Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Make Rare Appearance at NAACP Image Awards

When we heard that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would be receiving the President's Award at this year's NAACP Image Awards (and handing out a new prize of their own), we had hoped the pair would make an appearance at the ceremony. Luckily, our wish was granted.

The last time these two attended a public event together was back in November, when the couple was spotted at the Salute To Freedom Gala in New York City (where Markle donned a gorgeous red Carolina Herrera gown) before they visited a New Jersey military base the following day.

Now, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to the public eye, as they accepted their prestigious prize at the ceremony late last night. During their speech (which can be viewed here), the duke started out by acknowledging the invasions occurring in Ukraine. “Before I begin, we would like to acknowledge the people of Ukraine, who urgently need our continued support as a global community,” he said. This follows a message that the couple shared on their Archewell site earlier this week, where they showed their support for the people of Ukraine.

The duke followed this opener by saying, “I think it's safe to say that I come from a very different background than my incredible wife. Yet, our lives were brought together for a reason. We share a commitment to a life of service, a responsibility to confront injustice and a belief that the most often overlooked are the most important to listen to.”

To which Markle added, “And I couldn't be prouder that we're doing this work together. We moved to California, my home state, shortly before the murder of George Floyd. For Black America, those nine minutes and 29 seconds transcended time, invoking centuries of our unhealed wounds. In the months that followed, as my husband and I spoke with the civil rights community, we committed ourselves and our organization, Archewell, to illuminating those who are advancing racial justice and progress.”

The duchess also revealed that she and Prince Harry brought along a special guest to the ceremony. “Thank you so much for joining us in this work,” she said. “And thank you again for this incredible honor, truly. My mom's here with us tonight and we all feel very proud. Thank you.”

Of course, the couple never misses a chance to show off their style, and both Prince Harry and Markle were repping Black designers, with Markle donning a gorgeous one-shouldered blue gown from Christopher John Rogers, while Prince Harry was sporting a tux by Ozwald Boateng.

Congrats, Harry and Meghan!

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