Meghan admits her 'struggle' in the spotlight while becoming a new mother

Rebecca Speare-Cole18 October 2019

The Duchess of Sussex has admitted to struggling with becoming a new mother whilst living in the spotlight.

Meghan opened up about feeling vulnerable as she faced intense media scrutiny during her pregnancy with son Archie, who she gave birth to in May.

Speaking to ITV's Tom Bradby during her and Harry's recent tour of southern Africa, she said: "Not many people have asked if I'm OK."

She said in the interview: "Look, any woman - especially when they are pregnant - you're really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging. And then when you have a newborn, you know?"

First glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan's newborn son - In pictures

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She continued: "And especially as a woman, it's a lot. So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed it's, well...

"And also, thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I'm OK. But it's a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes."

Asked if it would be fair to say it had "really been a struggle", Meghan replied: "Yes."

The interview is part of a documentary detailing the duke and duchess's 10-day tour last month, in which Harry also opens up about his grief surrounding his mother's death.

The Duke of Sussex is celebrating his first birthday as a father
PA

Harry said that he felt significant pressure being a member of the royal family in the spotlight, and was particularly stressed by the memories of his mother's relationship with the press.

He said: "I think probably a wound that festers.

"I think being part of this family, in this role, in this job... every single time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back, so in that respect it's the worst reminder of her life, as opposed to the best.

"Being here now, 22 years later, trying to finish what she started, will be incredibly emotional, but everything that I do reminds me of her.

Meghan and Archie
Getty Images

"But as I said, with the role, with the job, and the sort of pressures that come with that, I get reminded of the bad stuff, unfortunately."

During the tour, Meghan and son Archie stayed in South Africa, while Harry visited Malawi, Botswana and Angola, where he highlighted his mother's anti-landmine work.

"It's been quite emotional retracing my mother's steps, 22 years on. Let's finish what was started," Harry said.

As the tour ended, the duke and duchess both brought separate legal actions against parts of the press, with Meghan suing the Mail on Sunday over a breach of privacy when it published a private letter between her and her estranged father.

Harry later filed his own proceedings at the High Court in relation to the alleged illegal interception of voicemail messages by Sun, News of the World and Daily Mirror journalists.The documentary "Harry & Meghan: An African Journey", will air on ITV on Sunday at 9pm.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

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