Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has claimed she faced “cruel” online bullying and abuse during her pregnancies.
Taking the stage at the South by Southwest festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, on Friday, Meghan shared her experiences, stating: “I keep my distance from (social media) right now just for my own wellbeing.”
Reflecting on the time, Meghan said: “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.”
“It’s not catty. It’s cruel,” she added, urging listeners to contemplate the motivations behind such hateful behavior.
Meghan’s revelations come against the backdrop of her motherhood journey, which began with the birth of her first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on May 6, 2019, followed by the arrival of daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor on June 4, 2021.
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Meghan Markle’s ordeal has sparked a conversation on broader concerns about online abuse, especially within the Royal Family’s sphere.
In March 2019, following instances of online vitriol directed at Meghan and Kate, Princess of Wales, the Royal Family urged social media users to exhibit “courtesy, kindness and respect” in their interactions.
Amid mounting cases of sexist and racist comments, Kensington Palace sought assistance from social media platforms to address the surge in abuse, prompting palace staff to intensify efforts in monitoring and purging offensive content.
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“In the digital space and in certain sectors of the media, we have forgotten about our humanity. And that has got to change,” Meghan asserted.
“Because I understand there’s a bottom line, and I understand that a lot of money is being made there. But even if it’s making dollars, it doesn’t make sense.”
Meghan and Prince Harry made the decision to step back from the Royal Family in 2020, eventually relocating to California with Archie.
