Harry and Meghan Likened to 'Mickey and Minnie Mouse' Taking on 'King Kong' After Meta Criticism

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been compared to 'Mickey and Minnie Mouse' taking on 'King Kong' after they commented on Meta's multibillion-dollar child-safety settlement.

The comparison came from Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir, who criticised the couple for weighing in on the agreement involving Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.

Harry and Meghan issued a statement welcoming measures aimed at strengthening protections for young users while questioning Meta's decision to settle the litigation. Their comments came shortly after the couple returned to Britain with their two children for an extended stay.

Jan Moir Compares Sussexes to 'Mickey and Minnie Mouse'

Writing for the Daily Mail, Moir mocked Harry and Meghan's decision to comment on the Meta settlement, writing: 'You have to laugh. It's like Mickey and Minnie Mouse firing a peashooter at King Kong.'

Moir questioned the Sussexes' decision to involve themselves in the debate surrounding the litigation against Meta and criticised what she portrayed as the couple's continued focus on social and environmental causes.

Her remarks were opinion and commentary rather than a legal assessment of the Meta settlement or Harry and Meghan's involvement in online-safety advocacy.

Moir also criticised the couple's reported plans for life in Britain, including reports that Prince Harry could take on a more home-focused role while Meghan continues her professional activities.

Why Harry and Meghan Welcomed and Questioned the Meta Settlement

The criticism followed a statement from Harry and Meghan after Meta settled with US states over multibillion-dollar allegations concerning the design and safety of Facebook and Instagram.

Reuters reported the federal case, involving 29 states, could reach $18bn, with the wider framework valued at up to $17.1bn and further payments conditional on rival platforms adopting similar measures.

The allegations included claims that Meta's platforms Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that could encourage addictive use among children, that users were misled about safety and that children's personal data was improperly collected.

In a statement published on their website, Harry and Meghan welcomed the measures affecting young users but criticised Meta's decision to settle rather than continue the litigation.

The couple also questioned the absence of an apology from the company and said they supported parents, campaigners and legal professionals seeking stronger protections for children online.

Meta has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement. Under the settlement, Meta has agreed to introduce a range of measures affecting teenage users, including daily usage limits and restrictions on nighttime use.

The agreement also requires enhanced measures intended to identify younger users and prevent children from accessing certain content. The agreement resolves the claims without a court finding that the allegations against the company were proven.

Prince Harry's Reported 'Stay-At-Home Dad' Role

The discussion over the Sussexes' new life in Britain has also focused on Harry's role within the family. The Times published a report headlined around what Harry could do as a 'stay-at-home dad' in the Cotswolds, describing the possibility of him taking on a more home-centred role while Meghan pursues her own professional interests.

Moir subsequently used the description as another point of criticism in her commentary on the Sussexes. According to Moir, the phrase 'stay-at-home dad' is just another title for being jobless.

However, it should not be treated as an official title or as evidence that Harry is unemployed. Rather, it is a description used in media coverage of how the couple could divide family responsibilities during their time in Britain.