During a surprising appearance at the 2025 Nexus Global Summit in New York, Prince Harry openly addressed the rampant online hate directed towards his wife, Meghan Markle. He remarked, “One of the reasons why the digital world was so vital to us is because my wife, in 2018, became the most trolled person on the planet.” The Duke of Sussex emphasized the importance of combating social isolation online to foster “a better future for 2025 and beyond.” This heartfelt statement underscores their commitment to addressing the negative impacts of digital platforms.
Harry further elaborated, stating, “There was a lived experience,” reflecting on the harsh realities of online abuse as reported by the Daily Mail.
At 40 years old, Harry explained that it became “crucial” for him and Markle, aged 43, to focus their efforts on the digital landscape through the initiatives of the Archewell Foundation. This shift in focus occurred after they encountered numerous parents who tragically lost their children to the detrimental effects of social media, with many of these losses attributed to suicide. The gravity of these conversations reshaped their understanding of the digital realm’s influence on mental health and social connections.
“That’s when it really started to resonate with us,” he noted, illustrating their newfound dedication to raising awareness about these critical issues.
The author of “Spare” also shared insights on how people’s compassion tends to diminish as their own lives become more challenging, highlighting the need for greater empathy in today’s world.
Meghan’s journey into public scrutiny began when she became engaged to Harry in November 2017, followed by their wedding in May 2018. The intense media spotlight significantly affected her mental health, leading to a turbulent experience.
During her candid interview with Oprah Winfrey, the former “Suits” actress revealed the depths of her despair, recalling moments when she considered suicide after being bombarded with negative headlines about herself. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she confessed, illustrating the severe toll that public perception and media scrutiny can take on an individual’s mental well-being.
“I would stay up at night, and I was just like, ‘I don’t understand how all of this is being churned out,’” Markle recalled, expressing her bewilderment at the relentless negative narratives surrounding her. The Duchess of Sussex and Harry made the decision to step back from their royal responsibilities in 2020, a choice prompted by ongoing conflicts with various members of the royal family.
Following this transition, they relocated to Montecito, California, where they now reside with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, aiming to create a nurturing environment away from the pressures of royal life.
Later, Markle conveyed that she hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of her experiences with bullying during an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” in August. In October, she further delved into her struggles, stating that she felt like “one of the most bullied people on the planet.” This perspective was echoed by Larissa May, founder of #HalfTheStory, who discussed the mental health implications of online harassment with Vanity Fair.
However, sources informed The Post that Markle’s comments were more about her personal experiences with online bullying rather than a claim to be the “most bullied person on the planet,” emphasizing the nuances of her narrative.
