Prince Harry and Meghan Markle earn new nickname as they win award

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won an award last week (Image: Rob Kim/Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been dubbed the “voice” of grieving parents after winning an award for their help in raising awareness of mental health and the impact of social media. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who quit royal life five years ago, have helped grieving parents through their work with The Parents' Network - a group established by the couple’s Archewell Foundation.

The Parents’ Network aims to support families whose children have been impacted by online harm. It is their work through this that resulted in Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41, getting the "Humanitarians of the Year" award at the Project Healthy Minds' World Mental Health Day Gala in New York City last week.

While many have criticised Harry and Meghan receiving the award, two grieving parents whose daughter took her own life have spoken out about why the royal couple are so deserving.

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Toney and Brandy Roberts’ daughter, whose Englyn Maydisyn Roberts died in 2020, are community managers for The Parents' Network and have been in contact with Harry and Meghan for around three years.

Toney told Hello! magazine: “Their support has helped me become more open to talking about how I feel to other men and women, other families that again, I normally would never have met, shouldn't have met, but I don't mind sharing my love and my care with them and receive the same in return."

He continued: “They (Harry and Meghan) use their status for good, and that's what people around the world need to realise. They truly have brought families together that should have never met because of the situation that we're all in. But they're awesome. Totally awesome."

Harry and Meghan are passionate about raising awareness of mental health (Image: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds)

Brandy Roberts added: "We just love them (Harry and Meghan) and every time we're in their presence, they come and give us this nice hug, and just lets us know that we're heard. They're our voice."

When collecting their award in New York City, both Meghan and Harry delivered speeches about their work.

The Duchess said: “Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits while safeguarding against its dangers. And that hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible.

“We know that when parents come together, when communities unite, waves are made. We’ve seen it happen. We’re watching it grow. And with your support, we’ll continue building a safer digital world for all our children.”