Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to be honored at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala, but their selection has sparked backlash from a royal expert who questioned whether the couple truly deserves the recognition.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, speaking to Fox News Digital, argued that while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have contributed to raising awareness about mental health, their personal conduct and strained family relationships make them “the wrong winners for this sort of award.”
He explained, “Despite the work they have undoubtedly done to highlight mental health issues … surely, they are the wrong winners for this sort of award.” Fitzwilliams pointed to the couple’s public criticism of the royal family as a reason for skepticism.
“Both Meghan and Harry are estranged from their families and have launched deeply destructive attacks on the royal family for their personal and financial gain,” he said. “Surely, winners of such an award should be positive in approach.”
The upcoming gala will recognize Harry and Meghan for their advocacy work on mental health, particularly through their Archewell Foundation. The organization has promoted mental health awareness, workplace well-being, and open discussions around emotional health.
Still, Fitzwilliams questioned the tone and framing of the couple’s achievements. “It states that Meghan is a ‘cultural catalyst for positive change’ and lists Harry’s memoir, Spare, among his achievements,” he noted.
The memoir, released in early 2023, drew global attention for its revelations about the royal family, including Harry’s strained relationship with his brother, Prince William, and father, King Charles III. While praised by some for its honesty, others saw it as an unnecessary airing of private family matters.
Fitzwilliams acknowledged the positive aspects of the couple’s charitable work, saying, “What their foundation has done in the field of mental health is, of course, to be welcomed.” However, he maintained that “their treatment of their respective families makes them unsuitable recipients of a humanitarian award.”
Harry and Meghan’s upcoming recognition comes amid ongoing debates about their role in public life since stepping down as senior royals in 2020. The pair has since relocated to California, where they’ve pursued media, philanthropic, and advocacy projects under their Archewell brand.
While the gala aims to honor their influence in promoting mental health awareness, critics like Fitzwilliams argue that true humanitarian leadership requires both advocacy and reconciliation—qualities some believe the couple has yet to fully demonstrate.