RI composite of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smiling

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be celebrated for their advocacy in the mental health space

rince Harry and Meghan Markle will reportedly heading to New York City this October, where they’ll receive the Humanitarians of the Year Award by nonprofit organisation Project Healthy Minds in recognition of their global mental health advocacy.

According to PEOPLE, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will accept the award at the World Mental Health Day Gala on October 9.

The award recognises the couple’s ongoing efforts to create a safer online environment for young people and families, as well as their broader work in advancing mental wellbeing worldwide.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding hands and smilingPrince Harry and Meghan Markle will receive an award next month (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set to receive award in New York

In a joint statement, Harry and Meghan called their work in online safety “some of the most meaningful” they’ve ever done.

“As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of [families’] stories and are honoured to support them,” they told PEOPLE. “We’re proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds. As we work together to shine a light on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time.”

Their charity, the Archewell Foundation, launched in 2020 with a mission to “show up and do good”.

One of its flagship mental health initiatives, The Parents’ Network, was introduced at the 2023 Project Healthy Minds festival. It focuses on supporting families affected by online harm.

We’re proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds.

Their work is fuelled by a personal mission: building the kind of online world they’d want their own children to grow up in.

Following the gala, Harry and Meghan will also take part in Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival on October 10. Archewell will co-produce a series of conversations with mental health changemakers.

Their Lost Screen Memoria, originally unveiled in April in New York, will also feature at the festival. The emotional installation honours young people who have lost their lives due to social media-related harm.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at charity concertThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be celebrated for their advocacy in the mental health space (Credit: Cover Images)

Harry and Meghan at charity concert

The award news follows a rare joint appearance by the couple at Kevin Costner’s One805LIVE! charity event. It took place in Santa Barbara last weekend.

The couple attended the star-studded charity event. The event raises funds for first responders’ mental health support and emergency equipment.

Meghan drew attention in a navy sleeveless shirt dress. She also accessorised with a pear-shaped diamond ring. The ring is believed by fans to be a birthday gift from Harry for her 44th birthday in August.

At the event, Harry also presented the Heart of the Community Award to Santa Barbara County’s Fire Department Peer-to-Peer mental health programme.

Since stepping back from their senior royal roles, Harry and Meghan have made mental health one of their central causes.

Harry has spoken candidly about his own experiences with grief, therapy, and PTSD. Meghan has also opened up about her struggles with suicidal thoughts while living in the UK.