Meghan Markle Fights Back Tears in New Video as She Talks Parenting While Being a Royal

Meghan Markle tears up as she makes a rare admission of what it's been like for her amid the pressures of becoming a royal. Meanwhile, Prince Harry describes the media backlash as a "wound that festers."

Perhaps because Meghan Markle just admitted that nobody has ever asked her if she was okay, this is the first time we’re hearing it straight from her that parenting against the royal backdrop has become a struggle.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

In a rare moment, Meghan opened up to British journalist Tom Bradby in the ITV documentary, “Harry & Meghan: An African Journey.” A preview clip from the special which airs this Sunday shows the new mom revealing that the struggle is “very real.”

"...it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.” - Meghan Markle

The duchess tried to contain her tears as she replied to Tom’s inquiry about her physical and mental health especially with the birth of her five-month-old son, Archie and the pressures of being a royal. After a smile and a moment of pause, she said,

“I would say…look any woman, especially when they are pregnant, you are really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging. And then when you have a newborn, you know?”

According to the 38-year-old, “especially as a woman…it’s really a lot.” She was referring to the negative scrutiny she was under from the moment she began dating Prince Harry until today.

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

"...though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been.” - Prince Harry

"NOT REALLY OK"

Meghan was especially grateful to Tom for having asked a question that she admits was rarely thrown her way.

“Thank you for asking because not many people have asked if I’m okay,” she said. “But it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.”

Asked if it was a fair assumption that she was “not really ok” and that she was struggling, Meghan replied, “Yes.”

THE COUPLE'S LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE BRITISH PRESS

It’s clearly been a difficult ascent to royalty for Meghan who’s been bashed and highly criticized for just about everything.

It has greatly concerned her husband, Prince Harry that towards the end of their African tour, the Duke of Sussex announced that they have taken legal steps to sue a publication for printing a private letter that Meghan sent her father, Thomas Markle.

"...every single time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back..." - Prince Harry

Prince Harry at the presidential palace in Luanda, Angola on September 28, 2019. | Photo: Getty Images

He likewise filed a lawsuit against two other news outlets for alleged illegal interception of voice mail messages. In his statement announcing the lawsuit, Harry confessed that the “ruthless” treatment of his wife throughout her pregnancy and even after has been “painful.”

“There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious,” he said. “And though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been.”

A "WOUND THAT FESTERS"

Meanwhile, reflecting on the pressures of his royal role in the ITV documentary, Harry described it as a “wound that festers,” referring to the death of his mother, Princess Diana who also suffered under the limelight.

“I think being part of this family — in this role, in this job — every single time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back,” he said. “In that respect, it’s the worst reminder of her life as oppose to the best.”

TAKING TIME OFF

Harry and Meghan concluded their 10-day African tour at the start of October. Details of their journey will be featured in their upcoming documentary.

It was recently reported that the couple will be going on a six-week sabbatical from royal duties as they intend to fly to the US by mid-November.

The family-of-three will be spending quality time in Meghan’s homeland where they’ll also be spending Thanksgiving with her mother, Doria Ragland, according to a royal source.

They will return to England in time for Christmas which is traditionally spent with the Queen.