Twitter Reacts To Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's NAACP Award: 'Boots Were Licked'

Social media users have mixed opinions about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle being the recipients of a special award during the 53rd annual Image Awards this weekend.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will accept the NAACP President’s Award during the 2022 NAACP Image Awards Saturday in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. Past recipients of the prize include Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, LeBron James and Rihanna.

Prince Harry and Markle also announced Thursday that they have teamed up with the NAACP on a new annual award called the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award, which will recognize leaders creating transformational change—at the intersection of social justice and technology—to advance civil and human rights.

The announcement was met with criticism and skepticism on Twitter.

"Boots were licked," journalist Sinead Ryan commented on a tweet from royal correspondent Omid Scobie about Prince Harry and Markle's new award. Ryan's remark could also be a dig at the "Finding Freedom" co-author, who commented the same about an article praising Kate Middleton's recent work in Denmark.

"Boots [were] definitely licked. How much did they 'donate' to NAACP to get this award?" another Twitter user suggested. "The NACCP and Sussexes have the same PR team," a third person claimed.

"What have they actually done? Please help us understand exactly what they have honestly done to deserve this award. They talk all about charity work and they claim to raise funds for their charities, but we have yet to see the proof," a fourth user wrote.

"In all seriousness, have the Sussexes MADE significant monetary contributions to charities? Have they raised [money] for advocacy or was it all just a part of deals made? Not trying to be shady and every [dollar] helps, but curious about real facts," another netizen commented.

Many other royal fans and Twitter users congratulated Prince Harry and Markle for the recognition, with some pointing out that the couple proved their point that "service is universal." The quote comes from the statement the Sussexes released last year after they were stripped of their royal patronages and military appointments by Queen Elizabeth after they "confirmed" they won't be returning to their roles as working members of the royal family.

"#PrinceHarry #Meghan service is universal," one person commented. Another fan wrote, "So public service is possible outside the royal family, yes? So happy for Harry and Meghan."

"Fantastic news [clapping hands emoji]. Congratulations, Meghan and Harry," a different user wrote.

"Yes yes yes. Excellent stuff," a fourth user commented.

"Well done to our duke and duchess of impact. So happy their home country values them and the wonderful work they’re doing. Service is universal," another wrote.

Since quitting royal duties, Prince Harry and Markle, through their Archewell Foundation, have supported efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and focused their attention on the Black Lives Matter movement and fighting for racial justice, People reported.

In a statement Thursday, NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson praised the duke and duchess, saying they "have heeded the call to social justice and have joined the struggle for equity both in the U.S. and around the world."

The 53rd NAACP Image Awards airs live Saturday at 8 p.m. EST on BET. The ceremony will feature a performance by Mary J. Blige and appearances by Issa Rae, Kerry Washington, LL Cool J, Samuel L. Jackson, Tiffany Haddish, Zendaya and more.