CNN
–
The The Duke and Duchess of Sussex “We know a wave of hope can turn into a wave of change,” they said, after being honored in New York for their work in the field of racial justice and mental health.
Prince Harry And the Megan She was in the Big Apple to receive the 2022 Ripple of Hope Award Tuesday night from the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation. Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR).
The award honors “exemplary leaders across government, business, advocacy, and entertainment who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to social change and worked to advance equality, justice, and human rights,” according to the organizers.
The couple stopped briefly on the blue carpet to pose for photographers before making their way to the event. They haven’t stopped talking to the media or answering reporters’ questions about the upcoming Netflix docu-series, which is set to release on the streaming platform Thursday.
During the ceremony, the Sussexes announced a new collaboration between their non-profit organization and RFKHR.
“We are honored to receive the RFK Ripple of Hope Award this year, and to partner with the Kennedy family to create the Archewell Foundation Prize for Gender Equality in Student Films,” the couple said in a statement. “Our hope with this award is to inspire a new generation of leadership in the arts, where diverse and upcoming talents have a platform to have their voices heard and their stories told.
The values of the RFK Foundation and the Archewell Foundation align with our shared belief in Courage over Fear, and Love over Hate. And together we know that a wave of hope can turn into a wave of change.”
RFKHR President Kerry Kennedy said the organization chose to honor the couple because it is “proud of their work on racial justice and parity in mental health and awareness” and “showing up when people really need them.”
She added, “If you look over the last couple of years, hospitals, universities, governments, even Hollywood have all addressed issues of racial justice, gender, sexual minorities, et cetera…and I think it’s really cool that they’ve got us to start talking and normalizing that discussion.”
Later during the ceremony, Prince Harry joked with the crowd during an onstage Q&A about how he thought the couple left their kids at home for a “date night.”
“To be honest with you, Kerry, I actually thought we were just going on a date. So I found it odd that we were sharing a room with 1,500 people,” the duke quipped in a short clip provided by the party’s organizers.
He added, “We don’t go out much because our kids are so young, so this is totally unexpected.” “But it feels good to share date night with all of you.”
As the audience laughed, Meghan said, “Thank you for bringing me on this very special night.”
Hosted by actor Alec Baldwin, the annual ceremony also honored Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky; Frank Baker, co-founder and managing partner of the private equity firm Siris; Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan; and Michael Polsky, Founder and CEO, Invenergy. NBA legend and civil rights activist Bill Russell He was also honored posthumously.
Subscribe to Royal CNN newsa weekly publication that brings you the inside track of the royal family, what they do in public and what happens behind the palace walls.
Future teen idol. Typical social media ninja. Alcohol buff. Explorer. Creator. Beer advocate.”