In an unexpected yet heartfelt appearance at the 2025 Nexus Global Summit in New York, Prince Harry opened up about one of the most painful chapters in his and Meghan Markle’s lives.
The Duke of Sussex didn’t hold back as he reflected on the intense online bullying his wife endured, especially during the early years of their relationship.
Speaking to a room full of change-makers and digital leaders, Harry stressed the importance of creating a safer and more compassionate digital world. And for him, this mission is deeply personal.
Keep reading for more details!
“She Was the Most Trolled Person in the World”
Prince Harry, now 40, recalled the brutal online attacks that Meghan faced, particularly in 2018.
“One of the reasons why the digital world was so important to us is because my wife, in 2018, was the most trolled person in the world,” he said, while discussing the role technology plays in shaping human connection and mental health.
He added that the experience was not something abstract or statistical for them; it was real, painful, and lived.
“There was a lived experience,” he said, as reported by the Daily Mail
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From Personal Pain to Public Advocacy
The emotional toll that online harassment took on their lives eventually motivated Harry and Meghan to launch their advocacy efforts through the Archewell Foundation.
Harry explained that their eyes were further opened when they started meeting parents who had lost children due to social media-driven pressure, often through suicide.
“That’s when it really started to make sense to us,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of the issue.
This marked a shift in their mission, from coping with their own pain to fighting for digital safety and mental health for others.
The Human Cost of Online Cruelty
Reflecting on the broader social impact of the digital world, Harry pointed out how empathy often erodes in difficult times.
“People’s compassion can shrink as their lives become harder,” he shared. It was a sobering reminder of how online spaces can either build communities or tear people apart, depending on how they’re used.
This conversation around digital responsibility isn’t just theory for the couple; it’s their reality. Meghan’s journey, in particular, highlights how quickly public opinion can turn toxic when amplified online.
A Dark Time
The pressure began soon after Meghan and Harry’s engagement was announced in November 2017. By the time they married in May 2018, she had become the subject of relentless media attention and online abuse.
In her now-famous sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan shared that the negativity became so overwhelming that she contemplated suicide.
“I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said during the emotional interview.
She recalled sleepless nights, plagued with confusion and despair.
“I would sit up at night, and I was just like, ‘I don’t understand how all of this is being churned out,’” she admitted, referencing the constant negative headlines and hateful online messages.
The Royal Exit and a New Life in the U.S.
In 2020, Harry and Meghan made the monumental decision to step down from their royal duties. The move came after mounting tension with members of the royal family and ongoing public scrutiny.
They eventually relocated to Montecito, California, seeking a more peaceful life with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Even after stepping back from royal life, the conversation around Meghan’s treatment continued.
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Still Carrying the Scars
In an August interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Meghan reflected on just how deep the wounds went. She admitted that she hadn’t even “scraped the surface” when it came to the bullying she had endured.
A couple of months later, during a conversation with Larissa May, founder of the mental health initiative #HalfTheStory, Meghan echoed those feelings. May later told Vanity Fair that Meghan had described herself as “one of the most bullied people in the world.”
However, some outlets like The Post clarified that Meghan’s comments were more focused on her “experience with online bullying” rather than claiming the definitive title of being the most bullied person globally.
Still, the message was clear: the emotional and psychological damage caused by online abuse is real, and Meghan’s experience reflects that reality for many people who suffer in silence.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
For Harry and Meghan, the pain they went through has fueled a larger mission. Through their work with the Archewell Foundation and appearances like this one at the Nexus Summit, they continue to push for better digital awareness, mental health support, and safer online communities.
Their message is simple but urgent: the internet should be a place that uplifts, not destroys.
Whether one agrees with their choices or not, it’s hard to ignore the sincerity in Harry’s voice as he advocates for change. What began as a deeply personal struggle is now part of a much broader movement to protect others from the same fate.
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TL;DR
Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Nexus Global Summit in New York.
He revealed that Meghan Markle was “the most trolled person in the world” in 2018.
The experience inspired their digital safety and mental health efforts through the Archewell Foundation.
Meghan previously admitted to suicidal thoughts during her Oprah interview.
The couple stepped back from royal life in 2020 and moved to California.
Meghan says she hasn’t even “scraped the surface” of the bullying she endured.
Harry hopes their lived experience can drive positive change online.
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This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.
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A Comprehensive Look at the Reactions
With Love, which premiered on March 4, 2025, has stirred curiosity and criticism. The lifestyle series, hosted by Meghan Markle, features cooking, home hosting, and personal anecdotes. Though the show entered Netflix’s global Top 10, its performance fell short of earlier expectations, especially compared to the 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan.
While Netflix was quick to announce a second season, the show’s reception has not been universally positive, drawing both praise and intense criticism from critics and audiences alike.
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An Intimate Look Into Meghan Markle’s Life
The show positions itself as a “lifestyle” series that aims to give viewers an insight into Markle’s life behind the glitzy cover of celebrity. In various episodes, Meghan Markle hosts dinner parties, shares personal stories, and showcases her culinary skills while offering her take on a variety of topics.
The series aims to paint a more personal picture of the Duchess, breaking the walls between her public persona and her private self.
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A Glimpse into the Life of a Royal Outsider
This series’s context within the broader royal family narrative makes it unique. As a member of the British royal family who stepped down from her royal duties in 2020, Meghan’s life has been subject to intense public scrutiny.
This series attempts to create a bridge between her former royal existence and her new life in California, highlighting her role as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur.
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Netflix’s Reception of the Show
According to Samba TV, the show drew 526,000 U.S. households within its first five days, significantly lower than the couple’s prior documentary. Despite modest performance, Netflix renewed the series for a second season, betting on Markle’s enduring media draw.
Some viewers and critics have expressed that the show’s premise lacks the substance to draw in a broad audience. Despite this lukewarm reception, Netflix announced a second season, though insiders have raised concerns over its potential for long-term success.
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The ‘Ego Trip’ Narrative
A common criticism that has emerged is the suggestion that the show serves as an “ego trip” for Markle. Some critics argue that the series is a platform for Markle to reinforce her image as a modern, independent woman while subtly using the opportunity to critique the royal family and its traditions.
The narrative has led some to accuse the show of leaning heavily on Markle’s brand rather than offering meaningful entertainment.
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A Subtle Criticism of the Royal Family?
Comedian Whitney Cummings weighed in on the show, suggesting that Markle’s Netflix project might not simply be an entertainment piece but a critique of the royal family’s traditions and constraints on women.
Cummings pointed out that Markle seems to be playing with the expectations of her royal heritage, downplaying traditional norms associated with royalty in favor of a more “casual” and self-aware persona.
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The Controversial Cooking Segment
Some cooking and lifestyle segments have been criticized for feeling overly curated or lacking authenticity. However, specific negative comments from celebrity chef Jameson Stocks could not be verified, and such claims appear speculative. Nonetheless, many critics found these parts of the show underwhelming or disconnected from the average viewer’s experience.
His comments reflected broader criticisms of the show’s perceived lack of culinary expertise and seemingly forced attempts to relate to the audience in an “everyday” manner.
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The Royal Family
While Meghan Markle’s show has not been received with overwhelming enthusiasm, it has certainly captured the royal family’s attention, or at least the public perception.
Despite widespread speculation that the show subtly critiques royal traditions, the British royal family has not made official statements about the series. Much of the conversation around their reaction remains driven by media analysis and public interpretation.
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Fans and Critics
Public reception of the show has been divided. Fans of Meghan Markle appreciate the more relatable, down-to-earth side of the Duchess that the show presents.
The show’s reception has been polarizing. Supporters appreciate the calm tone and focus on lifestyle and friendships. However, critics argue that the content feels self-promotional and lacks broader relevance. The disparity between Meghan’s star status and the show’s relatability remains a central talking point.
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The IMDb Rating
9. The IMDb Rating: A Poor Reception
With Love, Meghan holds a 2.6/10 rating on IMDb, reflecting viewer dissatisfaction. Similarly, Rotten Tomatoes reports a critic score of 33%. These numbers underscore a stark contrast between the show’s polished production and how it resonated with audiences.
This low rating reflects the dissatisfaction among some viewers, many of whom expected more from a series featuring such a high-profile figure. The gap between expectations and reality is central to the show’s reception.
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A Missed Opportunity?
Some critics suggest the show represents a missed opportunity for Markle to explore more profound, more meaningful topics. Instead of providing thoughtful insights into her life or a new perspective on the issues surrounding her exit from the royal family, the series appears to be a superficial attempt to remain relevant in the celebrity sphere.
These critics argue that Markle could have used the platform to address more significant issues, such as women’s rights, social justice, or even her philanthropic work.
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Will the Show’s Future Improve?
Despite the hostile reception, Netflix has confirmed that the show will return for a second season. While some insiders believe the show’s future is uncertain, Netflix will likely continue working with Markle, given the star power she brings to the platform.
However, with declining viewership and harsh criticism, whether the second season will perform better than the first remains unclear.
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The Lifestyle Brand
In addition to her Netflix series, Meghan Markle has launched a lifestyle brand called As Ever. This new venture has been met with mixed reviews, as critics question whether there is a genuine market for another celebrity-driven lifestyle brand.
Despite this, Markle’s loyal followers have supported the initiative, which continues to attract attention from fans and media alike.
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Confessions of a Female Founder
Another of Meghan Markle’s ongoing projects is her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder. This podcast aims to provide a platform for women entrepreneurs and offer insights into the challenges they face in the business world.
Like her Netflix series, the podcast has drawn attention for its potential. However, critics argue that it may not be as impactful as Markle hopes, given the previous backlash surrounding her other projects.
Meghan Markle has been the subject of intense media scrutiny throughout her career. This scrutiny has followed her both as a member of the royal family and now as a public figure navigating life outside the royal bubble.
Her new ventures, including the Netflix series and lifestyle brand, continue to attract media attention, with many questioning whether they are genuine attempts to break free from royal expectations or calculated moves to maintain public relevance.
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What’s Next for Meghan Markle?
As Meghan Markle continues to navigate her post-royal life, her future in the entertainment industry remains uncertain. Her projects, while garnering attention, have also been subject to considerable criticism.
Whether her second season of the Netflix series will be able to turn the tide and generate greater interest remains to be seen. Still, Markle’s dedication to remaining in the spotlight is undeniable.
Meghan Markle’s Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, embodies the challenges of carving out a personal brand after leaving the royal spotlight.
Despite its rocky reception, it remains a significant part of her public life. Whether it succeeds in the long run or fades away remains to be seen, but one thing is sure: Markle’s journey continues to captivate supporters and critics alike.
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