Duchess of Sussex reveals ‘bullying and abuse’ on social media while pregnant

The Duchess of Sussex has criticised the “seemingly endless toxicity” of social media after revealing she was targeted with “hateful” abuse while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet.

Meghan Markle was the keynote speaker on a panel marking International Women’s Day at the annual SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

Prince Harry watched on from the front row as she said people have “forgotten our humanity” in certain parts of the media and digital sphere.”

“The bulk of the bullying and abuse that I was experiencing on social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili”, she explained.

“You just think about that and really wrap your head around why people would be so hateful – it is not catty, it is cruel.”

The event was called Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On And Off The Screen.

The 42-year-old former Suits actress said she found it disturbing that women were “spewing” hatred at each other online, adding: “I cannot make sense of that. If you’re reading something terrible about a woman, why are you sharing it with your friends?

“Why are you choosing to put it out in the world, what if it was your friend, or your mum or your daughter, you wouldn’t do it.

“I think that is the piece that is so lost right now [with] what is happening in the digital space and in certain sections of the media – we have forgotten about our humanity and that has got to change.”

Meghan also re-shared how a letter she sent aged 11 to consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble led to a sexist advert promoting dishwashing liquid being changed.

Meghan said that experience showed her the power of speaking up and advocacy. “Your voice is not small, it just needs to be heard,” she told a live audience.

During the session, Meghan also emphasised that “representation matters”.

“The key thing that I think needs to be focused on in terms of equity is it’s not a zero-sum game, just because someone else has the same advantage that you do doesn’t mean that you’re losing anything, and actually create an environment that is so inclusive, where people feel as if they have a seat at the table – as they should,” she said.