“I don’t want anyone else to feel that way”

Three years after they shook the foundations of the British monarchy with an interview in which they spoke of suicide, racism and despair, Harry of England y Meghan Markle have sat together again in front of the television cameras. It was this Sunday, coinciding with the 43rd birthday of the Duchess, in Sunday Morninga CBS program in which they have presented their new solidarity initiative: a campaign to protect minors from 2.0 dangers and suicide.

Prince Harry’s wife has recalled her worst moments at Buckingham Palace and has assured that “talking about suicidal thoughts” was part of her healing. Involved in this new charity action of the Archewell Foundation with the organization The Parents Network, she says: “I think when you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I think part of our healing journey, certainly part of mine, is to be able to be really open about it.” And she added: “I haven’t really touched the surface of my experience, but I don’t think I would ever want anyone else to feel that way and I would never want anyone else to make those kinds of plans.” So things being as they are, she assures: “If expressing what I’ve overcome will save someone or encourage someone in their life to control it and not assume that appearance is good and everything is fine, then it’s worth it.”

It was in 2021 when the Duchess of Sussex confessed to Oprah Winfrey in her first interview after Megxit that she had wanted to take her own life: “I was very embarrassed to say it at the time and I was embarrassed to have to admit it especially to Harry, because I know how much loss he suffered. But I knew that if I didn’t say it, I would do it, and I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said.

About Archie and Lilibet

In this pre-recorded interview, Harry and Meghan met with a group of parents who have lost children to suicide. They spoke to them and offered their support from their charity and spoke of their own fears as parents: “Our children are young, they’re three and five, they’re amazing, but all we want to do as parents is protect them,” said the Duchess. “In the old days, if there were children under your roof you knew what they were doing. At least they were safe. But now, in the next room, on a tablet or a phone, they could go down these rabbit holes and within 24 hours they could be taking their own lives.”

Meghan told host Jane Pauley that every step in this fight is important: “You have to start somewhere. Anyone watching this or anyone who is capable of making a change has to look at it through the lens of, ‘What if this was my son or daughter? ‘” She added: “Your son or daughter coming home happy and one day, right under my roof, our whole life is changed by something that is completely out of my control. And if you look at it as a parent, there’s no way to look at it any other way than to try to find a solution.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ended their remarks with a heartfelt offer: “For anyone who has a child affected by the harms of social media, we are here to support you. Our safe and supportive community is available to all parents and carers navigating the complex digital world.”