Meghan praises Prince Harry for being a ‘hands-on dad’ and ‘incredible partner’ as she discusses the difficulties of motherhood while he watches from the front row

Meghan has praised Prince Harry for being a “hands-on dad” and “incredible partner” as she discussed the difficulties of motherhood while watching from the front row at the SXSW festival.

The Duchess of Sussex arrived in Texas on International Women’s Day before a star-studded panel including actor Brooke Shields and American journalist Katie Couric.

Meghan opened up about the cyberbullying she endured while pregnant with her two children Archie and Lilibet, and praised their father Harry for making motherhood easier.

“I’m fortunate that, you know, among the privileges that I have in my life, I have an incredible partner. My husband is such a hands-on father and a huge supporter of me and our family, and I don’t take that for granted. That’s a real blessing.

“But many people don’t get the same support.”

Prince Harry sat in the front row to support his wife Meghan, sitting next to her longtime friend and confidant Markus Anderson (left)

Meghan opened up about the cyberbullying she endured during the pregnancy of her two children Archie and Lilibet

Prince Harry and Meghan are seen with their young children Archie and Lilibet

Meghan added: ‘The effect that social media can have on new mums, even if it’s just the lack of sleep because they spend all that time scrolling and scrolling.

“But it can also be very dizzying for them to see this representation of motherhood that looks so perfect. While we all know it’s not perfect. We all know it’s messy.

“For us, I think just trying to put the safety measures in place so that women and mothers in particular don’t feel like they’re even more vulnerable when they go online, they can somehow feel like they’re going to a safer place to go.’

Meghan spoke out about her use of social media, claiming that most of the online hate she experienced happened while she was pregnant with her two young children.

‘I’m currently distancing myself from it for my well-being, but most of the bullying and abuse I experienced on social media and online happened when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili, and with a newborn baby, with each of them ‘ she said.

“Think about that and ask yourself why people would be so hateful. It’s not catty, it’s cruel. Why you would do that when you are pregnant or as a mother at such a tender and sacred time.”

She added, “You might succumb to it, or almost succumb to how painful that is. Or maybe because I was pregnant, that mammalian instinct kicks in to do everything possible to protect your child and therefore yourself.’

Meanwhile, Prince Harry was seen in the front row clapping in support of his wife Meghan – alongside her long-time friend and confidant Markus Anderson.

Harry is seen in the audience supporting his wife Meghan as she speaks on the panel

Harry was seen in the front row supporting Meghan – alongside her longtime friend and confidante Markus Anderson

Prince Harry sat in the front row to support his wife Meghan as she spoke on the panel

Meghan and American journalist Katie Couric attended a panel at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival

The session focused on the dangers and mental health issues associated with social media

South by Southwest, also known as SXSW, is an annual festival celebrating the convergence of technology, film, music, education and culture, held from March 8 to 16.

Meghan, described by organizers as a ‘visionary female leader’, will headline today’s keynote event, which is also International Women’s Day.

According to organizers, the session is presented by Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation and The 19th, a U.S. nonprofit newsroom that reports on gender, politics and policy.

It comes as it was revealed the Duchess has contacted PR gurus in Britain in a bid to improve her and Archewell’s reputation.

Announcing a panel of ‘visionary’ women, the festival confirmed the session would focus on the dangers and mental health issues associated with social media users among teenage girls.

The session, titled Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen, will be moderated by Errin Haines, host of the podcast The Amendment, and will also be attended by pop culture expert Nancy Wang Yuen.

Markus, also known as ‘Mr Soho House’, is often referred to as the ‘second most important man’ in Meghan’s life – and was instrumental in bringing Harry and Meghan together.