Prince Harry told European lawmakers in Brussels that children “deserve to feel safe wherever they are,” speaking out on online protection as Meghan Markle stepped back from the spotlight following the arrest of her father on allegations involving child abuse images.
The Duke of Sussex delivered a solo keynote address at the European Parliament after Meghan withdrew from appearing alongside him, explaining she was not “strong enough emotionally” to take part.
Her presence at the Brussels engagement marked her first public appearance since allegations involving Thomas Markle Sr emerged last month, and since he appeared in a US court on Friday charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.
Addressing parliamentarians, Prince Harry said he and his wife were standing with parents who have lost children to harm encountered online.
Meghan Markle pulled out of speaking alongside her husband at the event
“I’m not here as an expert or a politician. I’m here as a father. My wife, as a mother,” he said.
While he did not mention Mr Markle Sr directly, the prince focused his remarks on the need to protect children online, arguing that prevention should be the priority and insisting young people must be able to feel secure whether they are in school, at play, or “at any time, no matter where they are”.
He questioned why safeguarding children becomes so difficult when technology is involved, telling the chamber: “Why, when we ask whether it can keep a child safe, does everything suddenly become complicated?
“I am not asking for a world without technology.
“That isn’t possible, it isn’t what young people want, and it certainly isn’t what I want for my own children.
Prince Harry said children deserved to feel safe wherever they ar
“All children should be able to go online and discover something wonderful. A friend. An interest that becomes a passion. A place where they feel understood.
“They deserve to feel safe wherever they are. In a classroom. On a playground. At any time, no matter where they are.”
He added: “My approach to life, and to the value of it, has perhaps unsurprisingly always been about prevention.
“Preventing harm before it happens, rather than waiting for tragedy before deciding something must change.”
The appearance coincided with the launch of the Lost Screen Memorial, a travelling art installation created to remember children who died after being subjected to harm online.
