Duke and Duchess of Sussex Discuss Online Safety Initiative with Jane Pauley
Meghan Markle appeared visibly moved when asked about her past trauma during a recent interview.
In a sit-down conversation with Jane Pauley for CBS Sunday Morning, which aired today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex discussed their upcoming initiative focused on children and social media, set to launch next week.
During the interview, Meghan, who celebrates her 43rd birthday today, and Harry, 39, elaborated on their ongoing work with parents who have lost children to online bullying and abuse.
Pauley referenced the couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where Meghan revealed she had contemplated suicide during her time as a member of the Royal Family.
The interviewer suggested that Meghan and Harry could empathise with the grieving parents, given their own experiences with "loss" and "tragedies".
Pauley said to Meghan: "You had an experience that connects you to these families, and I see you touch your husband's hand in just the way I knew that you would be looking after each other."
"The connection that you have with people is they know you had suffered too, personally, contemplating killing yourself, is what suicidal ideation was," she continued.
Acknowledging Meghan's discomfort, Pauley remarked: "I'm dancing around this because I can see you're uncomfortable with me even going there."
Meghan responded: "I understand why you are though. I wasn't expecting it, but I understand why you are."
This TV special marks the Sussexes’ first joint interview since their explosive conversation with Winfrey, during which they made several allegations against the Royal Family, including claims that a senior royal had expressed "concerns" about Prince Archie’s skin colour before his birth in 2019.
A CBS spokesperson said: “The Duke and Duchess sat down with ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ host Jane Pauley last week for an exclusive interview to introduce a program aimed at supporting parents whose children have been impacted by online harm.
"Jane also spoke with parents participating in the pilot program who described how it has helped their healing process.”
