Harry and Meghan accept award for standing against royal family.

At the "Ripple of Hope" gala in New York, where they were recognized for addressing racial injustice and mental health, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle accepted a human rights award.

The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation gave the pair a honor in recognition of their "unwavering commitment to social change" in the business, advocacy, and entertainment sectors.

The pair had been "extremely brave" to talk about their experience of racial inequality in the royal family and mental illness, according to Kerry Kennedy, president of the organization and daughter of US senator Robert F. Kennedy.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stated in a statement after winning the award that "a ripple of hope may grow into a wave of change."

The award came days before a much-anticipated Netflix documentary series about the couple amid widespread speculation over what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will say about the royal family.

Before moving to California two years ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle retired from their official obligations. The British royal family has been criticized and accused of racism by them, both of which the family has denied.