Three years after shaking the foundations of the British monarchy with a candid interview discussing suicide, racism, and despair, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have once again taken to television.
The Darkest Days in Buckingham Palace
This past Sunday, coinciding with the Duchess's 43rd birthday, the couple appeared on CBS’s "Sunday Morning" to unveil their latest philanthropic effort: a campaign aimed at protecting children from the perils of the digital world and preventing suicide, according to El Economista.
Reflecting on her darkest days in Buckingham Palace, Meghan emphasized that "talking about suicidal thoughts" was a crucial part of her healing journey.
Channeling their experiences into their new initiative with the Archewell Foundation and The Parents Network, Meghan shared:
"I believe that when you've gone through any level of pain or trauma, part of our healing journey, certainly part of mine, is being able to be really open about it." She added, "I've barely scratched the surface of my experience, but I never want anyone else to feel that way or make those kinds of plans."
The Duchess of Sussex first revealed her suicidal thoughts in a groundbreaking 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. She confessed, "I was very ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to admit it to Harry, especially knowing how much loss he has suffered. But I knew if I didn't say it, I would do it, and I just didn't want to be alive anymore."
Parents Face Modern Challenges
During the pre-recorded interview, Harry and Meghan met with parents who had lost their children to suicide, offering support and sharing their fears as parents of young children.
"Our kids are three and five years old, they’re incredible, but the only thing we want to do as parents is protect them," Meghan expressed.
She highlighted the modern challenges parents face, noting, "In the old days, if kids were under your roof, you knew what they were doing. But now, in the next room, on a tablet or phone, they could fall down these rabbit holes and within 24 hours be taking their own lives."
Meghan stressed the importance of taking initial steps in this fight, saying, "You have to start somewhere. Anyone watching or capable of making a change must look through the lens of 'What if this were my child?'" She urged, "If you look at it as a parent, there’s no other way to see it but to try and find a solution."
The Sussexes concluded their appearance with a heartfelt offer: "To anyone with a child affected by social media harms, we are here to support you. Our safe and supportive community is available to all parents and caregivers navigating the complex digital world."
