Meghan Markle makes heartbreaking 'bullied' confession on Australia trip
The Duchess of Sussex candidly opened up about her own experiences with social mediaMeghan Markle has made a sad admission about dealing with social media trolling as she continues her tour in Australia.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been in Australia this week for a series of visits and engagements. Their office recently said the four-day visit would “focus on mental health, community resilience, and support for veterans and their families, alongside private meetings and special projects”.
On Thursday, Harry and Meghan visited Batyr. It’s a mental health organisation which empowers young people to talk openly about mental health and take charge of their wellbeing.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit mental health organisation in Australia
On Thursday, the organisation brought together young people from regional and rural communities to lead a national conversation on youth mental health.
The event took place at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.
I was the most trolled person in the entire world.
According to Batyr‘s website, the two-day, in-person workshop, titled Regional & Rural Youth Voices: Shaping the Future of Mental Health, brought young people from across Australia together to share their experiences and to connect with each other.
Harry and Meghan joined the conversation. During the discussion, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about her own experiences.
Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your royal news
Speaking with young people associated with the group, Meghan said that “every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked”.
‘I was the most trolled person in the entire world’
Meghan said that social media companies were “not incentivized to stop”.
The duchess said: “For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world. Now, I’m still here.
“And when I think of all of you and what you’re experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realise that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks, that’s not going to change. So you have to be stronger than that.”
Prince Harry also praised Australia’s decision to ban social media for under-16s. The move happened in December last year.
The duke said he believes the ban is “epic” from a “responsibility and leadership standpoint”.
He said that “so many countries have now followed suit,” but it “should have never, ever got to a ban”.
Harry opens up about royal upbringing
Elsewhere on Thursday, Prince Harry gave a speech at the InterEdge Summit at Melbourne Park.
The duke spoke about the moment he realised he didn’t want the job he was born to do within the royal family.
He said during the speech: “After my mum died just before my 13th birthday, I was like: ‘I don’t want this job. I don’t want this role, wherever this is headed, I don’t like it.’
“It killed my mum, and I was very much against it. I stuck my head in the sand for years and years.
“Eventually I realised, well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world?
“And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective.”
What do you think of both Harry and Meghan’s comments? Let us know by commenting on our Royal Insider Facebook page.
