ITV’s Lorraine Kelly has expressed her dismay that Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, was not helped more during her mental health struggles.
- Speaking with royal biographer Andrew Morton about Meghan Markle’s recent Oprah interview, Lorraine expressed that it was “very strange” that the Royal Family supposedly didn’t help.
- Andrew claimed that the Royal Family has had a “history of going for help from professional bodies”.
- In other royal news, Prince George and Princess Charlotte are taking after the Queen with their new hobby.
Lorraine has spoken with royal biographer Andrew Morton about Meghan Markle’s recent poignant admission that she experienced struggles with her mental health in the first few years after marrying Prince Harry. This intensely difficult time was something the Duchess of Sussex has recently opened up about during her and Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.
During the conversation, Meghan spoke of a particular photo that reminds her of this challenging period. She also claimed that despite reaching out and asking for help, this not provided by the Royal Family. Since then more people than ever have been discussing the vitally important subject of mental health.
Now ITV host Lorraine has discussed the matter of Meghan’s recent revelations with royal biographer Andrew, who professed himself “baffled” by this “sad admission”, given what he has learnt about the royals when writing his new book.
More from woman&home:
- Best air purifiers - improve air quality in your home with our pick of the top models
- Best pillow - for a comfortable, pain-free night’s sleep whether you’re a back, side or stomach snoozer
- Best blenders - make smoothies, soups, sauces and desserts with blenders for every budget
Which other royals have sought support?
Andrew Morton’s new biography, Elizabeth & Margaret, delves into the lives of the Queen and her younger sister and even suggests that Princess Margaret sought support regarding her mental health.
Lorraine said: “One of the very interesting things you cover in the book is that [Margaret] had mental health issues and that she wanted help”, before suggesting this was perhaps not something she received.
“People didn't talk about mental illness, but having said that, Princess Margaret did go for psychological counselling,” Andrew explained.
“Even the Queen herself during her annus horribilis had somebody in to help her with breathing and relaxing. So in a funny kind of way, the royal family have had a history of going for help from professional bodies for psychological issues they have faced.”
Following this, Lorraine expressed how for her it was “very strange” and “difficult to imagine” the Royal Family supposedly not helping Meghan when she needed support.
“I had no idea, that’s extraordinary,” Lorraine responded. “I’d never thought of the Queen doing that, which makes it seem all the more crazy or difficult to imagine they wouldn’t have helped Meghan.”
“When Meghan made that cry for help and she said nobody listened to her, it was one of the saddest things about that interview, wasn’t it?”
Andrew echoed this sentiment: “That was a very sad admission but it left far more questions than answers, especially as Harry is a patron of a mental health organization".
He also spoke of how Julia Samuel, who was a close friend of Princess Diana and is a well-known psychotherapist is likely "on speed dial".
“It left me baffled, that assertion,” he explained.
Having previously written a biography on Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, Andrew also expressed his belief that she would be “disappointed” in the so-called rift between him and Prince William.
However, it’s thought that the brothers will reunite later this year for the unveiling of a memorial statue of their mother.
“Hopefully the spirit of Diana can help with some sort of reconciliation,” he stated.
