Prince Harry speaks out on online child safety after Meghan Markle’s dad’s arrest

Prince Harry has made his first public comments following the arrest of Meghan Markle's dad.

Speaking in Belgium to open the Lost Screen Memorial, which pays tribute to children lost to the harms of social media, he delivered a powerful speech addressing the need for people to stay safe online.

Harry opened the speech by asking the audience: “How did we reach a point where we can build technology capable of extraordinary things, yet still struggle to make it safe for a child?

“We rarely ask technology to be less ambitious.

"We’re told it will transform education. Cure disease. Solve problems we once thought impossible. Why should our ambition stop there?

“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.

He finished by saying: "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,” adding, “They deserve to feel safe wherever they are. In a classroom. On a playground. At any time, no matter where they are.”

When was Thomas Markle Sr. arrested

Thomas Markle Sr. was arrested on Friday, 6 November 2026.

He was taken into custody by FBI agents early in the morning at his assisted living facility in Lakeland, Florida. The 82-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with one count of possession of child pornography.

Following his arrest, he made an initial court appearance in Tampa that same afternoon, where a judge ordered him to be released under house arrest with electronic monitoring.

Prince Harry and Megan Markle travelled together to the European Parliament, where they reportedly ignored journalist's questions.

According to People Megan was asked “Meghan, how are you feeling and how are you coping?’”

The pair ignored the question.

Although the pair were initially down to speak together, The Telegraph have reported that Meghan is not currently feeling 'strong enough' to speak.

Harry and Meghan have been vocal about their support for the safety of young people on the internet, using their voices to hold big tech accountable for how social media affects young people.

Harry added: "Europe cannot become a safe haven for children while harmful practices simply migrate to countries with fewer protections.

"We must work alongside nations across the globe so that progress here does not leave children elsewhere exposed to the same risks.

“A child’s safety should never depend on which country they call home."

This is a breaking news story, more as we get it..