Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan issued a strong August 2026 statement accusing tech firms of valuing profit over the safety of women and children and praising Minnesota's unanimous 65-0 ban on AI "nudification" tools. They criticized xAI — maker of Grok and its "Imagine" feature — after the company sued to block the law, arguing it could violate free-speech rights. A federal judge denied xAI's immediate request to block enforcement on July 31, and a hearing on a preliminary injunction was scheduled for Aug. 19, 2026.
Harry and Meghan Criticize Elon Musk and xAI After Minnesota's Landmark Ban on AI "Nudification"
Harry and Meghan blast Elon Musk, Big Tech over 'predatory' AI features
LONDON — Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan issued a forceful statement in August 2026 accusing major technology companies of prioritizing profit over the digital safety of women and children.
What They Said
On their official website the couple published a statement titled "Can we all agree technology should not enable predators to target children?" praising Minnesota's decision to outlaw AI "nudification" tools. The state Senate approved the measure unanimously, 65-0, making it the first law of its kind in the United States.
Without naming him directly, the Sussexes criticized "the trillionaire leader of the tech company responsible for X's Grok" after xAI — the company behind Grok — sued Minnesota to block the law. A representative for Elon Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Legal Challenge
Last week xAI filed a federal lawsuit asking a judge to block enforcement of the ban. The company acknowledged the state has an interest in preventing AI-generated sexualized content but argued the law "extends far beyond that goal" and could amount to an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. On July 31, a federal judge denied xAI's request for an immediate block; a hearing on whether to grant a preliminary injunction was scheduled for Aug. 19, 2026.
Concerns About Grok's "Imagine" Feature
The pair singled out Grok's "Imagine" tool, which critics say can be used to create sexualized deepfakes without consent. Meghan and Harry accused the company of "mitigating risk to their bottom line instead of aggressively responding to the clear evidence their product features are enabling predators to prey on women and children."
"Big Tech companies are raising billions claiming AI will bring society forward, yet they retaliate against basic safety measures to keep children safe," the Sussexes wrote. "Can AI make our world better while it enables the worst in humans? Should our children pay the price while we wait to find out?"
Context And Background
The couple have long been outspoken about the harms of social media and the rapid development of AI. They frame online safety as a global humanitarian concern, have met with families affected by online harms, and urged platforms to adopt stronger moderation and protections. In previous public appearances they have highlighted youth mental-health issues tied to social platforms.
After stepping back from frontline royal duties, the Sussexes relocated to California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. They continue to build a media presence and pursue philanthropic work while using their platform to shape public debate on technology and child protection.
Why It Matters
Minnesota's unanimous 65-0 vote and the subsequent legal clash with xAI underscore the growing tension between efforts to curb technology-driven harms and companies' free-speech claims. As AI image tools become more accessible and sophisticated, lawmakers, courts and platforms face pressure to balance innovation with concrete protections for vulnerable people.
How this case is resolved may influence state-level regulation, platform policy and corporate responsibility regarding AI tools that can produce sexualized or nonconsensual imagery.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's love story is better than fiction.The British royal and former "Suits" star married at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, but have since distanced themselves from the monarchy — for reasons detailed inHarry's memoiras well as theirNetflix docuseries— and settled down in Duchess Meghan's home state of California with their two children,Prince ArchieandPrincess Lilibet.As they continue tobuild a media empireand perform philanthropy work across the globe, let's take a look back at their relationship over the years, starting with Harry and Meghan greeting members of the public at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney on April 17, 2026.(Cameron Spencer, Getty Images)
Prince Harry, right, and Duchess Meghan arrive at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum in Melbourne, Australia, on April 14, 2026.(Pool photo by Jonathan Brady, via Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, left, and Prince Harry attend the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 15, 2026.(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
Prince Harry, from left, tennis star Serena Williams and Duchess Meghan attend the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala in West Hollywood, California, on Nov. 8, 2025.(Emma McIntyre, Getty Images for Baby2Baby)
Prince Harry, right, and Duchess Meghan look on from the stands during Game 4 of the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 28, 2025.(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
Prince Harry, left, and Duchess Meghan attend the Whistler Welcome Celebration during the Invictus Games in Whistler, Canada, on Feb. 10, 2025.(Jennifer Gauthier, REUTERS)
Prince Harry, right, and Duchess Meghan pose with dancers during a visit to the National Centre for the Arts in Bogota, Colombia, on Aug. 15, 2024.(RAUL ARBOLEDA, AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry, left, and Duchess Meghan meet with children during their visit to the Lightway Academy in Nigeria, as part of celebrations for the Invictus Games anniversary, on May 10, 2024.(KOLA SULAIMON, AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan watch a dance being performed at the Lightway Academy in Nigeria on May 10, 2024.(Andrew Esiebo, Getty Images for The Archewell F)
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan celebrate a Vancouver Canucks goal during the third period of the NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, on Nov. 20, 2023.(Derek Cain, Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, left, and Prince Harry stride holding hands as they arrive at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Sept. 13, 2023.(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, left, gives a speech with Prince Harry by her side at the "Friends @ Home" event during Day 3 of the Invictus Games at the Station Airport in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Sept. 12, 2023.(Chris Jackson, Getty Images for the Invictus Ga)
Prince Harry, right, and Duchess Meghan attend the closing ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games at Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Sept. 16, 2023.(Chris Jackson, Getty Images for the Invictus Ga)
Prince Harry, right, and Duchess Meghan attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 One Young World Summit at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, England, on Sept. 5, 2022.(Chris Jackson, Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, left, and Prince Harry color-coordinate during a trip to New York on Sept. 23, 2021. Meghan wore navy blue from head to toe, including her slacks, blazer, turtleneck and heels. Meanwhile, Harry donned a suit and tie.(Roy Rochlin, Getty Images)
Prince Harry, left, and Duchess Meghan appear on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in September 2021. The outlet praised the couple for "springing into action" and using their platform for good.(Pari Dukovic, Time)
During an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed they were expecting their second child, a baby girl. Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsorwas bornin June 2021.(Misan Harriman/Duke and Duchess of Sussex via Getty Images)
Prince Harry, left, and Duchess Meghan attend the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9, 2020.(TOLGA AKMEN, AFP via Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, left, and Prince Harry attend the 2019 Commonwealth Day Service in central London on March 11, 2019.(BEN STANSALL, AFP via Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, left, and Prince Harry attend The Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in London on March 7, 2019.(SIMON DAWSON, POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Five months after their wedding, Prince Harry, right, and Duchess Meghan made an official visit to Sussex in Chichester, England, on Oct. 3, 2018.The couple married on May 19, 2018, in Windsor and were christened the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II on the morning of their nuptials.(Chris Jackson, Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, center, and Prince Harry, right, sit with Harry's brother, Prince William, during the service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration at Westminster Abbey in London on April 25, 2018.(WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Earlier in the day, Duchess Meghan, left, and Prince Harry attended a dawn service in Hyde Park Corner. Meghan wore a gray Smythe coat for the occasion.(WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry, left, and Duchess Meghan step out in Bath, England, to attend the U.K. team trials for the Invictus Games on April 6, 2018.(Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
During the couple's trip, the Duke and Duchess visited the Eikon Exhibition Centre and attended "Amazing the Space," a youth-led peace-building initiative.(Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, left, and Prince Harry visit Millennium Point, a destination providing workspace to organizations focused on STEM and education, in Birmingham, England on March 8, 2018.(WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry, left, and Duchess Meghan walk together during Meghan's first visit to Scotland in Edinburgh on Feb. 13, 2018.(WPA Pool, Getty Images)
After their visit to Edinburgh Castle, the couple moved on to Social Bite, a café that helps feed the homeless and a favorite charity for Prince Harry.(WPA Pool, Getty Images)
Duchess Meghan, right, and Prince Harry visit Wales on Jan. 18, 2018.(Chris Jackson, Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Two primary school children, Harry Smith and Megan Taylor, present a wedding gift – a Celtic love spoon in a red box – to Prince Harry, right, and Duchess Meghan, second from right, during the engaged couple's visit to Cardiff.(WPA Pool, Getty Images)
Prince Harry, right, and Duchess Meghan attend a street dance class during their visit to Star Hub in Cardiff, Wales, on Jan. 18, 2018.Under her Stella McCartney coat, Meghan wore a wide-shouldered jacket in wool herringbone by Theory with black jeans.(WPA Pool, Getty Images)
Prince Harry, left, and Duchess Meghan pose for photos the day of their engagement announcement in the Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace in London on Nov. 27, 2017.(Chris Jackson)
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