Prince Harry has commended Australia’s strong and “outstanding” approach to tackling harmful social media use among teenagers, while Meghan Markle spoke candidly about enduring years of online harassment.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently on a four-day visit to Australia, where their schedule includes engagements focused on sport, mental health awareness, and support for military veterans.
Australia recently made global headlines in December after becoming the first country to introduce a ban on social media access for children under 16. The law restricts minors from platforms such as TikTok, YouTube (owned by Alphabet), and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram. The move has drawn international attention, with several countries reportedly considering similar measures.
During a discussion hosted in Melbourne by the mental health organization Batyr, Prince Harry acknowledged the debate surrounding such restrictions but praised the country’s leadership.
“People can debate the advantages and disadvantages of a ban, and I’m not here to judge that,” he said. “But from a responsibility and leadership perspective, it’s outstanding.”
In the same conversation, Meghan Markle addressed the impact of sustained online abuse, revealing the extent of the negativity she says she has faced over the past decade.
“For ten years, every single day, I’ve been bullied and attacked,” she said. “I was labeled as the most trolled person in the entire world.”
The couple stepped away from their roles as senior working members of the British royal family in 2020 and relocated to the United States, stating their intention to achieve financial independence and distance themselves from what they described as intense media intrusion into their private lives.
Their most recent visit to Australia contrasts with their 2018 tour, when they were still active members of the royal family and famously announced Meghan’s first pregnancy shortly after arriving in Sydney.
While public reactions in Australia toward Harry and Meghan remain mixed—particularly in a nation where King Charles is head of state and republican debate continues—their current trip is privately funded. However, local reports have suggested that certain policing expenses may be covered by taxpayers, prompting a petition opposing public funding that has gathered tens of thousands of signatures.
Unlike their previous official tour, this visit also includes what their office describes as private meetings and special projects. Prince Harry spent time with military veterans, while Meghan appeared as a guest judge on an episode of MasterChef Australia.
Additionally, Meghan is set to co-host a luxury wellness retreat in Sydney over the weekend. The event, featuring yoga, manifestation sessions, and sound healing practices, is priced from approximately A$2,699 per person.
