accepting the award, Harry and Meghan used the opportunity to launch their own prize, funded through the Archewell Foundation.
"Not only do they continue to lead by example," Johnson said. "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 accepted the President's Award in person at the Los Angeles NAACP Image Awards ceremony.
People's Choice Award - Pop Podcast 2022
In the summer of 2022, Meghan released her first (and so far only) podcast series, Archetypes, through the Archewell Audio partnership with streaming giant Spotify.
The 12-episode show sought to "dissect, explore, and subvert the labels that try to hold women back." It featured interviews conducted by the duchess with such stars as Serena Williams, Mariah Carey and Paris Hilton.
In December 2022, Archetypes was named the top Pop Podcast 2022 at the People's Choice Awards. Though Meghan did not attend the star-studded ceremony, she released a statement thanking fans for voting for the show in its category.
"Thank you to all the supporters and fans of Archetypes who voted for us for this special People's Choice Award," she said. "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 went on: "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."
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award
In December 2022, Harry and Meghan were named recipients of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award for their work in the mental health and racial justice spheres.
Kennedy's daughter Kerry Kennedy said of the royals' induction into the awards honor roll: "When the duke and duchess accepted our award laureate invitation back in March, we were thrilled. The couple has always stood out for their willingness to speak up and change the narrative on racial justice and mental health around the world. They embody the type of moral courage that my father once called the 'one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.'"
Harry and Meghan attended the awards ceremony in New York City. During their acceptance speech, they said they were "honored" to receive such recognition, adding, "Together we know that a ripple of hope can turn into a wave of change."
The couple also launched their own partnership with the program, the Archewell Foundation Award for Gender Equity in Student Film.
Women of Vision Award
In May 2023, Meghan and Harry attended the Women of Vision Awards in New York City, where Meghan was named an honoree by the Ms. Foundation for her "global advocacy to empower and advocate on behalf of women and girls."
The Duchess was presented with the award by her friend Gloria Steinem and was accompanied for the evening by her mother, Doria Ragland.
The awards show win was somewhat overshadowed by a paparazzi incident that took place after the ceremony. It was described by the royals' spokesperson as a "near catastrophic car chase."
Gracie Award - Top Entertainment Podcast Host
Following her People's Choice win for Archetypes, the Gracie Awards announced in March 2023 that Meghan had been named "top Entertainment Podcast Host" for the "groundbreaking" series.
The Gracies were founded by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation to recognize outstanding work and content contributed to the entertainment industry by women.
Meghan did not attend the awards ceremony but released a statement through the Archewell website in which she thanked the team behind the Archetypes show.
"Thank you to the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation for this prestigious honor," she said. This is a shared success for me and the team behind Archetypes—most of whom are women—and the inspiring guests who joined me each week."
Living Legends of Aviation
On January 19, Prince Harry attended a star-studded gala in Los Angeles where he was officially inducted as one of the "Living Legends of Aviation," which include Elon Musk, Buzz Aldrin and John Travolta.
According to the organization, the awards honor people who have made "significant contributions to aviation and aerospace." Harry's aviation history tracks back to his time in the Army Air Corps, when he served as a helicopter co-pilot and gunner during a tour of Afghanistan.
Harry was introduced at the awards gala by Travolta, who, he joked, had "dined out" on a story of dancing with his mother, Princess Diana, at the White House in 1985.
"This is nice," he told the gala attendees as he assessed his ribbon and medal. "Thanks very much, Captain John."
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.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
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