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Privacy NoticeMeghan Markle opened up about being “one of the most bullied people in the world” during a visit to a group of teenagers, according to a charity boss. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, spent an afternoon with Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara on October 2, engaging in arts and crafts and supporting their new digital-wellness programme, Social Media U. The non-profit organisation Girls Inc, which aims to empower girls, partnered with #HalfTheStory, a campaign focused on improving young people’s relationship with technology, to launch the programme. Larissa May, founder of #HalfTheStory, shared with Vanity Fair that Meghan spoke candidly about her experiences with bullying.
(Image: The Archewell Foundation via Get)
She said: “We did an activity where we talked through a bunch of different scenarios, and Meghan talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world. We had girls wave these little emoji signs and talk about how each one of these scenarios would have impacted them emotionally.” Ms May added: “We talked about what it really means to grow up in this digital age,” The Social Media U curriculum is designed to encourage teens to socialise without screens, while also teaching them how to use technology creatively and positively. The curriculum, which the Duchess helped test during her visit, has received financial backing from Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation, the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, and Melissa French Gates’s Pvitoral Ventures. This is not the first time Meghan has spoken out about being a victim of online bullying.
Meghan spoke candidly about her experiences
(Image: The Archewell Foundation via Get)
At the SXSW festival in March this year, the Duchess revealed that she was subjected to “hateful” messages while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet. She had been invited to the Texas festival to discuss “breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes”. During her talk, she spoke about her social media use, stating that the worst abuse she received occurred while she was pregnant with her two young children. “I keep my distance from it right now for my wellbeing but the bulk of the bullying and abuse I was experiencing in social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili, and with a newborn, with each of them,” she said.
Meghan during her visit to Girls’ Inc. Of Greater Santa Barbara
(Image: The Archewell Foundation via Get)
“You just think about that and to wrap your head about why people would be so hateful. It’s not catty it’s cruel. Why you would do that when you’re pregnant or as a mom it’s such a tender and sacred time.” She added: “You could succumb to it, or nearly succumb to how painful that is. Or maybe because I was pregnant that mammalian instinct just kicks in to do everything you can to protect your child and as a result protect yourself too.'”. A royal expert has highlighted the “family dilemma” that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face, particularly when it comes to their children’s connection to their UK relatives. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward noted that Harry has expressed concerns about bringing his family to the UK due to security issues, as they are not automatically entitled to police protection.
Prince Harry resides in the USA with wife Meghan Markle
(Image: Getty Images)
Ingrid told The Sun: “There’s the problem of the security which is still not solved, and Harry says he won’t bring his wife and children back here until he feels that he is in a secure position. I do think that Harry and Meghan have a dilemma with their family life, because the children are getting older, and the children are probably absolutely intrigued to know what their cousins are like. They wouldn’t remember them.” She added that an invitation from Charles Spencer might be appealing, allowing the children to meet their cousins, but it would also raise questions about whether Harry would see his father or other family members. Seward believes that Harry and Meghan are currently undecided, often making last-minute decisions. The Home Office’s ruling that Harry is not immediately entitled to police protection in the UK remains a significant obstacle to the family’s potential visits.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnMeghan MarkleOprah WinfreyPrince HarryHarry and MeghanPrince ArchiePrincess Lilibet
