Meghan Markle has spoken candidly about enduring years of online harassment, revealing that she was subjected to sustained abuse for a decade, during a public engagement in Australia alongside her husband, Prince Harry.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Australia on Tuesday, April 14, for a four-day visit, marking their return to the country nearly ten years after their previous trip as senior working members of the British royal family. Their latest tour includes engagements focused on youth empowerment, mental health, and the impact of digital platforms.
Speaking during a session with young people affiliated with Batyr, a mental health organisation dedicated to youth advocacy, Meghan detailed the emotional toll of persistent online criticism and trolling.
“For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked,” she said. “And I was the most trolled person in the entire world. Now, I’m still here.”
Her remarks highlighted the intensity of scrutiny she has faced since her relationship with Prince Harry became public, and particularly after their marriage and subsequent departure from royal duties. Meghan suggested that the structure of social media platforms contributes to the problem, arguing that engagement-driven systems often reward negative behaviour.
She criticised digital platforms for being “anchored in cruelty,” adding that there appears to be little incentive for companies to reform systems that benefit from high levels of user interaction, even when such engagement is driven by harmful content.
Her comments come amid ongoing global conversations about online safety, especially for public figures and young users, with increasing pressure on tech companies to implement stronger safeguards against cyberbullying and harassment.
Prince Harry, speaking at the same event, offered his own reflections on mental health, sharing a deeply personal account of the moment he realised he needed professional help. He described reaching a breaking point before deciding to seek therapy.
“I waited until I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor,” he said. “Until I was like, ok maybe this therapy thing – maybe I should try it.”
The Duke’s remarks underscored the importance of early intervention and open conversations around mental health, particularly for men, who often face societal pressure to suppress emotional struggles.
Harry also spoke about the long-term impact of grief following the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997 when he was just 12 years old. He described growing up under intense public scrutiny while coping with personal loss, noting that such experiences can have lasting psychological effects.
“Grief does not disappear because we ignore it,” he said, reflecting on how unresolved emotions can resurface later in life. He added that navigating grief in the public eye—“in a goldfish bowl under constant surveillance”—presented unique challenges.
Harry acknowledged that for many years he struggled to process his emotions, often appearing outwardly composed while dealing with internal turmoil. “There have been many times when I’ve felt overwhelmed,” he said. “Times when I’ve felt lost, betrayed, or completely powerless.”
He further explained that the pressure to maintain a composed public image often prevented him from addressing his mental health needs earlier. “Despite everything going on, I still had to show up pretending everything was ok, so as not to let anyone down,” he noted.
The Duke added that emotional numbness became a coping mechanism during those years, though he now recognises that it delayed his ability to properly confront and manage his experiences. Seeking therapy, he said, ultimately helped him develop the tools needed to better understand and navigate his mental health.
The couple’s joint appearance and openness about personal struggles were well received by attendees, particularly young people engaged in mental health advocacy. Their visit is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about emotional wellbeing and the impact of digital environments on mental health.
Observers note that both Meghan and Harry have increasingly used public platforms to discuss issues such as online toxicity, grief, and psychological resilience, drawing from their own experiences to advocate for change.
Their Australia visit continues over the coming days, with additional engagements expected to focus on youth outreach and community-based mental health initiatives.
