As part of the explosive and shocking revelations made public in her tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle has revealed she had suicidal thoughts while living inside the palace walls and that the institution denied her mental health support.
“I was ashamed to admit it at the time, and admit it to Harry because of how much loss he’s suffered, but I knew that I didn’t want to be alive anymore,” Markle told Oprah. “That was a very real, clear, constant thought. [Harry] just cradled me. I went to the institution and said I needed help, and I was told it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”
“I thought it would have solved everything for everyone, right?”, she continued.
“So were you thinking of harming yourself? Were you having suicidal thoughts?” Oprah asked.
“Yes, this was very clear. Very clear and very scary. I didn’t know who to turn to in that,” Markle responded.
Meghan Markle reveals she contemplated suicide #OprahMeghanHarry pic.twitter.com/2oIinTUIaI
— Chicks in the Office (@ChicksInTheOff) March 8, 2021
The situation draws comparisons to that of Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, who was bullied and shunned by both the Royal Family and the British media.
Markle says she repeatedly asked to go to a hospital to help her mental health but was denied. It was one of Princess Diana’s friends who instead came to her aid.
The decline in both Markle and the Prince’s mental health was just one of a slew of reasons which spurred the couple’s decision to step back from royal life. Speaking to James Corden last week, the Duke said, “It was a really difficult environment as I think a lot of people saw. We all know what the British press can be like. It was destroying my mental health.”
“So I did what any husband and what any father would do which is ‘I need to get my family out of here’ but we never walked away,” he continued.
Markle also detailed how members of the institution were concerned about how dark Archie’s skin may be before she gave birth to him. She has also talked about a time when the Duchess of Cambridge and sister-in-law Kate Middleton reduced her to tears.
If this story is in any way triggering, the American Foundation For Suicidal Prevention is here to help. Call 800 273 8255. Or text “Talk” to 741 741.
