Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Awarded For Limiting Family To 2 Kids; Twitter Reacts

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been awarded for their decision to have a small family by U.K. charity Population Matters.

The charity, which is committed to limiting family size to help save the environment, will give the Duke and Duchess of Sussex the equivalent of $695 to donate to a charity of their choice for their "enlightened decision" to have only two children, Sky News reported.

In a statement obtained by the outlet, the charity said Prince Harry and Markle "are helping to ensure a better future for their children and providing a role model for other families."

"Having a smaller family reduces our impact on the Earth, and provides a better chance for all our children, their children and future generations to flourish on a healthy planet," a spokesperson for Population Matters wrote. "We commend the duke and duchess for taking this enlightened decision, and for affirming that a smaller family is also a happy family."

The duke and duchess were granted the award to mark the UN's World Population Day this Sunday.

When Prince Harry interviewed Dr. Jane Goodall for British Vogue in 2019, he shared that he and Markle were planning to have "two maximum" when it comes to children to reduce their impact on the environment.

"Two, maximum! But I’ve always thought: this place is borrowed. And, surely, being as intelligent as we all are, or as evolved as we all are supposed to be, we should be able to leave something better behind for the next generation," he said.

The couple welcomed son Archie in May that year, followed by daughter Lilibet Diana on June 4.

Meanwhile, Twitter users had mixed reactions to the Sussexes’ award. While some thought it was unnecessary, others praised the couple for doing what they can to lessen their impact on the environment.

"How ridiculous to give anyone an award 4 only having 2 children! Especially when these 2 live in a 16 bathroom mega mansion, use gallons of water for gardens, drive super gas guzzlers & use private jets regularly! Their Carbon footprint is huge!" one person tweeted.

Another wrote, "Don't know what problem haters have for a charity giving award to HARRY AND MEGHAN, at least harry isn't a hypocrite like bulliam who came to Africa and lectured about population control."

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. Photo: Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images