Meghan Markle says she hopes discussing her suicidal thoughts will ‘help others’ feeling the same way she launches campaign with Prince Harry to protect children on social media

Meghan Markle discussed her own suicidal thoughts in her first joint interview with Prince Harry in three years.

The Duchess of Sussex, who turns 43 today, has launched a campaign with her husband to tackle child safety online.

In an interview with US broadcaster CBS, the royals discussed the launch of the Parents Network and spoke to parents who lost their children to suicide, many of which were linked to social media use.

Meghan first opened up about her suicidal thoughts when she was still a working royal, in a shocking interview with Oprah three years ago.

Meghan said in her speech today: ‘There is a common thread when you’ve been through pain or trauma.

‘Part of your healing process, and certainly part of mine, is being open about it.

“I haven’t really scratched the surface of my experience. I would never want anyone else to feel this way. I would never want anyone else to make these plans. I would never want anyone else to be disbelieved.”

“So if by sharing what I’ve overcome, I can save someone or encourage someone in their life to really stop and think about it, and not assume that everything is okay, then that’s fine by me.”

The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah in 2021 that she “couldn’t be left alone” and told her husband she “didn’t want to be alive anymore.” She then claimed that Buckingham Palace human resources ignored her pleas for help because she was not a “paid employee.”

Meghan described how she considered ending her life because she believed it would be “better for everyone”, saying: “I knew if I didn’t say it, I would. I just didn’t want to live anymore. And that was a very clear and real and terrifying constant thought. I remember him just holding me. I said I needed to go somewhere and get help. I said ‘I’ve never felt like this before and I need to go somewhere’. And they said I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”

She said that after confiding in her husband, she was forced to attend a charity event at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2019, claiming that photos from that night “haunt me.” She told Oprah that she later contacted one of Diana’s closest friends, Princess of Wales, because she felt unsupported by the palace.

She said: ‘When I came to that family, that was the last time I saw my passport, my driving licence, my keys – all of that was handed over.’ Meghan said Harry had ‘saved my life’ by agreeing to move to Los Angeles.

In the interview, Harry and Meghan spoke to Jane Pauley as the network filmed them meeting with a group of grieving parents.

In the interview, Harry also talked about the “scariest thing” about social media, which is that “absolutely anyone” can lose a loved one.

‘We always talk about the old days, when you have kids under your roof, you know what they’re up to. At least they’re safe.

“But now they can go into these rabbit holes in the next room, with a tablet or a phone, and commit suicide within 24 hours.”

In the interview with presenter Jane Pauley, the royal couple talk about how parents should protect their children from online dangers. They look back on their own experiences with Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

The Duchess said: ‘Our children are young, they are three and five, they are wonderful, but all you want to do as parents is protect them.

“And now that we see what’s happening online, we know there’s still a lot of work to be done. We’re glad we can be part of a positive change.”

When the announcer adds, “You hope that when your children ask for help, there’s someone who can give it to you,” the Duke adds only, “If you know how to help.”

“We’re at the point where almost every parent has to be a first responder,” he said. “And even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to recognize the signs of possible suicide. That’s the scary part about it.”

Responding to presenter Jane Pauley who said it was a “humble beginning”, Meghan added: “You have to start somewhere. Anyone watching this or anyone who can affect change has to look at it through the lens of ‘what if this was my son or daughter?’

“Your son or daughter comes home and is happy, and I love them, and then one day, right under my roof, our whole life changes because of something that is completely out of my control. And when you look at that as a parent, there’s no other way to look at it than to try to find a solution.”

Meghan opted for a £12,800 Cartier necklace and matching Ralph Lauren accessories in the interview.

She previously wore the yellow gold choker with 57 diamonds during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.

Meghan wore even more American brands, looking summery in matching Ralph Lauren co-ordinates.

The Duchess paired the Adrien relaxed fit broadcloth shirt in mauve, worth £570, with the brand’s Evanne trousers in the same shade, worth £915.

Meghan opted for her signature natural look, wearing her hair in loose waves and accentuating her beauty with a light layer of makeup.

The mother of two had her eyebrows filled in with a dark pencil and her skin was then highlighted and applied a creamy foundation.

Deep pink, creamy lips completed the look, while black eyeliner and mascara accentuated her eyes.

For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org for more information. In the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).