The Crown: How Being Royal Is Hard On Mental Health
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Prince William
Being a royal means dealing with constant pressure and intense public scrutiny. Adjusting to public life in the royal family requires immense preparation and support. While those born into the family learn to cope from an early age, new members are thrown into the deep end, facing the challenge of sinking or swimming.
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Meghan Markle
In late 2020, Meghan Markle wrote an article for the 'New York Times' where she openly discussed her miscarriage experience. Her honesty about this sensitive topic surprised many and encouraged conversations about the emotional impact of miscarriage.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle's article was well-written and deeply moving, touching many readers on a personal level. It showed her openness to sharing her own struggles and brought attention to important issues, resonating with a wide audience.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In her article, Meghan Markle stressed the importance of asking, "Are you okay?" She shared a moment from the filming of the 2019 documentary 'Harry & Meghan: An African Journey' when a reporter asked her that question. Markle admitted she was surprised by it and revealed that she wasn't feeling okay most of the time, emphasizing how rare it was for someone to ask her that.
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Meghan Markle
This was one of the first times Meghan Markle talked openly about her struggles. She mentioned battling the British tabloids, coping as a new mom, and adjusting to royal life. Before this, she usually kept her feelings private, probably to protect herself from the media.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry also expressed his support for his wife, stating how painful it was to see her endure the same media scrutiny as his late mother.
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Prince Harry
Prince Harry has been one of the more open members of the British royal family. His past behavior, often labeled as "wild child," was widely covered in the media. His resistance to conforming to the royal family's strict rules often led to him being seen as a rebel by the press.
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Prince Harry
In the same documentary where Markle spoke out, Prince Harry also talked openly about the ongoing pain he feels from losing his mother. He revealed how the sounds and lights of cameras remind him of his mother's struggles with the paparazzi, bringing back difficult memories of her life and death.
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Prince Harry
In a podcast interview in 2017, Prince Harry revealed that he struggled with grief for 20 years before seeking therapy. He admitted to experiencing multiple breakdowns until his brother, Prince William, encouraged him to seek professional help a few years earlier. Prince Harry shared how he tried to suppress his grief and avoid thinking about his mother, Princess Diana, and how being a member of the royal family added to his difficulties.
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Duchess Kate and Prince William
Prince William, often more reserved in his royal role, has also started talking openly about mental health. Alongside his wife, Kate Middleton, and brother, Prince Harry, they launched the campaign Heads Together to break the stigma around mental health. They shared their own struggles to encourage others to seek help when needed.