Meghan Markle's 'victimhood' has become 'tiring in the public’s eyes' says psychotherapist

In a revealing new interview on America's CBS network, Meghan Markle was joined by her husband Prince Harry, 39, to highlight the negative effects of cyberbullying and the importance of online safety.

In the interview with CBS News Sunday Morning’s Jane Pauley, the Sussexes offered a rare insight into life with their children - Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3 - and how parenthood is propelling their work.

“All you want to do as parents is protect them. So, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good," said Markle.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, addressed social media bullying on Women's Day earlier this year when she revealed being a victim of cyberbullying herself while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet.

“You really wrap your head around why people would be so hateful,” said the duchess of the social media bullying she experienced. “It’s not catty, it’s cruel.”

Now leading psychotherapist Gin Lalli has waded in on Meghan Markle's perpetual 'victimhood' and how the public could become tired of it.

"It’s an interesting dynamic, which could be interpreted as a continuation of her portrayal as a victim in the public eye," Lalli told Express.co.uk.

"This approach could be seen as an attempt to garner public sympathy by highlighting her own adversities. This is typical victimhood. It can take the focus away from the bigger picture.

"A victim’s narrative tends to spotlight their individual struggles, reinforcing a perception of perpetual victimhood.

"This might be perceived as a strategic move to draw emotional support and reinforce a public image as someone who has endured significant personal challenges.

"This is fair enough, but it becomes tiring in the public’s eyes."

Last October, the couple's Archewell Foundation hosted a mental health summit that focused on keeping children safe in today's digital age.

The event hosted families who had lost children due to mental health struggles, some of which stemmed from overexposure to social media.

Speaking at the summit, the duchess said: “The burden of this can’t solely be on the parents.

“A lot of the conversations we’ve had quietly behind the scenes with tech executives, they do feel that they’ve created parental controls and certain guardrails to curb this, but not all parents are tech-savvy and can navigate that, and there needs to be a better solution than that. You put in safeguards so when situations like this keep happening, you’re still working to keep people safe.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will continue their work in this area during a controversial trip to Colombia in November, which will take place ahead of the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children.

"Nonetheless, it is important to recognise that cyberbullying is a legitimate and pressing issue that affects many individuals," said Lalli.

"In Meghan Markle's case, while she has legitimate grievances about cyberbullying, repeatedly framing herself as a victim could overshadow her message and lead to scepticism about her motives.

"It could also distract from the broader issue of online harassment, which affects so many normal everyday people too."

In conclusion, Lalli highlights how continuously identifying as a victim can be dangerous for several reasons. She says it can undermine credibility, fosters dependence, it can alienate supporters, distracts from broader issues and can cause one to neglect personal growth.

 

Gin Lalli is a renowned psychotherapist, author and podcast host from Edinburgh. She has been featured in Breathe, Psychologies, Daily Telegraph and is a regular expert on BBC Radio Scotland.