Author and mental health advocate Matt Haig has slammed critics who dismiss the Duchess of Sussex’s feelings with the argument that she is ‘rich and famous’.
British writer Matt, who appeared in the September issue of Vogue which was guest edited by Meghan Markle, 38, branded the theory that those in her position should not complain as ‘bullying’, in a passionate Instagram post.
Explaining that the stigma of judging a book by its cover stopped those struggling with mental health issues to ask for help, his statement came as Meghan was criticised for speaking out in the recent ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey.
Author and mental health advocate Matt Haig has slammed critics who dismiss the Duchess of Sussex’s feelings with the argument that she is ‘rich and famous’ after she spoke about struggling with the intense scrutiny in the recent ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey (seen)
Taking to Instagram, Matt wrote: ‘People can be famous and struggle. People can seem to have the perfect life and struggle.
‘This idea you know precisely what others are feeling just by looking at them is the basis of stigma. It stops others asking for help for fear of mockery. It is bullying. This is bullying.’
His statement was in response to a tweet by journalist Toby Young, which read: ‘Poor, poor Meghan Markle.
‘She’s famous, beautiful, married to a loving and devoted man (net worth = $40m), has a healthy baby, flies everywhere on private jets, and is about to move into an enormous country house that’s been lavishly redecorated at the taxpayers’ expense’.
British writer Matt, who appeared in the September issue of Vogue which was guest edited by Meghan Markle, 38, branded the theory that those in her position should not complain as ‘bullying’, in a passionate Instagram post
Taking to Instagram, Matt wrote: ‘People can be famous and struggle. People can seem to have the perfect life and struggle. ‘This idea you know precisely what others are feeling just by looking at them is the basis of stigma. It stops others asking for help for fear of mockery. It is bullying. This is bullying.’
Matt Haig appeared in Meghan’s guest edited September issue of British Vogue, in which the Duchess hailed his poem – which is an ode from a beach telling swimmers not to be body-conscious – as inspirational.
Matt’s defence comes just a few weeks after Meghan said in an emotional ITV interview that she tried to cope with the pressures of her new life since marrying Harry in May 2018 with a ‘stiff upper lip’.
Speaking candidly in ITV’s Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, she struggled with the barrage of criticism she experienced after becoming a new mother under the glare of the media spotlight.
Meghan told how she and Prince Harry are ‘just surviving’ the intense media attention, revealing the struggles had faced becoming a member of the royal family.
His statement was in response to a tweet by journalist Toby Young, which read: ‘Poor, poor Meghan Markle. ‘She’s famous, beautiful, married to a loving and devoted man (net worth = $40m), has a healthy baby, flies everywhere on private jets, and is about to move into an enormous country house that’s been lavishly redecorated at the taxpayers’ expense’.
Speaking candidly in ITV’s Harry & Meghan: An African Journey recently, Meghan said she struggled with the barrage of criticism she experienced after becoming a new mother under the glare of the media spotlight
Speaking about the influx of false stories, she said: ‘Any woman especially when they are pregnant you’re really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging, and then when you have a new born – 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, well…’ ‘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.’
She added: ‘I’m the first one to go, ‘oh my gosh I’m so sorry I would never do that.’ When people are saying things that are just untrue and they have been told they are untrue but they are allowed to still say them, I don’t know anybody in the world that would feel like that’s okay. And that’s different to just scrutiny.’
The programme came after Prince Harry announced he planned sue the Mail On Sunday, referring to his late mother Princess Diana as he explained: ‘Though this action may not be the safe one, it is the right one.
‘Because my deepest fear is history repeating itself. I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are seen introducing Archie to the world at Windsor Castle in May of this year