Meghan and Harry to accept award for taking ‘heroic’ stance against ‘racism’ in royal family at $1m-a-table lovey gala
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle will accept a gong for taking a stance against "structural racism" in the Royal Family at a glitzy award bash.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been praised as "heroic" for challenging the family's "power structure".
They will receive the Ripple of Hope award at a lavish New York ceremony where tables are being sold for up to $1million.
The award honours “exemplary leaders” who have demonstrated “an unwavering commitment” to social change.
Meghan and Harry will be honoured by John F Kennedy’s niece, Kerry Kennedy, at the annual bash, which is organised by the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights foundation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also be handed a gong at the December 6 ceremony.
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Kerry told : "They went to the oldest institution in UK history and told them what they were doing wrong, that they couldn’t have structural racism within the institution; that they could not maintain a misunderstanding about mental health.
"They knew that if they did this there would be consequences, that they would be ostracised, they would lose their family, their position within this structure, and that people would blame them for it.
“They have done it anyway because they believed they couldn’t live with themselves if they didn’t question this authority. I think they have been heroic in taking this step.”
The lawyer and human rights activist told how during a visit to South Africa in 1966, her dad Robert spoke about the problems in getting people to talk about racial justice.
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She added: "They went to the oldest institution in UK history and told them what they were doing wrong, that they couldn’t have structural racism within the institution; that they could not maintain a misunderstanding about mental health.
“They knew that if they did this there would be consequences, that they would be ostracised, they would lose their family, their position within this structure, and that people would blame them for it.
“They have done it anyway because they believed they couldn’t live with themselves if they didn’t question this authority. I think they have been heroic in taking this step.”
But her comments have raised eyebrows for some - with brother Robert F. Kennedy Jr branding the decision "bewildering".
Harry and Meghan will join previous winners Joe Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
U2 star Bono, Hillary Clinton and Desmond Tutu, who helped to end apartheid in South Africa, have also received the award.
The couple are expected to attend the extravagant gala, where the cheapest ticket will set guests back $2,500.
It comes after Meghan accused an unnamed royal of raising “concerns” about the “skin colour” of her and Harry’s children in her Oprah Winfrey interview.
She declined to reveal the identity of the racist royal as it would be too "damaging" for them.
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Oprah later said it was not the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh.
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Her Majesty was forced to release a statement saying the claims would be taken "very seriously".
