*T/W: The article contains a description of suicidal ideation and may be triggering for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
The media has always been fascinated with the British royal family, now as much a brand as they are a functioning monarchy. Local media in the UK has been resilient in their coverage of the royals, finding a bone to pick with anything and everything that the members of the royal family do. Unlike in Thailand, where it is illegal to speak ill of the royal family, it’s almost a free-for-all, so much so that biased and unfair coverage of the individuals – every single one of whom are real people, with real emotions – that make up the royal family often goes unchecked. And while you’d have thought that an invaluable lesson was learned when the world tragically lost Princess Diana, that wasn’t the case. History repeated itself when Meghan Markle became a member of the royal family, only this time, Meghan Markle had the support of her husband Prince Harry. Prince Harry himself says that the main reason they decided to step back was because his ” biggest concern was history repeating itself.”
Even more reason for the 36-year-old to be concerned? The fact that his wife had contemplated suicide. In their exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, the world is now privy to the shocking revelation that royal life and media scrutiny almost cost the world another bright light in the form of mother, actress, and Dutchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. Markle admitted that she struggled with her mental health when asked about the toll of the often racist treatment that Markle faced at the hands of the media:
“I just didn’t see a solution. I would sit up at night … It was all happening just because I was breathing,”
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At the time, Markle was pregnant with the royal couples first child and was often the subject of ridiculous headlines. Buzzfeed has done an amazing job compiling some of these headlines (just 20 of many, many, more, really) by showing how the media portrayed Markle in comparison to Catherine ‘Kate’ Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, for the same issues:
This, amongst other horrid headlines, led to the deterioration of her mental health. Markle’s suicidal thoughts stemmed from the fact that she believed ending her life would “solve everything for everyone.” In the beginning, she was unable to reach out to Harry as she shared:
“I was really ashamed to have to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially because I know how much loss he’s suffered. But I knew that if I didn’t say that I would do it… and I just didn’t ― I just didn’t want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.”
Markle did try to seek help – but was cruelly turned down.
“I went to one of the most senior people to get help. I share this because there are so many people who…are afraid to voice that they need help, and I know personally how hard it is to not just voice it, but when you voice it to be told no,”Â
She elaborated:
“I said that I’ve never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution,”Â
Meanwhile, the palace’s Human Resources department said:
“They said, ‘My heart goes out to you because I see how bad it is, but there’s nothing we can do to protect you because you’re not a paid employee of the institution,'”
Eventually, Markle did tell her husband about her suicidal ideation, who then said he was at a loss for what to do to help her, despite wanting to be there for her.
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Earlier on in 2019, Prince Harry had issued a rare statement regarding the press’ treatment of Markle, admonishing them for their treatment of her:
“There comes a point when the only thing to do is to stand up to this behaviour, because it destroys people and destroys lives. Put simply, it is bullying, which scares and silences people. We all know this isn’t acceptable, at any level. We won’t and can’t believe in a world where there is no accountability for this.”
The pair went on to say that it was their decision to step away from the royal family that has saved Markle’s life. Prince Harry expressed his relief and happiness at being able to talk to Oprah with Markle by his side, having had to imagine how difficult it must have been for his late mother to have been alone through her own process of leaving the royal family. Markle, meanwhile, decided to share this personal story so that “people in the takeaway from this is to know that there’s another side” and that “life is worth living.” We’re sending nothing but love , light and goodness to the pair!
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