The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shrugged off the fury surrounding a new royal biography to issue a poignant statement about a trial on children’s online safety
Harry and Meghan have long been passionate about online safety for children(Image: PA)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shrugged off the fury and outrage over a new royal biography to make a statement on a landmark trial in the US surrounding children’s online safety. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have long campaigned for more protections to be implemented for young people on social media, and have praised the efforts made to hold tech companies accountable for unsafe technologies when it comes to children.
They said in a poignant statement that the trial in America is a “turning point” for the improvement of online safety, adding: “The world is finally paying attention.”
READ MORE: Prince William ‘is calling more of the shots’ amid huge change in royal familyREAD MORE: Kate Middleton’s awkward St Patrick’s Day slip up that forced William to step in
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spoken about a trial about children’s safety in online spaces(Image: PA)
Harry and Meghan said: “Today, the largest technology companies find themselves under unprecedented scrutiny. Their products, their design choices, and their impact on young people are being examined not just in public debate, but now in a court of law.
“And regardless of any single verdict, one truth is already clear: these companies are on trial in the court of history. This is the first case of its kind, but it will not be the last.”
In their statement, Harry and Meghan included some of the biggest “revelations” to come out of the trial, including Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony under oath, how internal documents showed deliberate strategies to hook young users and that engagement was repeatedly prioritised over safety.
They added: “This trial is already a turning point: it has forced some of the most powerful companies on earth to reveal what’s behind the curtain and to answer, in public and on the record, for choices that shaped an entire generation’s daily life.”
Their statement comes after a damning serialisation called out the Sussexes(Image: PA)
Tech giants such as Meta, Google and YouTube are facing the first jury trial in Los Angeles, which examines how their platforms are designed to keep children addicted using tailored algorithms.
Harry and Meghan called for stronger protections for children online last year after unveiling a memorial in New York City to young people who lost their lives due to the harmful effects of social media. In addition, the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation previously unveiled its Parents’ Network initiative as a support system for parents of children affected by online harm.
The statement comes just days after the Sussexes were savaged in a serialisation of a new royal book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family by Tom Bower. Serialised by The Times, the biography detailed numerous claims about the Duke and Duchess’s relationship with the Royal Family, as well as how they have navigated life since leaving the Firm and moving to California.
Harry and Meghan spoke about children’s online safety during a trip to New York last year(Image: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock)
The book highlighted claims that Queen Camilla told a friend that Harry had been ‘brainwashed’ by Meghan, as well as concerns from Invictus Games organisers that the sporting event had been overshadowed by the Sussex’s celebrity status.
In response to the serialisation, Harry and Meghan issued a furious statement, as a representative for Harry and Meghan said: “Mr Bower’s commentary has long crossed the line from criticism into fixation. This is someone who has publicly stated, ‘the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life,’ language that speaks for itself.
“He has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met. Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him.”
Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal
WHATSAPP GROUP: Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our Royal WhatsApp here.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up to the Mirror’s Royal newsletter here to get all the biggest royal news and exclusive pictures, straight to your inbox.