Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘quit’ social media over 'hate' amid 'progressive' US role
MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry have "quit" social media after the "hate" the royals experienced online, as the couple get set to launch their Archewell charity.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex only use their Sussex Royal instagram account, which has more than 10.4 million followers, and do not have Twitter or Facebook. The couple have not posted on their Instagram since March last year, and hinted at dropping online platforms when they said: “While you may not see us here, the work continues.”
A source close to the Sussexes has said couple will continue to reject social media as part of their “progressive role” in the US.
They added Meghan and Harry have no plans” to use social media for the Archewell Foundations.
Despite Meghan having a large online following before becoming a royal, the couple are “very unlikely” to return to platforms in a personal capacity.
The Duchess had more than 1.9 million followers on Instagram before marrying Harry in 2018, as well as over 350,000 Twitter followers and 800,000 Facebook likes.
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The source also told the Sunday Times Meghan and Harry have become disillusioned by social media after the “hate” they experienced.
The Duchess told Californian high school students on the Teenager Therapy podcast of her “almost unsurvivable” experience of being trolled online last year.
She added: “I'm told that in 2019 I was the most trolled person in the entire world, male or female.
"I don’t care if you’re 15 or you’re 25 - if people are saying things about you that aren’t true, what that does to your mental and emotional health is so damaging."
Harry has also lashed out at online trolls last year in a TIME100 summit with Meghan about the “state of our digital experience”.
During the webcast, Harry said people needed to "take back control" of their use of social media and devices.
He added: "What is happening in the online world is affecting the world.
“This is a global crisis of hate, a global crisis of misinformation, and a global health crisis.”
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Meghan and Harry stepped down as working royals in March last year, and said they wanted a more private life as they raise Archie.
The Sussexes have since bought a mansion in Montecito, California and signed multi-million dollar deals with Spotify and Netflix.
Victoria Murphy, royal expert, said of the move: “They have stepped back not in search of a totally private life but for a different kind of public life.
“A public life where they can have more control over who gets access to them and what they spend their time on.”
It comes Meghan and Harry have held talks with the Royal Family over their status as royals.
Ahead of the end of a 12-month review period, the Sussexes have reportedly addressed all concerns the Royal Family had over them stepping down from the Firm.
A source close to the Sussexes said to Newsweek: “The 12-month review was mostly a period of time when the transition could take place.
“The biggest things that were part of it were around financial independence, household support and staff, security and housing—all of which have been dealt with."