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During their latest joint interview, Meghan Markle had Prince Harry by her side as they addressed a personal question. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared on CBS Sunday Morning on August 4, Meghan's 43rd birthday, to discuss The Parents Network, an initiative supporting families affected by online harm. During the interview, anchor Jane Pauley asked Meghan about her decision to share her past thoughts of suicide, which she had previously disclosed in a March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she revealed she "just didn't want to be alive anymore."
Pauley noted Meghan's gesture of placing her hand on Harry's knee, commenting, "I see you touching your husband's hand, showing you're looking out for each other." She then acknowledged Meghan's discomfort with the topic. Meghan responded, "I understand why you're asking. It wasn't expected, but there's a connection here."
Meghan elaborated, "When you've experienced pain or trauma, part of the healing journey—at least for me—is being open about it. I barely scratched the surface of my experience, but I don't want anyone else to feel that way or go through similar plans. If sharing my story can save someone or encourage others to check in on their loved ones, then it's worth it."
She has spoken about the "bullying and abuse" she faced online, particularly when she was pregnant with Prince Archie, now 5, and Princess Lilibet, now 3. At the SXSW Conference earlier this year, Meghan expressed disbelief at the cruelty, especially during such a "tender and sacred time."
The CBS Sunday Morning segment showed Meghan and Harry, 39, warmly interacting with families from The Parents Network. Pauley narrated that the meeting felt like an exclusive club, one no one wanted to join, as many parents had lost children due to social media's impact. The Parents Network and its "No Child Lost to Social Media" campaign, part of their Archewell Foundation, aim to support parents dealing with grief and children facing mental health challenges due to online exposure.
James Holt, Executive Director of The Archewell Foundation, highlighted the need for community among those affected by social media's repercussions. Meghan emphasized their commitment to protecting their children, saying, "All you want to do as parents is protect them."
Harry added, "Every parent needs to be a first responder now. Even the best can't always see the signs of possible suicide, which is terrifying." Meghan urged everyone to consider, "What if it was my daughter? What if it was my son?" and to seek solutions with that perspective.
