Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been blasted for the “ultimate irony” of collecting a major humanitarian award as President Donald Trump secured the beginnings of his Gaza peace deal.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were honoured at Project Healthy Minds' World Mental Health Day Gala on Thursday evening, where the couple were crowned "Humanitarians of the Year".
Speaking on stage as she accepted the award, Meghan said: "Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily, still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming.”
“Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology's benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers,” she continued.
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Prince Harry added: "This is a pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in a digital age."
The Sussexes lofty warnings did little to impress royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, who described their gong as the “ultimate irony”.
“It is perhaps the ultimate irony when Donald Trump has masterminded a process that is about to begin to bring peace to Gaza and secure the release of the hostages, that Harry and Meghan are named Humanitarians of the Year at a World Mental Health Day Gala,” he said.
The US President hailed “peace in the Middle East” on Wednesday after both Israel and Hamas agreed to the beginnings of his ambition plan to end the war in the region.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's acceptance of the 'Humanitarians of the Year' award has been blasted as the 'ultimate irony'
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However, Mr Fitzwilliams argued the irony ran deeper as he identified Prince William and Princess Kate as more deserving of the humanitarian award.
“If you were looking at genuine humanitarian work, it is surely the Prince and Princess of Wales with their work for Heads Together, the initiative from the Royal Foundation, who ought to be considered,” he said.
The veteran commentator highlighted William’s launching of The Royal Foundation's National Suicide Prevention Network with an emotional new film.
“William is especially concerned with the stigma which still surrounds (mental health). He broke down discussing suicide with a grieving widow in a new video, which has moved the nation,” Mr Fitzwilliams observed.
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Richard Fitzwilliams felt the gong was tone deaf amid the preliminary success of President Trump's Gaza peace deal
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Kate has also been promoting her awareness on the impact of technology on children, highlighted in her essay titled “The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World” published through The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
The Princess of Wales's contribution was particularly noteworthy for Mr Fitzwilliams as it bore a striking similarity to the issues raised by the Sussexes as they received their award.
“Catherine’s ‘life’s work’ is the study of the early years and her input on how technology can be destructive is also very valuable. Surely this work, is deserving of a joint award,” he shared.
However, Mr Fitzwilliams stressed that Harry and Meghan had made valuable contributions.
Fitzwilliams felt the Sussexes were less deserving of the award than the Waleses
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“The Sussexes work to help those suffering from mental health problems is, of course, to be welcomed,” he said.
“However, despite their radiating positivity in their public pronouncements, Harry has savaged his family publicly which has caused a deep rift and Meghan has no contact with hers."
“This is not behaviour which deserves to be rewarded, especially as the only reason their pronouncements get wide coverage is their royal links,” the veteran commentator declared.