The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have scaled back their involvement in a campaign they once championed. The move comes as the couple continue to face uncertainty over their UK security arrangements.

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Their decision has raised questions about the future direction of their advocacy work.

Stepping aside

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly withdrawn from day-to-day involvement in the Parents Network, an initiative created to support parents who have lost children to online harm.

The project was launched in 2024 as the Archewell Foundation Parents Network. According to The Express, operational control has now been transferred to ParentsTogether, a group that provides guidance to families concerned about children’s digital media use.

Newsweek reported that Archewell Philanthropies has handed over “full operational capacity” to the new organisation.

A central cause

The couple have been outspoken campaigners on online safety, repeatedly warning about the risks social media poses to young people. They have made public appearances and delivered speeches highlighting the impact of digital platforms on children’s mental health.

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In an interview with the BBC last April, Prince Harry said: “We want to make sure that things are changed so that… no more kids are lost to social media. Life is better off social media.”

He added that keeping children offline is not always simple, noting: “The sad reality is the kids who aren’t on social media normally get bullied at school because they can’t be part of the same conversation as everybody else.”

Families at the centre

Meghan has spoken about the parents involved in the network, describing their experiences as a source of hope. “I think in many ways what we see through these parents is the hope and the promise of something better,” she said.

Beyond emotional support, the couple backed calls for technology firms to allow grieving parents access to data on the phones of children who have died. Some companies currently refuse, citing privacy rules.

“You are telling a parent… that they can’t have the details of what their kid was up to on social media because of the privacy of their kid. It’s wrong,” Harry told the BBC.

Global policy debate

The Sussexes also weighed in on Australia’s decision to ban under-16s from social media. While praising the move, they said: “It shouldn’t have come to this.”

In a statement shared through their foundation, they welcomed Australia’s leadership and criticised technology companies for “feeble efforts” to prevent harm. The policy includes fines of up to $49.5m for platforms that fail to block underage users.

Uncertain outlook

While the couple remain vocal on digital safety, stepping back from the Parents Network marks a shift in their direct involvement. It comes at a time when they are already facing pressure over unresolved security arrangements in the UK.

How closely they remain linked to the cause may become clearer in the months ahead.

Sources: The Express, Newsweek, BBC