Austin, Texas – Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, revealed her experience with online bullying and abuse, particularly during her pregnancies with Archie and Lili. Speaking at the South by Southwest festival, she emphasized the need to distance herself from social media for her own well-being amidst the cruelty she faced.
Meghan gave birth to Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in May 2019 and welcomed Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor in June 2021 with her husband, Prince Harry. The British royal family addressed online abuse directed at Meghan and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, urging social media users to show kindness and respect.
In response to the surge in online abuse, Kensington Palace sought help from social media platforms to combat sexist and racist comments targeting the duchesses. Palace staff increased efforts to filter and delete abusive comments, as well as block harmful accounts on Twitter and Instagram.
Meghan highlighted the importance of restoring humanity in the digital space and media sectors, calling for a change in the narrative that prioritizes profit over empathy. The couple relocated to California in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties, citing press intrusion in the UK and US as a major factor influencing their decision.
Taking legal action to protect their privacy, Meghan and Harry filed a lawsuit in California over invasive paparazzi photographs of their son, Archie. Their advocacy for respectful and compassionate online interactions continues to shape their public image and stance on media ethics.