Meghan Markle was visibly moved to tears as she and Prince Harry hosted a deeply emotional event in New York City, highlighting the devastating impact of social media on children.

Through their Archewell Foundation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled The Lost Screen Memorial, a striking installation atop Penn Station overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

The exhibit features 50 large illuminated smartphones, each displaying the lock screen photo of a child whose life was tragically cut short due to the dangers of the online world.

The photos, submitted by grieving parents from The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Network, serve as both a tribute and a powerful call for urgent action to make digital spaces safer for children.

Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, spent around 40 minutes in private vigil with the families, offering heartfelt embraces and listening closely to each story. Dressed in a black pantsuit as a sign of respect, Meghan gently asked each parent to show her their child’s image, pausing in silence to honor every life.

The atmosphere was somber and reflective, with both royals clearly affected by the experience.

In a moving statement, Prince Harry said: “These children were not sick. Their deaths were not inevitable—they were exposed to, and in many cases pushed toward, harmful content online. Content that any child could encounter. No child should be exploited or preyed upon in digital spaces.”

He added: “To tech companies, they may be just numbers. To their families, they were everything. This is a growing crisis. Social media is quietly taking our children, and those with the power to intervene are failing to act.”

The installation is open to the public for 24 hours, inviting others to reflect on the profound loss and advocate for urgent reforms to protect young lives.

James Holt, Executive Director of the Archewell Foundation, also spoke out: “All the children remembered here came from homes where parents were engaged and aware. But it wasn’t enough. Lawmakers must now take responsibility. What Harry, Meghan, and the Archewell Foundation have done is bring these families together—through their grief, they found strength and solidarity.”