The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made their first public comments since arriving in the UK, but it has nothing to do with Harry’s homecoming.
Instead of making a formal statement about their bombshell move or how it will impact the couple’s relationship with the rest of the royal family, they have used their public platform to take aim at a tech company.
The couple has slammed Meta, accusing them of avoiding ‘accountability’. Getty
The Sussexes released a joint statement on their website slamming Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, for avoiding accountability and “failing to apologise” for endangering children on its social media platforms.
It comes after Meta agreed to pay $US17.1billion ($23.77 billion) in settlements over violations of child privacy and consumer protection laws in the US.
“By choosing to settle, the company paid to avoid yet another trial outcome that would force it into accountability,” the couple claimed.
The couple published the lengthy statement published on their official website. Getty
“Because of the data-extraction business model Meta has used on our children and all users for years, it has more than the means to pay this settlement. Reports estimate Meta will make the equivalent of the $17 billion payout back in profit in the next 30 days.”
The landmark multi-state federal trial against Meta was due to begin in California on August 18.
Jury selection had taken place, opening statements had been given and the trial was scheduled to last six to eight weeks and include testimony from Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg before it abruptly ended and the details of the settlement were released.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex acknowledged the changes Meta would be making to its platforms, calling them “significant”.
However, they were critical of Meta’s failure to apologise.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has avoided a lengthy trial following the settlement. AP
They ended the statement saying they “celebrate with the parent and youth partners, legal and policy experts, and allies everywhere fighting for accountability”.
Although the danger of social media has been an ongoing topic of importance for the Sussexes, a long-winded statement about a tech company was not what royal watchers had expected as the first official statement from the couple.
The couple’s stunning move to abandon their six-year mission in the US and enrol their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools has still gone largely unexplained.
Even Buckingham Palace has been mild in its response to the Sussexes and their monumental move.
Harry, Meghan and their children touched down in the UK via private earlier this week.
The family have returned as private citizens and are not expected to resume royal duties.
The family returns as private citizens following a six-year stay in the United States. Getty Images for the Invictus Games
Prince Harry is scheduled to attend a number of engagements including the WellChild Awards in London on September 8 in addition to events leading up to the Invictus Games which will take place in Birmingham in 2027.
There has also been speculation Meghan will resume her acting career. Their children have been enrolled in local schools.