On World Mental Health Day, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle captivated audiences in New York City, passionately championing mental health awareness and spearheading the conversation on protecting children from online harms, all while the Duchess shared a heartwarming tribute to the Duke.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, recently underscored their unwavering commitment to global mental health and online safety during a significant appearance at the Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival and Gala in New York City. Their impactful presence on October 10 and 11, 2025, highlighted the urgent need to address the pervasive influence of the digital world on young people and marked them as leading advocates in this crucial conversation.
The couple, who are well-known for their humanitarian work through the Archewell Foundation, were honored as Humanitarians of the Year at the Project Healthy Minds gala. This annual event aims to unite cultural, artistic, business, and civic leaders to champion mental health awareness and reshape cultural perspectives. The recognition celebrates their ongoing dedication to fostering new conversations about mental well-being and supporting communities impacted by social media harms.
Prince Harry’s Powerful Call to Action on the Digital Age
During a panel discussion titled “Surviving or Thriving: How Are Young People Doing in the Digital Age?”, Prince Harry delivered a powerful and poignant speech. He reflected on the profound changes of the past five years, noting how crises rarely arrive in isolation. “The global pandemic stripped away the ordinary scaffolding of life and brought a measurable surge in anxiety, depression and loss of connection,” he stated, adding that conflicts worldwide have created waves of trauma.
The Duke specifically zeroed in on the perils of the digital world. He warned that “our digital world has fundamentally changed how we experience reality, young people exposed to relentless comparison, harassment, misinformation and an attention economy designed to keep us scrolling at the expense of sleep and real human contact.” He emphasized that the impact of social media on children is “one of the most pressing issues of our time,” a stance he has consistently advocated through his work.
He cited a staggering statistic, revealing that the Social Media Victims Law Centre is currently representing 4,000 families whose children have been harmed or lost due to social media. “If these were unintended consequences 10 years ago, what are they now?” Harry questioned, calling it a “pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in the digital age.” More information on the organization and its work can be found on the Social Media Victims Law Centre website.
Meghan Markle: A Parent’s Perspective on Online Safety
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, joined her husband in highlighting the vital importance of protecting children from online harms. As parents to Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, the couple frequently discusses how to balance the benefits of technology with safeguarding against its dangers. Meghan acknowledged that while their children are “luckily, still too young for social media,” they know “that day is coming, and like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits while safeguarding against the dangers.”
During her remarks, Meghan spoke passionately about the Archewell Foundation’s Parents Network, an initiative dedicated to supporting families impacted by social media harm. She recounted meeting “parents whose world had been absolutely shattered,” losing children to social media-driven suicide or grappling with depression, anxiety, and self-harm inflicted by online platforms. The Duchess stressed the need for communal support, noting that these parents “didn’t just need therapy, they needed other parents who understood their very specific grief.” The Parents Network fosters this community, turning shared stories into a movement for change.
A Personal Touch: Meghan’s Romantic Tribute to Harry
Amidst their serious advocacy, Meghan shared a heartwarming personal moment on her Instagram stories. She posted a black-and-white video of herself laughing with Harry backstage, set to Sylvie Vartan’s song “Baby, C’est Vous.” Her caption, “Happy World Mental Health Day…tothemanwhoalwayskeepsmelaughing,” offered a sweet glimpse into their relationship and resonated deeply with fans. This romantic tribute underscored their shared commitment to the causes they champion, demonstrating that even in their demanding roles, their personal connection remains strong.
The Archewell Foundation’s Continued Impact
The couple’s participation at the Project Healthy Minds event further solidified the Archewell Foundation’s role in addressing critical issues. The foundation announced a significant partnership between its Parents Network initiative and ParentsTogether, a non-profit organization focused on family advocacy and online safety. This collaboration aims to strengthen the fight against the “explosion of unregulated artificial intelligence” and the data collection algorithms that exploit young people online.
Harry articulated the foundation’s growing understanding of the challenge: “As our network grew, we’ve seen the full scope of what we’re facing. We have witnessed the explosion of unregulated artificial intelligence, heard more and more stories from heartbroken families, and watched parents all over the world become increasingly concerned about their children’s digital lives.” Their dedication to supporting these families continues to be a cornerstone of their philanthropic efforts, which aligns with Project Healthy Minds’ mission to provide accessible mental health services, as highlighted on their official website.
Fashion and Public Presence
The Duchess of Sussex’s attire for the events also garnered attention. For the gala, Meghan appeared in a sleek black suit by Giorgio Armani, accessorized with a gold Anine Bing double link chain and Guzema diamond earrings. The following day at the festival, she opted for a more relaxed yet sophisticated look, donning a blue-and-white striped button-down shirt from Ralph Lauren, which she had previously worn in 2018, paired with navy high-waisted trousers and Manolo Blahnik pumps. Her consistent choice of elegant and meaningful ensembles reflects her thoughtful approach to public appearances, reinforcing her image as a dedicated royal and humanitarian.
While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle commanded much of the spotlight for their mental health advocacy, other members of the royal family also carried out engagements during this period. Princess Anne undertook visits in Aberdeenshire, while Prince William paid an emotional visit to a bereaved widow, emphasizing the need for support for those affected by suicide. Even King Charles made a rare joint engagement with Prince William at the Natural History Museum, focusing on climate change. These collective efforts underscore the broader royal family’s commitment to diverse humanitarian causes, but the Sussexes’ targeted focus on digital well-being continues to resonate strongly with a global audience.
