Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle appeared on ABC's first ever Time 100 television special on Tuesday, speaking out about "online negativity" and the 2020 election. The royal couple has been increasingly vocal over the past several months, particularly in regard to the often harmful effects of social media and online communities, and believe that how Americans vote could help incite change.
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While Harry and Meghan kept a low profile after moving to the United States early in 2020, they've been steadily positioning themselves as activists for a few months now, with much of their effort being channeled toward mental health awareness and pushing online businesses to create healthier and more tolerant atmospheres on their platforms.
Now the duke and duchess have added urging US citizens to vote in the 2020 election to their agenda as well.
The royal couple spoke from their new US home.
Meghan and Harry gave their statement from their new home in the Montecito community of Santa Barbara, California, giving fans a glimpse into their new life, including a peek at their pup, who can be seen video bombing the duke and duchess about 45 seconds in.
Time 100 was Meghan and Harry's first US television appearance.
The roughly two-minute segment during the Time 100 special, which honors Time magazine's choice of the year's 100 most influential people in the world, marks Prince Harry and Meghan's first US television appearance. Meghan and Harry made the Time 100 list in 2018 and as a result were asked to be a part of the special this year.
They repeated their call for online change.
Meghan and Harry have been vocal proponents of efforts to incite change in the global online atmosphere, asking for companies to better regulate the types of interactions and speech that are permitted on their online platforms. "What we consume, what we are exposed to, and what we engage with online has a real effect on all of us," Prince Harry said.
Community matters.
During the Time 100 special, Meghan Markle stated the importance of "seeing the world the through lens of community," urging others to focus more on the good of everyone rather than just the good of the individual.
Be a good neighbor.
"Good neighbors look out for each other, protect each other, and keep each other safe. Good neighbors also ensure that we are informed with facts and not fiction about our communities and the issues that affect us," the duchess asserted.
Harry went on about the "online space."
"Once you see that many of the world's greatest issues are being inflamed by the online space, you realize you need to do something," Prince Harry said, keeping focused on his latest cause.
Harry and Meghan are on the same page.
"Tonight reminds us of how important it is to watch out for each other, to care for each other, and to inspire each other," Harry stated, echoing the sentiments of his wife in regard to community.
They urged Americans to vote this November.
When they were senior members of the royal family, Meghan and Harry had to follow protocol by avoiding politics, but since they've stepped down from their duties, their latest message seems like a natural progression for them. "We're six weeks out from election day, and today is National Voter Registration Day," Meghan said.
Meghan wants Americans to be heard.
"Every four years, we're told, 'This is the most important election of our lifetime.' But this one is. When we vote, our values are put into action, and our voices are heard," continued Meghan, who was born and raised in Los Angeles.
She issued Americans an important reminder.
"Your voice is a reminder that you matter, because you do and you deserve to be heard," said Meghan, who actually started her campaign to get more Americans to vote over the summer when she and famed activist Gloria Steinem cold-called citizens, encouraging them to vote.
Prince Harry can't vote.
Prince Harry—who is, of course, not an American citizen—obviously won't be able to vote in November, but he explained that as a royal he actually has never been permitted to vote in England, either. Still, he recognizes how important it is to exercise the right to vote.
Harry says it's time to "act."
"When the bad outweighs the good, for many, whether we realize it or not, it erodes our ability to have compassion and our ability to put ourself in someone else’s shoes. Because when one person buys into negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially. It’s time to not only reflect, but act," the prince said in the clip.
Harry explained why he thinks voting is so important.
"As we approach this November, it's vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation, and online negativity," Harry explained, tying together his messages regarding reforming online spaces and the importance of voting.
Meghan has been quietly campaigning for months.
"I also know that so many men and women have put their lives on the line for us to be heard. And that opportunity, that fundamental right, is in our ability to exercise our right to vote and to make all of our voices heard," she told Marie Claire in August.
They acknowledged the Time honorees.
"We are incredibly proud to join you in this historic moment in time," concluded Harry, referencing the Time 100 honorees, which include J Balvin, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Senator Kamala Harris, and actress Gabrielle Union, among others.
