"They bought that award" - Internet divided by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle receiving the Humanitarians of the Year Award

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were honored with the Humanitarians of the Year Award this week, triggering controversy online.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the third annual World Mental Health Day Gala, hosted by Project Healthy Minds in New York City on Thursday, October 9. News and photos of the same have made their way to X, where scores online are reacting with a mix of criticism, amusement, and appreciation. Here's how one user reacted, for instance:

"They bought that award."

The comments didn't end there:

"anyone else wondering what exactly they did to earn that award???? haven't seen them in action much other than sprinkling flowers on food," one naysayer questioned.

"Such amazing human beings, despite of all the jealous hate they get," another remarked.

"I love them, good people championing great causes & I love their love," someone else chimed in.

"As they should. Very well deserved," a fourth user remarked.

See how the rest of X is reacting:

"For what?!? They have done nothing worthy of an award," one user opined.

"Bought and paid for award from a tone deaf organization. These two are not humanitarians," another claimed.

"Humanitarians???? Them??? Seriously?" yet another echoed.

"They look absolutely stunning, together and individually. They have done so well for their organisation, exactly what they have always stood for, service!" someone gushed.

Users were visibly divided, and while some were of the opinion that the award was well-deserved, others thought that Prince Harry and his wife were simply putting on a "farce."

Read Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's acceptance speech below:

In his acceptance speech, Prince Harry said:

“Tonight, we are all here together to focus on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time. Let me share a number with you: 4,000. That’s how many families the Social Media Victims Law Centre is currently representing – families whose children have been harmed or lost forever to social media. Four thousand cases at just one firm. And that number represents only those parents who have been able to link their child’s circumstance to social media use.”

Prince Harry continued:

“Parents who have learned legal action is possible, who have the capacity to pursue it while grieving, and parents who’ve found their way to help in the fight back against some of the wealthiest, most powerful corporations in the world. And even after this there may be no road to closure for grieving parents because these companies refuse to disclose their child’s information and activity on their platforms. If these were unintended consequences 10 years ago, what are they now? This is a pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in the digital age.”

Meghan chimed in to point out that she and Prince Harry often have discussions about how to protect their own kids, Archie, six, and Lili, four.

“Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits while safeguarding against its dangers,” the duchess said. “That hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible.”

The pair's Archewell Foundation, which they founded in 2020, recently announced that its Parents’ Network initiative will be teaming up with ParentsTogether, a non-profit organisation, in a bid to champion family advocacy and online safety, according to The Independent.

Prince Harry, who also warned of “the explosion of unregulated artificial intelligence," added:

“As our network grew, we’ve seen the full scope of what we’re facing. We have witnessed the explosion of unregulated artificial intelligence, heard more and more stories from heartbroken families, and watched parents all over the world become increasingly concerned about their children’s digital lives."

He continued,

“When we learned that thousands of families from every corner of society were facing the same challenges, many learning for the first time that it was actually social media that took their child, we knew this movement needed to grow. These families are not only up against corporations and lobbyists, many of whom spend tens of millions of dollars every year in suppressing the truth, but also algorithms designed to maximise data collection at any cost. And their kids? They weren’t struggling with mental health issues, they weren’t distinctly vulnerable, they were preyed upon.”

Meghan Markle opted for a chic black Armani suit with a plunging neckline. She accessorized with a gold chain and stud earrings, while her tresses were tied back in a ponytail. Prince Harry opted for a matching suit, white shirt, and tie.

Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more.

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