Meghan Markle Discusses Cyberbullying in Australia

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, shared with an audience in Australia on Thursday that she has faced constant cyberbullying since joining the royal family. “For 10 years now, every day, I’ve been bullied and attacked. And I’ve been the most trolled person in the world,” she expressed, visibly upset.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in Australia for a four-day tour focused on issues like sports, mental health, and veterans’ affairs. On her third day there, Meghan spoke to a group of young participants from the mental health organization Bateel in Melbourne, mentioning that social media companies lack motivation to address the issue, according to Reuters.

“Now, I’m still here,” she passionately said, reiterating her ongoing message that kindness and the rejection of hate speech are essential. Her views highlight the challenges that many face in modern society—especially the youth navigating the complexities of online interactions.

She further remarked, “I think you all need to understand what you’re up against—this billion-dollar industry focused on clicks thrives on negativity, and that’s unlikely to change.” This insight prompted her to reflect, “That’s why I have to become stronger.”

Prince Harry also shared his thoughts on the matter, applauding Australia’s initiative to ban social media access for those under 16. He noted the ban as “grand” in terms of responsibility and leadership, adding that Australia was the first country to implement such a measure. He expressed, “Now we can debate the pros and cons of a ban. I’m not here to judge that. All I’m saying is from a responsibility standpoint, it’s epic.”

Reports indicate that while their trip is privately funded, some associated police costs could be covered by Australian taxpayers, leading to protests signed by over 45,000 people. Unlike their previous visit, the Sussexes are also engaging in what they describe as “private meetings and special projects” during their time in Australia.