Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a rare public appearance on Friday, attending the South by Southwest Festival’s opening keynote event. On International Women’s Day, the Duchess of Sussex took the spotlight and addressed several urgent concerns. Among them, Meghan openly discussed her own terrible pregnancy experiences with Archie and Lilibet, drawing emphasis on the negative effects of online harassment.
Meghan Markle reflects on ‘cruel’ cyber bullying
“The bulk of the bullying and abuse that I was experiencing in social media and online was when I was pregnant — with Archie and with Lili — and with a newborn with each of them,” the Duchess of Sussex said on stage while being a part of the SXSW panel on Friday.
Meghan participated in a discussion about online trolling with Brooke Shields, Katie Couric, and author and sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen. The mother-of-two, dressed smartly in a cream suit, talked confidently as Harry watched proudly from the audience. The panel discussed a variety of topics, including “how the ubiquitous nature of social media is creating an often dangerous environment, which has led to serious mental health issues for teenage girls in particular.”.
Meghan Markle reveals her personal experience with online bullying
When questioned, ‘Social media has become a place where women and girls are scrutinized, objectified, and bullied, something I know you are all too acquainted with. How have you managed the seemingly infinite toxicity that comes at you?’ by moderator Errin Haines, the 42-year-old paused to gather the courage and took the mic in her hand to speak her heart out.
“Yes, social media is an environment that I think has a lot of that,” The Duchess of Sussex said. She continued, “You know, I think it’s really interesting as I can reflect on it, I keep my distance from it right now just for my own well-being, but the bulk of the bullying and abuse that I was experiencing on social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and Lili, and with a newborn with each of them.”
Meghan Markle’s pregnancy challenges
Meghan Markle, whom Prince Harry married in 2018, gave birth to Prince Archie in May 2019. At the time, the Duchess was still an active Royal Member. Two years later, Princess Lilibet arrived after the couple resigned from their royal duties and relocated to California for a fresh start.
During her pregnancy with Archie, Markle reportedly experienced “emotional distress” and mental health issues. In her well-publicized 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, she made some shocking revelations about feeling “unprotected” by the monarchy. The Suits alum also admitted to having suicidal thoughts, which he attributed to poor criticism in the BBC.