Prince Harry voices message of optimism to 12,000 schoolchildren as Meghan ...

Prince Harry turned political yesterday as he told an audience of cheering young people that they were ‘the most engaged generation in history’.

In a very modern speech to some 12,000 schoolchildren and students, he said they needed to have ‘less screen time, and more face-to-face time, exceed expectations, and take risks’ if they were to leave their mark on the world.

However his message of positivity was also peppered with criticism of previous generations, suggesting they were judgmental, lacked positivity and were incapable of ‘thinking outside the box’.

Prince Harry, supported by Meghan, told an audience of cheering young people that they were ¿the most engaged generation in history¿

Prince Harry, supported by Meghan, told an audience of cheering young people that they were ‘the most engaged generation in history’

Harry was at Wembley Arena in London to mark WE Day, a global initiative encouraging young people to take part in positive social change.

And he drew screams from the young crowd as he announced: ‘I’m now going to drag my wife on stage.’

Pregnant Meghan, who was not scheduled to be part of the event, smiled as her husband led her from her seat and then stood with her arms around him as he spoke.

Harry even referenced the duchess – who friends revealed now writes many of his speeches. He said: ‘As my wife often reminds me with one her favourite quotes by Martin Luther King Jr, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”.’

Harry, 34, in his role as president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, told the crowd: ‘Your optimism is inspiring – you see opportunities where other people see challenges; you seek solutions when others just focus on problems.

Pregnant Meghan, who was not scheduled to be part of the event, smiled as her husband led her from her seat

Pregnant Meghan, who was not scheduled to be part of the event, smiled as her husband led her from her seat

‘You are the most engaged generation in history. You care about values, doing the right thing, and championing the causes that will shape your future. You don’t judge someone on how they look, where they’re from, or how they identify.’

He said he felt ‘proud to stand in your presence as you tackle the world’s greatest issues. And you guys know as well as I do, we’ve still got so much to do’.

The prince attacked both mainstream and social media and said he understood why younger people found themselves ‘frustrated’ by older generations.

‘If we look at the world we’re living in, I know it can feel challenging sometimes, but your role is to shine the light,’ the prince said.

‘Every day you are inundated with an overexposure of advertising and mainstream media, social media and endless comparisons, distorting the truth, and trying to manipulate the power of positive thinking.

He was speaking to 12,000 schoolchildren and students, and he said they needed to have ¿less screen time, and more face-to-face time'

He was speaking to 12,000 schoolchildren and students, and he said they needed to have ‘less screen time, and more face-to-face time'

‘But you don’t let them sway you. You confidently voice your opinions because you can embrace them proudly.

‘You aren’t always going to agree, you may find yourselves frustrated with the older generation when it seems like they don’t care. But try to remove that judgment. Try to remember that not everyone sees the world the way you do, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care.

‘It means you have the incredible opportunity to help reshape mindsets, to empower those around you to think outside the box and to work with you, not

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