It has been announced that Tyler Perry will receive the Pale Honor at the 2024 event, with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry serving on the tribute host committee.
However, recent reports suggest that the Sussexes are dissatisfied with their role in the event's lineup, which has sparked another round of public scrutiny and debate over their behavior and positions. Last year, Meghan and Harry faced substantial criticism for accepting awards, a move many deemed inappropriate given their royal status.
Specifically, Prince Harry, as the patron of the Invictus Games, was criticized for accepting awards rather than presenting them. This led to a significant backlash on social media, where critics argued that members of the royal family should focus on giving awards rather than receiving them.
In response to this criticism, Harry and Meghan seem to have adjusted their approach for this year. They will present an award to Tyler Perry, a long-time supporter of the couple, despite the mixed reception of Perry’s most recent film. The Pale Center has announced that Perry will receive the Pale Honor on December 4th, with Harry and Meghan’s role in the event becoming a major point of contention. Sources indicate that Meghan, in particular, is unhappy with being scheduled sixth in the event's lineup, a position often perceived as less prestigious and typically placed just before a commercial break. Meghan, who was also positioned sixth in the lineup on the television show Suits, reportedly views this as a slight against her.
Their reaction has been seen as another example of the couple feeling undervalued and expressing dissatisfaction publicly. This behavior has drawn further criticism, with some arguing that Meghan's perceived lack of self-awareness could alienate Tyler Perry’s longtime friends and colleagues. The list of other notable figures honoring Perry at the Pale Honors in December includes Whoopi Goldberg, Gayle King, Taraji P. Henson, George Lucas, Kerry Washington, Debra Lee, Mellody Hobson, Matt Johnson, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and more. Meghan's perceived sense of entitlement has led to questions about why she believes she deserves a higher billing than these esteemed figures.
This incident mirrors Harry and Meghan’s previous experience at the ESPY Awards, where they left shortly after their segment, which was scheduled just before the second or third commercial break. Their recurring theme of feeling slighted and reacting publicly has become a hallmark of their public appearances, drawing both sympathy and criticism from the public. The consistent pattern of Harry and Meghan feeling undervalued and reacting to it has led many to question their sense of importance. Critics argue that their association with the British royal family is their primary claim to fame, and without it, their actions and reactions might not attract as much attention.
Their perceived sense of self-importance and continual need for validation have fueled much of the public skepticism about their intentions and actions. The couple’s frequent public grievances contribute to a perception of them as overly sensitive to criticism and perpetually seeking validation, resulting in a cycle of public scrutiny. The situation with the Pale Honor is just the latest example of this dynamic, highlighting their ongoing struggle to balance their desire for recognition with the public’s expectation of humility and service.
