Meghan Markle has said she was “the most trolled person in the world” during her time as a working royal, as she and Prince Harry spoke about the pressures of royal life during engagements in Melbourne.
The duke also reflected on his early struggles with royal expectations following the death of his mother, Princess Diana.
Speaking at a session involving young people and mental health organisations, Meghan Markle said she had experienced years of online harassment.
She said that “every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked," adding that at one point she was “the most trolled person in the entire world."
The duchess linked her experience to wider concerns about social media and its impact on mental wellbeing, particularly among younger users. According to CNN, the remarks were made during discussions on digital behaviour and emotional resilience, in which she emphasised the need for awareness of online environments.
At a separate engagement, Prince Harry spoke about his reaction to royal life following the death of Princess Diana.
Addressing the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, he said he did not want to continue with royal responsibilities after losing his mother at the age of 12.
He said he distanced himself from the role for a period before later reconsidering how he could use his position to support causes, including mental health and veterans’ issues. CNN reports that the duke has frequently linked his personal experiences to his advocacy work in these areas.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020.
Since then, they have undertaken independent projects spanning media, philanthropy and advocacy, with a continued focus on mental health and social issues.
They have previously spoken publicly about their experiences within the royal institution, including media scrutiny and personal challenges.
