Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appeared in a poignant video that was played to a United Nations conference on ending violence against children – and Harry admitted they were at a crossroads with their work on the subject
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say they are at a ‘crossroads’ with their work in their first joint public appearance together in months.
The couple appeared in a video message where they talked about prioritising children’s safety online, which was played at a United Nations conference in Colombia on ending violence against children. It is the first time the pair have been seen together publicly in several months since their highly-publicised tour of Colombia back in August.
Since then the pair have made a string of telling solo appearances, despite Meghan once describing her and Harry as like “salt and pepper” as they always “move together”. However, according to a source close to the couple, the reason for the solo appearance is down to a shift in their ventures.
And referring to their work keeping children safe online, Harry explains: “We are at a crossroads”, adding: “The urgency to reassess and redefine our approach to protecting children has become increasingly evident. While the necessity has always been apparent, it’s now time to translate that awareness into meaningful action.”
Meghan gazes at her husband while he talks before she explains: “My husband and I recognise that today’s reality is marked by greater connectivity and advanced technology, which, of course, has many positives. However, it also compels us to better understand how digital violence against children is manifesting itself in this age.”
“At the Archewell Foundation, we engage with young people, families and experts worldwide, learning about how every aspect of a child’s life — from their livelihood to their physical and mental well-being — now operates within an online economy that has both the power to shape and misshape our connections.”
In the clip, Meghan can be seen with her long hair draped over her shoulders and wearing a navy jacket, while Harry also looks smart in a shirt and jacket.
Both wear poppies pinned to their jackets as Remembrance Sunday in the UK approaches this weekend. The video’s release also comes just days after Donald Trump was elected as the new US president – with Harry and Meghan likely to be eagerly awaiting his first moves when he takes office.
During his election campaign, Trump has been outspoken in his opinion of the Sussexes with scathing words about them. And it appears the outcome of the vote could prove to be life-changing for Harry and Meghan as the president-elect once suggested he would deport the Duke of Sussex from the country.
In recent months, Harry has found himself in the centre of a row over his visa, which allows him to live in California. After admitting to using marijuana, cocaine and psychedelic mushrooms in his controversial memoir Spare, a lawsuit from the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation argued that the US Government should release records about the Duke’s visa US application to show whether his drug use was disclosed.
Before a ruling was made in the case, Trump raged at the Biden administration for maintaining the privacy of Harry’s immigration application in order to “protect Harry”. In an interview with GB News when asked if there would be any “special privileges” for the prince, Trump said: “No. We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they’ll have to take appropriate action.”
In September, a judge made a ruling in the visa case saying that Harry’s visa documents should remain private. However, the Heritage Foundation has made another court filing to have the case reopened saying it was not granted access to private submissions made to the judge by the Biden administration.