Not long before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their plans to step down from their official roles within the Royal Family, the pair participated in an ITV documentary showcasing their royal tour of Africa. The Duchess of Sussex made headlines for candidly discussing the scrutiny she faced as a new member of the Royal Family.
"Any woman, especially when they’re pregnant, you’re really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging," Meghan said of her experience with the British tabloid press. "And then when you have a newborn, you know. And especially as a woman...it’s a lot. So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed. Also thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I’m okay, but it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes."
Interviewer Tom Bradby then asked Meghan if it was fair to say that she was "not really OK," the Duchess replied, "yes." The conversation was shared on Twitter and quickly went viral.
While many people praised Meghan for her willingness to speak up about the realities of life as a royal, Prince William was reportedly upset by the comments. "William was also deeply hurt by suggestions from the Sussex camp that he, and particularly his wife [Kate Middleton], had cold-shouldered Meghan," royal expert Rebecca English told the Daily Mail. "In fact, I have been told that Kate—and the Countess of Wessex—both repeatedly 'reached out' to the Duchess, particularly after she voiced her unhappiness on a television documentary. But they were rebuffed."
It seems some time and distance has helped the Sussex and Cambridge families mend their rift. Harry and Meghan reportedly sent their niece and nephews, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis, Christmas presents with personalized messages last month.
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