Prince Harry and Meghan have been named as the recipients of the NAACP Image Awards for heeding the call to social justice and joining the struggle for equity around the world.

The award given to the Sussexes recognises special achievement and distinguished public service and has been awarded to several notable public figures mostly in the US including; Muhammad Ali, Condoleezza Rice, Rihanna and Jay Z.

The couple, who stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, said in a joint statement it was a "true honour". They are expected to give a live acceptance speech in the early hours of Sunday, UK time, during the virtual awards ceremony.

"It's a true honour to be recognised by president Derrick Johnson and the NAACP, whose efforts to propel racial justice and civil rights are as vital today as they were nearly 115 years ago", the couple said in a statement after receiving the news.

"We're proud to support the NAACP's work and to also partner with the organisation on the newly created annual NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award, which will be bestowed to Dr Safiya Noble as part of the 53rd NAACP Image Awards", they added.

The NAACP, which stands for the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, was set up in 1909 in response to ongoing violence against black people and is the US's largest and most preeminent civil rights organisation, with more than two million activists.

Its Image Awards celebrate outstanding achievements and performances of black and minority ethnic people in the arts.

The Susexes have been vocal about racial issues in the past

Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, said: "We're thrilled to present this award to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who together have heeded the call to social justice and have joined the struggle for equity both in the US and around the world."

The Sussexes' Archewell Foundation is supporting a new NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award, which recognises leaders creating "transformational change at the intersection of social justice and technology".

They have also been vocal on racial issues, contributing to the national debate in the US.

Meghan told of her "absolute devastation" at racial divisions in a speech to her old secondary school in June 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.

In October 2020, Harry admitted his privileged upbringing as a member of the royal family meant he had no understanding of unconscious racial bias.

The 53rd NAACP Image Awards shall be aired live in the US on Sunday evening.