Prince Harry appeared emotional at a recent outing with grieving families at a landmark social media-related trial in California.

“None of you should be here,” Harry, 41, said as he cleared his throat in a speech that was shared on Thursday, February 12, by BBC Breakfast. “Thank you for doing everything that you’ve done. Thank you for telling your stories over and over again. Truth, justice and accountability. Those are the three things that will come from this.”

Harry was speaking to families who alleged that platforms like Instagram and YouTube hurt the younger generation’s mental health.

According to Hello! Magazine, Harry went on to reference his time in court — noting this was “vastly different” and calling it a “David versus Goliath” situation — when he testified in January against the publisher of Daily Mail.

“When you were sitting in court and if you have that feeling of just overwhelming emotion because you can’t believe that the people on the other side are saying what they’re saying, that by the very nature of them defending what they’re defending, the lies that they are stating, is devaluing life, is devaluing your children’s lives, if that brings stuff up for you, it is totally normal.”

He continued, “Do not feel ashamed, do not feel concerned. Even if the judge — as I heard — turned round and asked you not to show emotion.”

Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have been vocal through the years about creating a safer environment online. The pair, who tied the knot in 2018, addressed this case in a statement on their website. (Harry and Meghan, 44, are parents of son Archie and daughter Lilibet, whom they welcomed in 2019 and 2021, respectively.)

“Through their philanthropic efforts in the online harms space spanning six years of dedicated learning, listening, and advocacy, Prince Harry and Meghan, today, recognize the pivotal moment taking place this week as it pertains to families seeking truth, justice and safeguards for children and communities around the world,” the statement began. “Families devastated by online harm have waited too long for this moment.”

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down for a new joint interview during the Sunday, August 4, episode of CBS Sunday Morning. Harry, 39, and Meghan, who turned 43 on Sunday, joined Jane Pauley to discuss a new initiative for kids regarding social media, called The Parents Network. “All you want to do as parents […]

The message continued, “Our growing community of The Parents’ Network have lived through the horrific consequences of cyberbullying, algorithm-driven manipulation, and worse. They as well as whistleblowers have told us for years that platforms prioritize engagement over safety. This week, social media companies are starting to face accountability across the world.” (Meghan and Harry began The Parents Network in 2022, a community that aims to protect kids from online harm.)

The statement went on to address the Los Angeles trial and other social media restrictions in Spain, Australia, France and Denmark.

“We invite you to support these brave families and parents who have paid the ultimate cost in losing a child,” the statement concluded, “yet who still stand strong and ready to fight for the rights of other families, championing their efforts as they advocate for the protection of all children online.”