Meghan Markle is opening up in a way fans have never seen before in Tom Bradby’s new ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, as the former Suits actress-turned-Duchess of Sussex makes it clear that joining the royal family hasn’t turned out as she expected. Markle told the cameras that she never thought this would be easy, but she thought it would be fair. And now, she realizes why her British friends told her not to marry Prince Harry.
Markle says that the treatment she has received from the British press – and how unfair it has been – is the part of her new life that is “really hard to reconcile.” The mom of Archie Harrison added that when she started dating Harry, her American friends were thrilled for her because she was happy, but her British friends warned her not to do it.
“It’s hard. I don’t think anybody can understand that. In all fairness, I had no idea, which probably sounds difficult to understand, but when I first met Harry, my friends were so excited, my US friends were happy because I was happy,” Meghan said. “But my British friends, they were sure he was lovely, but they said I shouldn’t do it because ‘the British tabloids will destroy your life.’ Because I’m American I very naively didn’t get it. It’s complicated.”
The 38-year-old royal explained that she has done her best to adopt the British sensibility of a stiff upper lip, but internally that’s probably really damaging. Markle says she has told “H” – which is what she calls Prince Harry – that it’s not enough to just survive something because that’s not the point of life. Instead, you have to thrive and feel happy.
Markle explained that when people continue to say things that aren’t true – even though they’ve been told it’s not true – that is different from scrutiny, and no one would feel OK with that. The Duchess of Sussex said that it’s hard for people to understand what it’s like, but the good thing is she has her husband and her baby, who are “the best.”
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has come to an end, but The Duke and Duchess have had the opportunity to look back on an incredible 10 days through South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Malawi. Thank you for following along! Their Royal Highness’s journey took them 15,000 miles across southern Africa where they we’re greeted by so many amazing people along the way. They witnessed the great partnership between the UK and Africa, met local community groups, leaders, and youth and elders, who all imparted knowledge and inspiration. On their final day of the tour, The Duchess said: “Please know that you have all given us so much inspiration, so much hope – and above all, you have given us joy.” • During their tour, The Duke and Duchess unveiled three new Queens Commonwealth Canopy projects, protecting forests and planting trees, and worked with the British Government to announce investment of £8m in technology and skills in the region. The Duke traveled to Angola to focus on the ongoing mission to rid the world of landmines, an extension of the work that was pioneered by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The Duchess announced gender grants from the Association of Commonwealth Universities to improve access to higher education for women, as well as four scholarships for students studying across the commonwealth. Throughout this trip they were able to join an important and essential conversation about the rights of women and girls – not isolated to Southern Africa, but also globally. Throughout this visit, The Duke and Duchess were struck by the spirit and generosity from every community they visited. Speaking to young entrepreneurs in Tembisa, a township in Johannesburg, The Duke said: “As I raise my own son, I want to make sure that what I’ve learned here – the value of the natural world, the value of community and friendship – is something that I can pass on to him.” • Thank you to everyone who supported from afar, and those who have followed along the way! We hope you enjoy this wrap up video to the tune of a wonderful song by The Soweto Gospel Choir, a favourite of The Duke and Duchess. Video ©️ SussexRoyal
Harry cosigned his wife’s statement, and said that he will always try to uphold a certain set of values that his mom – the late Princess Diana – taught him, despite what his role and job sometimes entails. Prince Harry said he will always protect his family, and added that everything Markle has gone through is incredibly important. The red-headed royal said it’s not just him being paranoid because he doesn’t want a repeat of the past.
Prince Harry explained that part of his job was putting on a brave face and turning a cheek, but that hurts when what’s being said is untrue.
“But all we need to do is focus on being real, and focus on being the people that we are, and standing up for what we believe in. I will not be bullied into playing a game that killed my mum,” said Harry.
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Harry & Meghan: An African Journey airs Wednesday, October 23rd on ABC.
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