Prince Harry appeared to be on the verge of tears as he joined British families who claimed their children died after using social media at a low-key outing in Los Angeles. The Duke of Sussex appeared emotional as he told bereaved parents on Wednesday that “none of you should be here” and praised them for “telling your stories over and over again” as a landmark trial in Los Angeles will examine whether tech giants, like Meta, Instagram and Youtube, had caused damage to young people’s health.

Harry said in a video shared on BBC Breakfast: “None of you should be here. 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.”

The Duke indeed that he has been in “some similar situations” himself and dubbed the landmark trial a “David versus Goliath situation”.

He said in the video: “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.

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

One of the bereaved parents present at the gathering was Ellen Roome, who claims her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died after an online challenge went wrong.

She said: “We can't make a difference for our children, but we can make a difference for other people's children.”

It comes as Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, released a powerful statement today about accountability and children's safety online, ahead of the trial.

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The Sussex couple said they recognise the “pivotal moment” that is taking place this week about “families seeking truth, justice and safeguards for children and communities around the world”.

Harry and Meghan, who have long campaigned about child safety online, praised the efforts done so social media companies can “face accountability across the world” after companies had their platforms use “manipulative algorithms built with profits, not child safety, as the priority”. The statement read: “Families devastated by online harm have waited too long for this moment.

“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 prioritise engagement over safety.”

They spoke about how tech giants like Meta and Google are set to face the first jury trial in Los Angeles, which will examine how their platforms are designed to addict children, while they also spoke about Spain, Australia and France’s plans to deal with online safety.

Harry and Meghan also urged governments to put safeguards in place, adding that it has to be “not just the part of the companies but on the part of their own duty to human rights and safety,” saying that no single country’s law “solves a global problem”.

The statement concluded: “We invite you to support these brave families and parents who have paid the ultimate cost in losing a child, 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.”