On October 9, 2025, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Duke and Duchess of Sussex were awarded the title of Humanitarians of the Year. They were honored with this award at the Project Healthy Minds 3rd Annual Gala. This year’s gala took place at Spring Studios in New York City. It illustrated the couple’s deep commitment to mental health efforts and social justice advocacy.
While arriving hand-in-hand to the event, the couple found there were delays due to what was cited as the world’s worst traffic in New York City. Despite their late arrival, they were warmly received and showered with encouragement by attendees excited to celebrate their contributions to global humanitarian efforts. Meghan Markle kicked off her royal life with a head-turning go-to-black-Armani-suit-look that struck the perfect balance between polished and powerful.
Carson Daly, known for his roles on NBC’s The Voice and The TODAY Show, hosted a memorable gala. The event was highlighted by spectacular performances from Lukas Graham and Alexander Stewart. Such was the importance of the occasion that the three-hour event brought together all the major players in the mental health field.
Meghan and Harry accepted their award from Laura Marquez-Garrett, an extraordinary leader in legal advocacy. A 2002 graduate of Harvard Law School, Marquez-Garrett has dedicated over two decades to supporting families and children affected by social media challenges. She was most recently with the Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC). Her stated aim is to hold social media companies accountable for the harms they cause society.
That night Savannah Guthrie and her husband Mike Feldman were honored – and announced as chairs for the 2025 gala. This acknowledgment demonstrates the commitment of prominent leaders to advocating for mental health. Alongside them was Phil Schermer, founder and CEO of Project Healthy Minds, who accompanied the Duke and Duchess throughout the evening.
