Fresh from receiving a controversial honour at the ESPY Awards, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have another reason to celebrate: their friend Tyler Perry, who is also their daughter Lilibet's godfather, will be recognised at the star-studded Paley Honors gala later this year. Perry, an actor, filmmaker and playwright, will be honoured with the organisation's most esteemed award for his contributions to the media industry. ‘Throughout my career, I have strived to bring people together and to give a voice to those often underrepresented in media,’ he told when of his award broke.
‘Media has served as a vital platform for this mission, and I'm honoured to receive this award from The Paley Center for Media, an organisation that has dedicated itself to spotlighting the power and importance of media.’ The Paley Center – a non-profit cultural institution which aims to preserve media history and explore its influence on society – counts the Duke and Duchess of as chairs, alongside other A-listers like Whoopi Goldbery, Taraji P. Henson, George Lucas and Kerry Washington.
However, the bond between Perry and the Sussexes is far deeper than shared philanthropic interests – and goes back to before the couple were even married. In 2018, the-then Meghan Markle received a message from Perry, just before her wedding to Prince Harry, as media interest in the couple was reaching its fervoured peak. Though Meghan and Perry had never met in person, he offered her advice and guidance.