Meghan Markle and Harry: Experts discuss ‘contradiction’
The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry have reportedly ditched social media websites, after enduring an “almost unsurvivable” amount of abuse on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. A source close to the couple even claimed they would not use the platforms to share updates from their charity Archewell. The report came nearly a year to the day after they stepped down from senior Royal Family duties, in a landmark move that rocked the Firm.
The source also suggested that it was “very unlikely” the couple would ever return to social media in any capacity.
The move echoed a similar decision Meghan Markle made in 2018, weeks after she married Prince Harry, when she deactivated a social media page, in a move that left her feeling “isolated and alone”.
Earlier in the year, Meghan and Harry were firm favourites among royal supporters, and were one of the world’s most recognisable, and talked about, couples.
Yet, by December, Meghan was forced to shut down her Instagram account again, after it had been reactivated, as trolls took aim at the Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan Markle’s decision for ‘deactivating fake Instagram account’ exposed (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have ‘left social media’ (Image: GETTY)
Initially, excitement grew after it appeared the account was live again, offering fans a new insight into the life Meghan had had before marrying into the Firm.
It was suggested at the time that Meghan wasn’t “looking to make an Instagram comeback”, but was just looking to secretly get in contact with old friends on the “fake” account.
At the time, a source said the account was there to follow friends, but soon “some really vile stuff” was written, and she soon “saw the headlines that were written about her”.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle timeline (Image: EXPRESS)
They added: “It really got to her and, in the end, she had to shut down that account just before Christmas, too, to protect her mental health.
“She felt very isolated and alone.”
Royal Family members do not normally hold their own personal social media accounts, with the likes of Kate Middleton and Prince William using Kensington Palace as their handle.
These types of channels are managed by social media teams, and rarely do the royals themselves post the updates.
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Harry and Meghan quit senior royal duties last year (Image: GETTY)
Before becoming a member of the Windsors, Meghan opted to shut down most of her social media accounts, including her blog The Tig.
The blog was used by Meghan to show off aspects of her life, with regular updates talking about a range of topics, including fashion and recipes.
Despite closing it down, Meghan was told to keep the rights to the name of the blog until at least this year by Andrew Meyer, who at the time was her manager.
Meghan’s blog The Tig was also shut down (Image: GETTY)
It sparked reports that Meghan was ready to jump back into the world of social media, in what would have been a landmark move by a senior royal.
A source told at the time: “It’s fascinating Meghan’s business manager has ensured she keeps The Tig for a few more years at least.
“Of course it’s understandable she wouldn’t want an entrepreneur using the name without her involvement.
“But given her desire to be a different type of royal — pushing her own causes using digital and social media — it’s not out of the question she’d think The Tig could play an important role.”
Royal Family tree (Image: EXPRESS)
In the past, Meghan has been described as someone who wanted to voice their opinions openly, so her silencing since becoming a Royal Family member was difficult for her.
An insider told US Weekly that Meghan had “always relied on her own voice to stand up for others, and for herself”.
Yet they added in 2018: “So not being able to say anything is a debilitating feeling.
“She’s always been so independent, her entire life, and that’s all been taken away from her. She’s always been able to clap back on social media and now she can’t.”
