The Duke of Sussex, 39, made the comments on the first day of his unofficial tour of Colombia, where he and Meghan Markle discussed the dangers of the internet – and by extension technology – on a school visit promoting digital responsibility.

“What happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets. People are acting on information that isn’t true,” the duke said.

“It comes down to all of us to be able to spot the true from the fake.

“In an ideal world, those with positions of influence would take more responsibility. We are no longer debating facts.

“For as long as people are allowed to spread lies, abuse, harass, then social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down.”

Harry, who has spoken candidly about the online abuse he and his wife have faced, concluded that “education and awareness” is the key to overcoming the problem.

This will undoubtedly be a meeting of huge significance for Harry, 39, who founded the games in 2014, as Colombia is the only Latin American country represented at Invictus.

The event celebrates the sporting abilities of wounded, sick or injured service people.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been welcomed to Colombia as they began their four-day tour of the South American nation.

Harry and Meghan were met in the capital Bogota on Thursday by Colombia’s vice-president Francia Marquez and her husband Rafael Yerney Pinillo.

They spent around half-an-hour at the vice-president’s residence, where they exchanged welcome gifts and were offered tea, coffee and traditional pandebono – Colombian cheese bread.

The Sussexes are being given a full security detail throughout their visit alongside Ms Marquez, who invited the couple to travel to Colombia for what has been dubbed a DIY royal tour.

An insider told the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English: “I don’t think people realise how much she has gone through behind the scenes and for how long, far longer than anyone actually appreciates.

“She’s an incredibly strong woman, but she really has been through the wars.

“Her treatment and recovery is still a priority and will be ongoing for some time to come.”

The princess announced her cancer diagnosis in March and made her first public appearance of the year at Trooping the Colour in June.

Prince Harry has been described as “hypocritical” for dubbing the UK too dangerous to visit but happily travelling to Nigeria and Colombia.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Royal Record podcast: “What is clearly emerging is that he believes Britain is dangerous.

“Now, that appears hypocritical when you look at, say, security in Nigeria, even if it was arranged by the defence minister.

“Or the security in Colombia, even if the vice president is arranging it, and the facts simply are that both countries are considered somewhat dangerous, certainly parts of them.”

A representative for the Sussexes confirmed that they will have full security on their current trip to Colombia. It is not known if this is privately funded or not.

Rebecca English told the Daily Mail: “Looking tanned and relaxed, the surprise video appearance by the Prince and Princess of Wales at the weekend to thank Britain’s Olympic heroes was the summer lift that all royal watchers needed.”

She then praised the bond displayed by the couple in the surprise video appearance, adding: “Few could fail to have been struck by just how happy William and Catherine looked after what one friend describes as the ‘toughest year of their lives together.”

Following the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s chief of staff has quit after just three months, it has been claimed that Josh Kettler “wasn’t comfortable” with aspects of the role.

A source told the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: “Josh soon realised that the job wasn’t for him. There were aspects of it that he wasn’t comfortable with. He thought it was better to leave now than to continue in a job that he did not enjoy.”

Kettler is one of at least 18 staff members who have given up working for the Sussexes since their wedding in 2018.

Márquez, the first black woman to ever occupy the position, said: “Their visit comes at a particularly significant time, as it precedes the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children [is] to be held in Colombia this November.

“The Archewell Foundation, founded by the Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment. The forthcoming conference will unveil a comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces, tackling issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats.

“It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world.

“During their visit, the Duke and Duchess, as well as The Archewell Foundation, will engage in several activities related to this important topic.”

An insider told Closer magazine: “Eventually, Meghan is going to want to write her memoir, Harry is going to want to update Spare, and they are going to want to sit down and promote themselves on TV.

“They will not shy away from answering questions about the royals… For now, they’re biding their time.”

This comes after Meghan said she had not “scratched the surface” when it comes to discussing her experience within The Firm in a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning.