Meghan Markle and Prince Harry recently gave their first joint interview since 2021 to support their latest project.
In the interview, Meghan talked about her decision to speak openly about her personal battle with suicidal thoughts, which is a very personal and important part of her advocacy work.
On Sunday, Meghan and Harry spoke with CBS Sunday Morning’s host, Jane Pauley, about their new initiative focused on raising awareness about the dangers of social media for children.
During the conversation, the couple highlighted their work with parents who have tragically lost their children due to online bullying.
Meghan also reflected on her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she first talked publicly about her mental health struggles, and emphasized the importance of being open about these experiences.
Meghan said, “When you’ve gone through pain or trauma, there’s a common thread. I believe that part of healing, at least for me, is being open about it. I haven’t even shared the full extent of my experience, but I don’t want anyone else to feel that way, to make those kinds of plans, or to not be believed.”
In her interview with Oprah, Meghan, who was pregnant with Princess Lilibet at the time, shared a painful memory. She said she reached out to the royal institution for help, telling them, “I’ve never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere.” But she was told she couldn’t get help because it wouldn’t look good for the institution.
In the CBS interview, Meghan explained why sharing her story is important, even if it’s uncomfortable. She said, “If talking about what I’ve been through can save someone or encourage others to check in on people and not just assume everything is okay based on appearances, then it’s worth it. I’m willing to take the criticism for that.”
Harry and Meghan’s new project, The Parents’ Network, is part of their Archewell Foundation. It aims to raise awareness about the dangers social media can pose to children and teens. For them, this program is an important step toward creating real change.
Meghan said, “You have to start somewhere. The easiest way for anyone watching or anyone who can make a change is to think, what if it was my son or daughter? Imagine your child, who’s happy and full of life, and then suddenly, everything changes because of something completely out of your control. As a parent, there’s no other way to look at it—you have to try and find a solution.”
Since getting married in May 2018, Harry and Meghan have become parents to Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. In the interview, they talked about their “amazing” kids and how being parents influences their work.
“Our kids are 3 and 5, and they’re amazing,” Meghan said. “All you want to do as a parent is protect them. Seeing what’s happening online, we know there’s a lot of work to be done, and we’re happy to be part of making a positive change.”
Harry agreed, saying that in today’s world, almost every parent needs to act like a first responder. “Even the best first responders wouldn’t always be able to spot the signs of possible suicide, and that’s the scary part,” he said.
Through their work with The Parents’ Network and other projects, Harry and Meghan continue to advocate for safer online spaces, inspired by their personal experiences and their commitment to their children’s future.