LOS ANGELES: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among honorees at the 53rd annual NAACP Image Awards.

Prince Harry and Meghan appeared at the ceremony Saturday night in Pasadena, California to accept the President's Award, given for distinguished public service.

"Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the people of Ukraine, who urgently need our continued support as a global community," Harry said.

He and Meghan have an association with the NAACP, the civil-rights organization the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The couple's Archewell Foundation and the NAACP's new Digital Civil Rights Award recognizes those working for "change at the intersection of social justice and technology"

In his acceptance speech, Harry noted, "I think it's safe to say I come from a very different background to my incredible wife, yet our lives were brought together for a reason.

"We share a commitment to a life of service, a responsibility to confront injustice and a belief that the most overlooked are often the most important to listen to."

Friday, the inaugural award was given to Dr. Safiya Noble, who Meghan called a "visionary."