Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a Creative Industries and Business Reception on Oct. 2, 2019, in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Chris Jackson / Getty Images)

Meghan Markle Opens Up About Challenges of Motherhood: 'Not Many People Have Asked If I'm Okay'

By Kim Davis October 19, 2019 at 11:16am

Caring for a newborn baby is an exhausting and demanding job, a role that the average parent will never have to manage under a global spotlight.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their first baby, Archie, on May 6.

For Meghan Markle, motherhood has meant additional scrutiny on a worldwide scale.

With Archie in tow, Prince Harry and Markle toured Africa on a 10-day journey, documented by ITV and scheduled to air in Britain on Oct. 20.

ITV featured a brief clip of the documentary, “Harry & Meghan: An African Journey,” giving viewers a glimpse into what life has been like for Markle since Archie’s birth.

View this post on Instagram

Following our tradition of rotating the accounts we follow on a monthly basis, for the month of October we are celebrating “community.” • Over the last week on their official tour to Southern Africa, The Duke and Duchess have had a poignant reminder of the importance of community – the sense of support and togetherness that is felt from feeling like you are a part of something that respects difference but also celebrates shared values for the greater good. Please let us know the favourite organisation in your community – one you enjoy volunteering for, or that makes you proud to be a part of – one that supports you personally in your everyday life, and that defines what you feel community is all about. Based on your suggestions we will then choose our new accounts to follow for October. Thanks so much and thanks for being a part of the Sussex community! Photo ©️ High Commission

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Oct 1, 2019 at 9:23am PDT

Markle admitted that motherhood in the public eye has been a struggle.

“Any woman, especially when they’re pregnant, you’re really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging,” Markle told ITV’s Tom Bradby, People reported. “And then when you have a newborn, you know. And especially as a woman, it’s a lot.”

“So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed. It’s um…yeah,” Markle continued.

She thanked Bradby for checking on her wellbeing, holding back tears.

“I guess, also thank you for asking because not many people have asked if I’m OK, but it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes,” an emotional Markle said.

ITV’s @tombradby spoke to Meghan as he gained exclusive access to the royal couple as they toured Africa for 10 days with their son Archie.

The documentary, Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, airs on Sunday at 9pm on @ITV #HarryandMeghan https://t.co/Uy21iE6ozJ pic.twitter.com/XYlHVytiHF

— ITV News (@itvnews) October 18, 2019

Bradby summed up Markle’s comments by asking if it “would be fair” to say that she’s “not really OK, as in it’s really been a struggle?”

Markle nodded in agreement before adding a softspoken, “Yes.”

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This evening, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the annual #WellChildAwards in London. WellChild aims to ensure every child and young person living with serious health needs has the best chance to thrive with the support and medical care needed in the comfort of their own home. The Duke of Sussex became Patron of WellChild in 2007, and last year both The Duke and Duchess attended the awards to honour the children and families that WellChild supports. The Duke, who first came to these awards over a decade ago, shared in his remarks tonight: “Last year when my wife and I attended we knew we were expecting our first child – no one else did at the time, but we did – and I remember squeezing Meghan’s hand so tightly during the awards, both of us thinking what it would be like to be parents one day, and more so, what it would be like to do everything we could to protect and help our child should they be born with immediate challenges or become unwell over time. And now, as parents, being here and speaking to all of you pulls at my heart strings in a way I could have never understood until I had a child of my own.” • To find out more about tonight’s event and how you can support this very special organisation, please visit @WellChild Photos ©️ PA images

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Oct 15, 2019 at 2:18pm PDT

Markle’s vulnerability was well-received by hundreds of thousands of viewers, and shortly after the clip was released online, the hashtag, #WeLoveYouMeghan began to trend on Twitter, with supporters showing compassion and understanding for the 38-year-old Duchess.

“Harry & Meghan: An African Journey,” will air in the U.S. on ABC Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 10 p.m. EST.

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entertainment, royal family, Women

Kim Davis

Contributor

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A graduate of Grand Canyon University, Kim Davis has been writing for The Western Journal since 2015, focusing on lifestyle stories.

@liftable_writer

Kim Davis began writing for The Western Journal in 2015. Her primary topics cover family, faith, and women. She has experience as a copy editor for the online publication Thoughtful Women. Kim worked as an arts administrator for The Phoenix Symphony, writing music education curriculum and leading community engagement programs throughout the region. She holds a degree in music education from Grand Canyon University with a minor in eating tacos.

Birthplace

Page, Arizona

Education

Bachelor of Science in Music Education

Location

Phoenix, Arizona

Languages Spoken

English

Topics of Expertise

Lifestyle & Human Interest