Prince Harry and Meghan Markle take to the stage for powerful chat after receiving award

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have stepped out for a powerful panel discussion during World Mental Health Day while in New York City.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex headed to Spring Studios to partake in a discussion about the harsh realities of the digital age for young people, while also acknowledging the opportunities and challenges time spent online creates.

Their appearance comes just hours after they received the Project Healthy Minds' Humanitarians of the Year Award in recognition of their campaigns to make the online world a safer place for families and young people, through their work as co-founders of the Archewell Foundation.

READ MORE: Prince William breaks down in tears speaking to brave mum whose husband took own life

READ MORE: Meghan Markle takes rebrand to new heights as she's set to meet with politician

During today’s panel, Harry and Meghan explored how young people are imagining their futures in the midst of technological disruption, what advances in AI mean for their education and well-being, and how families and communities can foster healthy, supportive digital environments.

Meghan wore a more casual look than her sleek black suit at last night’s award ceremony, instead taking to the stage in a striped button-down shirt and sporting her signature slicked-back bun.

Last night, Harry and Meghan accepted the special honour at the non-profit organisation's World Mental Health Day Gala, with Harry saying on stage: "This wasn’t content created by a third party. These were the companies’ own chatbots working to advance their own depraved internal policies. But here’s what gives us hope: these families aren’t facing this alone."

Meghan also took the award as an opportunity to speak about the couple's young children and her concerns for their future. "Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming," she said to the crowd.

"Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology's benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers. That hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible."

Royal expert Pauline Maclaran, co-author of Royal Fever and professor at Royal Holloway, thinks the award is a good fit, that Harry and Meghan have earned the award, but there will most likely be some pushback from critics.

She said: "I think Harry and Meghan probably have earned this award. It seems they have been working fairly quietly in the background on projects that have not necessarily been heavily publicised."

In a statement to People when the award was announced, the Sussexes said: "Working with families and young people to prioritise safety online has been some of the most meaningful work of our lives.

"As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of their stories and are honoured to support them. We’re proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds as we work together to shine a light on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time."