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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a new message about a cause close to their heart.
06:59, Thu, Feb 12, 2026 Updated: 07:00, Thu, Feb 12, 2026
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released a new statement (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued a powerful new statement on facing “accountability” when dealing with children’s safety online, just as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s scandal rumbles on in Britain. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a new message through their newly-renamed charity, Archewell Philanthropies, saying that they recognise the “pivotal moment” that is taking place this week about “families seeking truth, justice and safeguards for children and communities around the world”.
Harry and Meghan, who have long campaigned about child safety online, praised the efforts done so social media companies can “face accountability across the world” after companies had their platforms use “manipulative algorithms built with profits, not child safety, as the priority”. The statement read: “Families devastated by online harm have waited too long for this moment.
“Our growing community of The Parents’ Network have lived through the horrific consequences of cyberbullying, algorithm-driven manipulation, and worse. They, as well as whistleblowers, have told us for years that platforms prioritise engagement over safety.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have long campaigned for child safety online (Image: Getty)
Harry and Meghan spoke about how tech giants like Meta and Google are set to face the first jury trial in Los Angeles, which will examine how their platforms are designed to addict children, while they also spoke about Spain, Australia and Frances’s plans to deal with online safety.
They said: “We’re watching both tracks with cautious optimism. Action from world leaders signals that protecting childhood is a societal responsibility, not just a parental one. Something that has always been a prerequisite for all companies, but not yet these ones.”
The Sussex couple also urged governments to put safeguards in place, adding that it has to be “not just the part of the companies but on the part of their own duty to human rights and safety,” saying that no single country’s law “solves a global problem”.
They added that the “real test” is now whether platform and tech companies can design with “children’s wellbeing as a first principle – or whether we’ll keep needing governments and courts to force their hand”.
Harry and Meghan concluded: “We invite you to support these brave families and parents who have paid the ultimate cost in losing a child, yet who still stand strong and ready to fight for the rights of other families, championing their efforts as they advocate for the protection of all children online.”
It comes as Thames Valley Police on Wednesday announced that they have held discussions with specialists from the Crown Prosecution Service about allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential reports from his role as the UK's trade envoy with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The force said: “While we cannot provide timescales over when a decision as to whether a criminal investigation will be opened, we can assure you that Thames Valley Police is making progress as quickly as possible.”
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said they were leading the assessment of allegations of misconduct in public office, specifically relating to documents in the United States Department of Justice's Epstein files.
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He said: “As part of this assessment, we have engaged in discussions with specialist crown prosecutors from the CPS. We will provide updates as and when they are available, but at this stage it would be inappropriate to discuss further specifics of this work.
“During an assessment phase, information is evaluated to determine whether a criminal offence is suspected and whether a full investigation is required. Allegations of misconduct in public office involve particular complexities, and therefore an assessment must be conducted carefully and thoroughly.”
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