Meghan Markle opens up about suicidal thoughts during her time in the royal family

Meghan Markle has said she would “never want anyone to be disbelieved” when addressing suicidal thoughts she experienced during her time in the royal family.

The Duchess of Sussex appeared in CBS News Sunday Morning on August 4 with her husband, Prince Harry, to talk about her new project, The Parents Networkwhich will support parents of children affected by online bullying.

During the interview, journalist Jane Pauley asked Meghan about her experiences with suicidal thoughts, which she first addressed publicly with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. In response, Meghan said that while she “didn't expect” Pauley to bring up the topic, she still “understood why.” The duchess added that she wants to continue to speak openly about her mental health.

“When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I think part of our healing process, and certainly part of mine, is being able to talk openly about it. And I haven’t talked in detail about my experience yet, but I don’t think I would ever want anyone else to feel that way,” she said.

“And I would never want anyone else to make those kinds of plans. And I would never want anyone to not be believed. If me expressing what I’ve overcome can save someone, or encourage someone in their life to really care about them and not assume that appearance is good and everything is fine, then it’s worth it. I’ll take the hit for that.”

During Meghan and Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah, she tearfully spoke of her mental health struggles during her time in the royal family. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said.

When asked explicitly about suicide and self-harm, he replied: “That was a constant thought, very clear and real and terrifying. And I remember how he [Harry] “He just cradled me.”

She continued: “I went to the institution and told them I needed to go somewhere to get help. I told them I had never felt that way before and that I needed to go somewhere. And they told me I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”

In his 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry and MeghanThe Duke of Sussex has spoken openly about his wife's mental health. Harry recalled how “devastated” he felt when he learned she was struggling with suicidal thoughts.

“I knew she was going through a difficult time. We were both going through a difficult time, but I never thought it would get to that point. And the fact that it got to that point made me feel angry and ashamed. I didn’t handle it particularly well,” Harry said. “I handled it as ‘institutional Harry’ rather than as ‘husband Harry.’ And what took over my feelings was my actual role.”

open image in gallery

The duke said his response was due to a lifetime of worrying about “what people will think”.

And he continued: “Now that I think about it, I hate myself for it. What she needed from me was much more than I could give her.”

She also criticised her family's response to Meghan's mental health issues, saying they “knew how bad it was” and yet questioned why she couldn't “just deal with it”.

During the couple's appearance on CBS, they explained that they want their new project to raise awareness about the dangers of online bullying because they themselves are parents of two young children, Archie and Lilibet.

“Our kids are young, three and five years old. They are amazing. But all we want to do as parents is protect them,” Meghan said. “And as we can see what is happening in the online space, we know there is a lot of work to be done there, and we are happy to be able to be a part of making a change for good.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, confidentially, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected] or visit the Samaritans website. Samaritans Website to find details of the nearest branch.

If you are in the U.S. and you or someone you know needs mental health support right now, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.