Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spoken out for the first time since reportedly returning to the UK, using the latest developments surrounding Meta to renew their campaign for greater protection for children online.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex issued a statement after Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion (£13.3 billion) to settle claims concerning the safety and privacy of children on its platforms.

The couple have repeatedly spoken about what they see as the dangers social media can pose to young people, making the settlement particularly significant to their ongoing advocacy work.

Prince Harry and Meghan have issued a statement (Image: Getty)

Sussexes welcome changes but say Meta must go further

In their statement, published by the couple, Harry and Meghan described the legal action against Meta as “historic” and said the settlement, which they put at up to $17.1 billion, represents a significant development in the fight for safer online spaces.

They said the agreement includes financial penalties relating to alleged violations of federal child privacy and state consumer protection laws.

But while the Sussexes acknowledged the scale of the settlement, they argued that Meta had chosen to settle rather than face another trial outcome that could have subjected the company to further accountability.

They also pointed to the enormous profits generated by Meta’s data-driven business model, arguing that the company has the financial ability to absorb the settlement.

The Sussexes are big proponents of stronger online protections for children (Image: Getty)

The couple welcomed several product changes announced for teenagers, including restrictions on platform use between midnight and 6 a.m.

Other measures highlighted by Harry and Meghan include suppressing notifications during school hours, removing beauty filters considered potentially harmful to mental health and offering an optional chronological feed instead of algorithm-driven recommendations.

Meta has also called on other major technology companies, including YouTube and TikTok, to introduce comparable changes.

The Sussexes said they hoped the announcement would encourage other technology leaders to follow suit.

‘Far from the end of the journey’

Harry and Meghan described the developments as evidence that social media companies are facing growing pressure from parents, survivors and advocates demanding greater protection for young people.

They called the settlement a positive step for those campaigning for safer online environments, while stressing that they do not regard it as the end of the fight.

“This result clearly signals that Meta and social media companies understand they are up against an immovable force of parents, survivors, and advocates who will not back down until we see change in how our young people interact with online spaces,” the couple said.

However, the Sussexes were also critical of Meta’s own announcement about the changes.

They argued that the company’s statement failed to acknowledge or apologise for the billions of dollars it will pay under the settlements involving the 29-state coalition, as well as the separate agreement involving 47 states, the District of Columbia and territories.

Harry and Meghan previously attacked Meta’s policies

The couple’s latest comments are part of a broader campaign in which they have previously criticised major social media companies.

Last year, Harry and Meghan condemned Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, after the company announced changes to its longstanding fact-checking programme.

At the time, the Sussexes argued that the changes were a threat to free expression rather than an expansion of it.

“It doesn’t matter whether your views are left, right or somewhere in between—the latest news from Meta about changes to their policies directly undermines free speech,” they said.

“This should deeply concern us all.”

They also argued that allowing abusive content and normalising hate speech could ultimately suppress speech and expression rather than encourage open debate.

Reportedly back in Britain

The latest statement came shortly after Harry and Meghan reportedly returned to the UK on Wednesday.

There was initially no confirmation from representatives for the Sussexes.

The BBC subsequently reported that the couple had arrived in Britain, while the Daily Telegraph reported that they landed at Birmingham Airport around lunchtime.

Their choice of Birmingham Airport immediately prompted speculation that the Sussexes and their family could be planning to spend time in the Cotswolds.

The reported UK return marks another appearance on British soil for the couple, who have maintained a high-profile connection with the country despite making their home in the United States.

For now, however, their latest public intervention is focused firmly on the issue that has become central to their advocacy work: how technology companies protect children in an increasingly digital world.