In the midst of the discussion about the deplorable human rights situation in Qatar, the British are seeing their own royal family being measured in the same categories.

The American "Robert F. Kennedy Foundation for Human Rights" wants to award this year's prize to two heroes who are said to have "heroically" opposed human rights violations in the Royal Family: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who proudly bear the royal title " Duke and Duchess of Sussex wear.

The Brits threw their hands up in horror, most amused, some spluttering, some outraged.

Jochen Buchsteiner

Political correspondent in London.

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The American foundation advertises that the Ripple of Hope Award recognizes international leaders who show "unwavering commitment to social change and to the protection and advancement of equality, justice and human rights."

One of the foundation's goals is to challenge the powerful (“Speak Truth to Power”).

The latter can at least be said of Volodymyr Zelenskyj, who, as President of Ukraine, is currently fighting the powerful Russian army and is also receiving the award this year.

But for what achievement, many ask, will the Sussexes be awarded?

A "heroic step"

Kerry Kennedy, the president of the foundation, justified the decision with the couple's actions towards their own family.

"They went to the oldest institution in British history and told them what they are doing is wrong, they don't have structural racism in the institution and they can't maintain their misconception about sanity." Kennedy, in 1959 born daughter of the presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, and niece of the American President John F. Kennedy, presented the celebrity couple as fearless fighters in a – now much-quoted – interview: “They knew that there would be consequences, that their family lose their position within the structure." They "did it anyway because they couldn't live with

not to question that authority”.

This was a "heroic step".

The astonishment is great.

For the Sussexes to have a track record of community involvement is "a fantasy spiced with conceit," said Royals biographer Angela Levin.

The Sussexes, meanwhile, would "do anything to get into the limelight".

Others, like The Times columnist Libby Purves, point out that Harry and Meghan's campaign against racism was limited to "unproven, borderline and cowardly allegations" made during a celebrity question session on American television.

The fact that the couple should then have been "excluded" at home for their courageous commitment - according to Foundation President Kennedy - is difficult to understand: after all, the Sussexes have a royal cottage in Windsor at their disposal and they are celebrating the platinum anniversary and tied in for the Queen's funeral.

In addition, the new king recently spoke warmly about his California family branch, which he voluntarily left.

Even within the Kennedy clan, people rub their eyes.

Robert Kennedy Jr., the foundation president's brother, was "disturbed" by the recognition and also "at a loss", while Kennedy biographer David Nasaw spoke of an "absurd" decision.

He fluctuates "between sublime ridiculousness and pure grotesqueness".

The prize is to be presented at a gala in New York on St. Nicholas Eve.