Most people know Meghan Markle as Prince Harry’s wife, the Duchess of Sussex, but what you might not know about her is that she is also a feminist, a former actress, and a fashion icon. The impact of her accomplishments has inspired women everywhere to embrace and encourage one another. Meghan Markle has also made history by becoming the first American and mixed-race woman to marry into the British royal family. However, despite her incredible strength and perseverance, her life with the family has been anything but a fairy tale. Recently, in an interview with Oprah, Markle has expressed her struggles about her experience of being part of the royal family.
A Brief Background On Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle was born on August 4, 1981 and grew up in Los Angeles, California. She became exposed to the world of acting at an early age. Her father worked as a director for the television series, “Married…with Children.” Markle attended Northwestern University and graduated with a double major in theater and international studies in 2003.
After her time in school, she had trouble kickstarting her acting career due to her ethnicity. She worked some odd jobs as a freelance calligrapher and a bookbinding instructor along the way.
She had many minor acting jobs, including a small role as a nurse in “General Hospital” and appearing in the game show “Deal or No Deal.” Her most notable work was her role in the cast of “Suits.” Ever since her engagement to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, she has retired from her acting career.
In 2014, Markle launched a lifestyle blog called The Tig. The blog was a way for her to connect with women by sharing her interests and important topics. It often featured influential women. The blog has been shut down ever since her involvement with Harry.
Markle is now married to Prince Harry. The couple have a son named Archie and another child on the way. The family currently resides in California.
Meghan Markle And The British Media
Meghan Markle has experienced a large amount of criticism and hostility from some of the major tabloids in the U.K, particularly from the Daily Mail. A large majority of the British media tend to portray her in a negative light, often spreading false stories. The bullying has become so excessive that Markle has tried to fight back on multiple occasions. In 2019, she took the Daily Mail to court for violating her privacy. The court ruled that the newspaper must pay almost a million dollars worth of Markle’s legal expenses.
In addition, Buckingham Palace has often sided against Markle. They regularly investigate accusations against her, but never the other way around. The lack of support from the palace combined with the pressures from the media has understandably taken a toll on Markle’s mental health.
Because of her efforts to stand up for herself, the media has found her to be troublesome. They continue to tarnish her reputation by depicting her as someone who is difficult and conniving. The media’s toxicity has caused Meghan and Harry to step back from the royal family and give up their titles. The media’s response to this has been to ridicule Markle. The event became dubbed as “Megxit,” a word play on Meghan’s exit from the royal family. It implies that Markle is the one who influenced the decision for the couple.
What Happened During The Oprah Interview?
On March 7, in a two-hour long interview with Oprah Winfrey, the royal couple revealed shocking information regarding race and mental health. Markle claimed that while she was pregnant with her son Archie, there were discussions among the family about how dark the skin color of the baby might be. Her child would also be denied a royal title and security.
“…in the months when I was pregnant…we have in tandem the conversation of he won’t be given security, he’s not going to be given a title, and also concerns and conversations about about how dark his skin might be when he’s born”
Meghan Markle
Markle also confessed to having suicidal thoughts during her pregnancy with Archie. Due to the abuse and criticism from the public, she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore.” When she tried to seek help for her mental health, the palace told her they were unable to help because she was not a paid employee. Most shocking of all, she was told that it would look bad for the institution.
To read about ways to improve your mental health, check out: Mental Health Tips That Will Change Your Life.
It was also revealed that Meghan and Harry were cut off financially after stepping back as working royals. Harry’s father had also stopped taking his phone calls. Harry claimed that they were only able to make the move to California, where they currently reside, because of the inheritance money left to him by his late mother, Princess Diana. The couple is now earning income through business deals with Spotify and Netflix.
Reactions To The Interview
Many people in the UK, including Prince Charles and Prince William, were upset by the interview. Both princes felt that these matters should have been discussed privately rather than tearing the family down on television. In the UK, the majority of people have sided with the royal family. Sympathies lie with Harry and Meghan in the US.
The most notable response to the interview was from Piers Morgan, a broadcaster, journalist, and TV personality. On the talk show Good Morning Britain, he blatantly stated that he did not believe Markle was struggling with her mental health, calling her a liar and attention seeker. Morgan has had a long history of criticizing Markle ever since she “ghosted” him. It hasn’t always been that way though. When Harry and Meghan first announced their engagement, Morgan was in full support of them. After he failed to receive a wedding invitation, his comments began to grow harsher, fully evolving into heavily biased insults. Morgan’s repeated criticism of Markle finally caused his co-anchor on the show, Alex Beresford, to chastise his behavior.
“I understand you don’t like Meghan Markle, you’ve made it clear a number of times on this program, a number of times…Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has, and yet you continue to trash her.”
Alex Beresford
Morgan, unable to take criticism himself, walked off the set. Later, his departure from the show was announced.
Parallels Between Meghan Markle And Princess Diana
People who have been following the royal stories have noticed some eerie similarities between Markle and Princess Diana. After Markle’s interview with Oprah, this has become even more apparent. Twenty-six years ago, Diana sat in her London home, having an almost identical interview. Both women experienced negative media attention, violation of their privacy, and mental health struggles. They were also both told they would receive protection against the tabloids, which turned out to be false. The lack of support from the palace does not stop there. Diana spoke candidly about her depression and eating disorder. She explained how the royal family simply did not have the knowledge that was necessary to help her. Markle also voiced her experience with depression and the palace’s unwillingness to assist her when she tried to seek treatment.
It is startling to see just how many parallels there are between the two women, since these events are over two decades apart. In the interview with Oprah, Harry himself acknowledges the resemblance between his mother’s and his wife’s situations, bringing up his concerns about “history repeating itself.” What makes these parallels even more unusual is that the two women come from very different backgrounds, and each entered the royal family at different points in their lives. Meghan and Harry married in their 30s, while Diana was engaged to Charles at the age of 19. Markle is a mixed-race American; Diana was of British noble descent. It’s 2021; it seems like society should be more progressive, more enlightened, and more open-minded, but in comparing these two women from two separate generations, it is evident that there is still some work to be done.
How Does Meghan Markle Empower Women?
Before Markle became a part of the royal family, her influence on the world and on women was already widespread. Markle is a strong advocate for women’s rights and empowers women in so many different ways. She inspires women to stand up for themselves, to support one another, and to work toward dismantling the stereotypes surrounding women.
Even as a child, Markle already worked to fight against the patriarchy and gender inequality. At the age of 11, she wrote to Procter & Gamble about their advertisement on dishwashing soap. The ad was based off of the stereotype that only women should be cleaning the household. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. The company eventually changed their ad to make it more gender-neutral. Markle proves that no matter what your age is, you are able to make a difference.
Markle’s first speech as the Duchess of Sussex was at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji. She spoke about the importance of receiving a higher education, especially for women and girls. While speaking to the students, she revealed that she actually put herself through college. The speech detailed her inspiring journey of applying for scholarships, financial aid programs, and work-study to pay for her tuition.
Men’s education, particularly in developing countries, are prioritized over women’s. Markle states that everyone should have the opportunity to receive an education and to grow and prosper from it. Women and girls have the same hopes and academic potential as males. If given the opportunity, women can build a better future for themselves and their families. Markle announced that the university will be provided grants. The grants would help female faculty members to encourage other women to pursue higher education. Markle’s passion toward women’s rights and education teaches young girls to appreciate their education and to value it.
Markle has also completed a substantial amount of charity work with organizations such as the Children’s HIV Association, Myna Mahila Foundation, The Wilderness Foundation UK, among others. One of her most noteworthy charitable activities is her creation of a clothing line with Smart Works, a British charity. The project aims to help underprivileged, unemployed women who are unable to afford professional, office-appropriate clothing. For every piece that sells, one item becomes donated. The line includes five pieces of business wear: a blazer, a tote bag, a shift dress, a white button-down shirt, and a pair of trousers. Markle’s choice to provide affordable clothing for unemployed women shows her dedication toward supporting women’s independence and presence in the workforce. She is simultaneously helping her fans become more stylish and bettering the lives of women.
Markle has become well-known not only for her exquisite taste in fashion, but also for defying royal dress codes. For example, women are required to wear tights or pantyhose even in hot weather. Of course, Markle has broken the pantyhose policy. Additionally, royal women typically wear dresses and skirts to formal events, but Markle has donned chic, sleek pant suits instead on several occasions. In doing so, she is pushing against the patriarchal values that the dress protocols are based off of. These types of traditional, outdated rules about clothing exist to police women’s bodies and work to censor women, whether that was their original intention or not. In today’s world, these nitpicky rules won’t fly, as seen with Markle’s style. She fearlessly flaunts her outfits, even if they don’t follow the rules, while the rest of the royals tend to keep a lower profile.
On top of challenging royal procedures, she also uses her influence to promote female designers. For her wedding dress, Markle opted against wearing a traditional British designer in favor of a Givenchy dress designed by Clare Waight Keller. Markle’s dress was not the only part of her wedding organized by a woman. She specifically hired women to assemble the flower arrangements and wedding cake as well. There is no doubt that Markle’s not-so-traditional approach to her wardrobe might be met with bitter disapproval. However, her actions are redefining what it is like to be a fashionable modern woman in the royal family. There is bound to be some backlash from folks who are loyal to tradition.
During her interview with Oprah, Markle brought up issues commonly swept under the rug, such as mental health. Her public admission of having suicidal thoughts was an act of strength and bravery because she risked facing negative or discriminatory attitudes from the public. Markle’s honesty and openness has revealed a lot about the stigma that still surrounds mental illness. The duchess admitted that she felt ashamed for having these thoughts, calling attention to the self-stigma that can prevent individuals from finding help. Despite having feelings of internalized shame about her mental struggles, Markle recognized that she deserved help.
As someone who is a high profile figure, Markle has access to an abundance of resources, yet she still struggled to get help. If a princess could not get help, it seems safe to say that access to proper mental health services is even more difficult to obtain for ordinary people. By addressing the issue, Markle is helping to remove the stigma around it. Mental illness is often met with shame and discomfort; Markle’s interview raises awareness and empowers women to talk about their own battles. The interview revealed that royal life does not mean a perfect life, and even princesses are not untouchable.
Markle’s interview shone a light on the issue of racism that is still ever-present within our society. For many women of color, it was not surprising to hear Markle’s claims about racism in the royal family. Women of color who marry into white families often expect to deal with some level of racism, which is a sad reality. In addition, the interview has uncovered the ways that the British monarchy has failed to combat racism in recent times. Meghan and Harry both stand in solidarity with the Black community and have spoken out against racism, but the other members of the royal family did not comment on matters such as the Black Lives Matter movement.
The British monarchy has had a long history of contributing to racism, even participating in the slave trade in the past. While some members of the royal family have addressed their previous wrongdoings, the Queen has never mentioned the monarchy’s past or acknowledged the topic of racism. Because of the lack of accountability from the Queen herself, it seems unlikely that the monarchy will take Markle’s claims seriously or actively work against racism. Even though the palace may remain ignorant toward racism and continue enabling it, the interview has at least helped to educate people in other communities about the prevalence of racism in society. It also teaches women of color how to deal with racist family members.
The topic of “Megxit” was discussed in the interview where Markle goes into further detail about the couple’s decision to step down as senior royals. Markle explained that during her time as a senior royal, she was not as vocal about issues as she used to be. This prompted the now-famous line from Oprah, “Were you silent, or were you silenced?” Markle responded with, “The latter.”
As an outspoken feminist, Markle felt especially suppressed by the institution’s expectations of her to behave more submissively. Markle believed that she would receive protection from the media, but she received none of that promised protection. The couple was not receiving the assistance they were asking for, which led to their stepping down. Because of the poor treatment toward Markle, the prince feared for his wife’s safety. They saw the pattern that was unfolding before them, a blatant reminder of Princess Diana’s tragic end. Markle had the courage to point out to her husband the suppressive tendencies of the institution and to help her family break free from the cycle of mistreatment.
What exactly does Markle’s exit from the royal family mean for women? The exit teaches women not to tolerate abuse and to stand up for themselves. It also reveals the patriarchal culture embedded within the institution that expects women to remain submissive, docile, and compliant even in the face of toxicity or danger. Markle sends the message that women deserve to remove themselves from situations that cause them harm or discomfort. It is not cold, cruel, or selfish to put some space between yourself and family in the name of preserving your own mental health. By choosing to step back from the royal family, she helps to eliminate certain stereotypes that women need to be accomodating. Distancing yourself from family takes an extreme amount of bravery. Women’s needs are just as important and worthy as men’s, even though society has taught them otherwise.
Overall, Markle demonstrates that it is completely normal to struggle with mental health, regardless of your status. There is nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to discussing mental illness. Because Markle shared her personal experiences, the interview helped women to feel less alone in life. Markle values true human connection and constantly goes above and beyond in her efforts to serve the public. The interview is an example of that; it allowed her to bring up causes she cares about while making a personal connection to them. Her honesty and rawness make people feel like they can understand her. It eliminates some of the mystery surrounding the royal family.
Through the media’s portrayal of Markle, it is clear that women are perceived as nothing more than their flaws. It is disappointing that society likes to tear women down instead of uplifting them and their accomplishments. If media culture were more positive and strived to actually support and encourage women, society would look a lot different. Markle is working hard toward this change, providing tools and resources to girls and women around the world. If more people followed in her footsteps, society would see significant improvement in business, legislature, and quality of life. Meghan Markle is a prime example of strong female leadership, which is why she is the ideal role model for young women everywhere.
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