Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk about kindness online in rare joint appearance

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have used a rare joint public appearance to speak out on the importance of being kind online.

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the virtual appearance from their new family home in Santa Barbara
• The couple joined a group of young people from the Queen's Commonwealth Trust and praised them for using the digital world as a force for good
• It follows royal news that Princess Beatrice's marital home has been revealed

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spoken out about the importance of being kind online.

The couple made a joint virtual appearance from their new Santa Barbara home on Monday to join young leaders from the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.

READ MORE: Prince Charles' sweet tribute to Meghan Markle revealed

Having experienced first-hand the effect of criticism online, Duchess Meghan - who is Vice-President of the QCT - said it is vital that less people take part in this "trolling" culture.

"When you look at what these platforms are capable of with that reach, and what that propels in terms of trolling… You can either train people to be cruel, or you can train people to be kind. It’s really that simple."

The mum-of-one also explained just how important being part of an online community can be, particularly in times like these during a global pandemic.

"Everyone's mental and emotional wellbeing are perhaps more fragile than ever before, certainly with COVID and our dependability on devices right now in the absence of human interaction. People are going online more than ever before to feel community," she revealed.

President of the QCT, Prince Harry, went on to praise the young people for re-defining the modern commonwealth.

"I think everything my grandmother wanted to achieve when she took this huge responsibility on, she’s managed… hearing you guys, and knowing the broad spectrum that QCT engulfs, you’re the definition of the 21st century Commonwealth, and what it means to be part of it. You are there, standing for equality, for mutual respect, and for fairness."

It comes just weeks after the Duke and Duchess pledged their support for a campaign raising awareness of "compassion" not "hate"online.