Prince Harry and Meghan become Greta Thunberg followers on Instagram

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have followed Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Instagram as part of efforts to raise awareness of environmental campaigners.

Harry and Meghan set up the @SussexRoyal account in April and said it would be used to share the work that drives them, and important announcements.

The couple have previously drawn attention to mental health campaigns and have now followed 15 accounts involved with the environment, including Ms Thunberg who started the school strike for climate campaign.

Greta Thunberg is one of 15 accounts involved with the environment now followed by the royal couple. Credit: PA

In the post, the Duke of Sussex appeared to question whether environmental damage had to be treated as a “necessary by-product” of economic growth.

He said: “So deeply ingrained is this thinking that it has been considered part of the natural order that humankind’s development comes at the expense of our planet.

“Only now are we starting to notice and understand the damage that we’ve been causing.

“With nearly 7.7 billion people inhabiting this Earth, every choice, every footprint, every action makes a difference.”

Other accounts followed by the @SussexRoyal account this month include the WWF, Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, Rhino Conservation Botswana and Elephants Without Borders.