The Duke of Sussex stepped out in D.C. to take part in a keynote conversation at one of the world’s biggest gatherings focused on privacy and online safety.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks at the International Association of Privacy Professionals Conference on March 31, 2026
Prince Harry speaks at the International Association of Privacy Professionals Conference on March 31, 2026 in Washington, D.C.Credit : Shannon Finney/Gett
Prince Harry stepped out in Washington, D.C., for a rare public appearance at one of the world’s largest summits focused on privacy, AI and online safety.
On March 31, the Duke of Sussex, 41, spoke at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Conference, taking part in a “keynote conversation” at the IAPP Global Summit, which bills itself as “the world’s largest annual gathering of digital responsibility professionals, attracting top experts in privacy, AI governance and cybersecurity law.”
Harry was pictured giving a wave on stage and chatting at the event, which took place weeks before his father, King Charles, is due in D.C. for a state visit.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have made online safety and digital responsibility a key focus of their philanthropic work since stepping back from their royal roles in the U.K. in 2020, and they released a statement last week praising a landmark verdict against YouTube and Meta.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks at the International Association of Privacy Professionals Conference on March 31, 2026
Prince Harry speaks at the International Association of Privacy Professionals Conference on March 31, 2026 in Washington, D.C.Shannon Finney/Getty
On stage, Prince Harry said, “At a time when there is so much devastation and suffering happening in the world, it might seem strange to be speaking about privacy. But I see it differently. I see privacy as a foundational issue – one that underpins trust, safety, and the stability of our societies. And getting this right will have global consequences.”
“My connection to privacy, and the lack of it, begins in a different place than most: from birth,” he continued. “You may know that I’ve spent the past seven years in litigation against three media organizations in the U.K. over their systemic and unlawful invasions of privacy, as well as the cover-up of it, dating back to the early 2000s. The worst examples of an industry that too often behaves as though it owns people’s privacy—and feels it gets to decide what constitutes the public interest. Unfortunately, I have come to learn that this exploitation has become normalized.”
The Duke of Sussex continued that he has “nothing to gain from taking on powerful institutions. In many ways, it’s come at a personal and reputational cost for me, my wife, and our kids.”
“But is it worth it? Absolutely. Because this is about more than one individual—it’s about the systems that shape and influence all of our lives,” he said.
Harry encouraged those in attendance to continue confronting the issue and take accountability.
“We have to rewrite the script. We have to be strategic. Put rules in place. Trojan horse in protection if necessary,” he said. “We have to build systems of governance that actually protect people. And we have to build a culture that demands real, meaningful privacy.
The IAPP event brought Prince Harry to the East Coast from his California home, where he lives with Meghan and their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Prince Harry hit the stage on the same day that Buckingham Palace officially announced that King Charles will undertake a state visit to the U.S. in late April.
The palace said that King, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, will travel across the pond next month to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
More details are expected in due course, and the couple will visit at the invitation of President Donald Trump.
On Wednesday, the White House shared that the King and Queen will visit the U.S. from April 27 to April 30, and Trump said it will include a banquet at the White House.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla meet staff and gardeners at The Eden Project during an event celebrating its 25th anniversary on March 24, 2026 in St Austell, England.
King Charles and Queen Camilla on March 24, 2026.Toby Shepheard – WPA Pool/Getty
“Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th,” the president said in a statement shared to Truth Social and other social media platforms.
“This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect,” he continued. “It will be TERRIFIC!”
While the state visit will bring the King to the country where Prince Harry lives, PEOPLE understands that the father and son won’t be meeting up during the trip.
“When you’re talking about a state visit, every minute is accounted for — especially when it’s the King traveling as the invited guest of a head of state,” a source tells PEOPLE, adding that there’s an understanding on both sides.
“Harry knows how things are and wouldn’t ask for that either under these circumstances,” says the source.