Prince Harry delivered a sobering reflection on modern society’s relationship with technology during his appearance at the Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival on October 10, 2025, where he warned that the digital world has fundamentally altered human perception of reality. Speaking to an audience at Spring Studios in New York, the Duke of Sussex drew connections between the global pandemic’s impact and ongoing mental health challenges facing young people today.
The prince opened the festival’s first session, titled “Thriving or Surviving: How Are Young People Doing in the Digital Age?” by addressing how recent years have stripped away life’s ordinary foundations. Harry explained that the global pandemic removed the usual scaffolding of daily existence and brought a measurable surge in anxiety, depression, and loss of connection among communities worldwide.
During his remarks, Harry reflected on lessons learned over the past five years since the pandemic began, emphasizing how digital platforms have reshaped childhood experiences and social interactions. His comments came as part of a broader initiative by the Sussex’s Archewell Foundation, which sponsored three panels at the festival focusing specifically on mental health crises among young people and online safety concerns.
An audience member who observed the event described Harry’s demeanor as notably subdued, suggesting the duke appeared sad, anxious, and tired during his presentation. The observer noted that Harry seemed uncomfortable speaking before the crowd and that the overall atmosphere felt businesslike rather than the warm reception typically associated with royal appearances.
Meghan Markle joined her husband for a separate presentation, introducing the second panel discussion moderated by Katie Couric. She addressed what she characterized as one of the most urgent questions facing families today, focusing on what is happening to childhood and how society can allow children to simply be children in an increasingly digital world.
The couple’s appearance at the festival followed their attendance at the Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Gala the previous evening, where they received the Humanitarians of the Year Award. The recognition highlighted their leadership and generosity in making a profound difference in the lives of many individuals and families affected by mental health challenges.
Behind the scenes, Meghan documented their New York experience through personal videos shared on social media, showing intimate moments including Harry relaxing barefoot in gray sweats and their preparation for various events. The footage revealed the couple’s more private interactions, including shared laughter backstage and casual moments in their accommodations.
The duke’s comments about digital transformation and reality perception come amid ongoing challenges in his personal life, including continued security concerns during his visits to the United Kingdom. Recent incidents during his September 2025 visit to London highlighted vulnerabilities when a female stalker approached him on multiple occasions, with only two private office staffers available to intervene rather than professional security personnel.
Harry’s focus on mental health advocacy represents a continuation of work he has pursued since stepping back from senior royal duties in 2020. His appearance at the New York festival demonstrated his commitment to addressing what he views as critical challenges facing young people in an increasingly connected yet isolating digital landscape.
The event also served as a platform for discussing broader societal changes that have emerged since the pandemic began. Harry’s observations about the past five years reflected on how traditional support systems and social structures were disrupted, creating new vulnerabilities particularly among younger generations who have grown up during this period of unprecedented change.
Following their festival appearances, the couple departed for lunch with tennis champion Serena Williams at Soho House, continuing their private engagements in New York. The visit represented part of their ongoing efforts to maintain independence while pursuing causes they consider essential to societal wellbeing.
The prince’s warnings about digital reality distortion align with broader concerns among mental health professionals about technology’s impact on young people’s development and social skills. His platform at the festival provided an opportunity to address these issues directly while highlighting potential solutions for families navigating modern challenges.
