Meghan Markle admits that her friends warned her against marrying Prince Harry

In the upcoming documentary Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, Meghan Markle opens up about the challenges of standing in one of the world’s harshest spotlights. In a newly released clip from the film, Markle reveals that her British friends warned her about entering that spotlight, telling her that the UK tabloids would “destroy [her] life.”

Still, Markle says she was blindsided by just how brutal that press turned out to be.

“I had no idea, which probably sounds difficult to understand here," Markle tells host Tom Bradby. "But when I first met my now-husband, my friends were really happy because I was so happy. But my British friends said to me, ‘I’m sure he’s great. But you shouldn’t do it, because the British tabloids will destroy your life.’

Markle then calls herself naïve for not fully comprehending what they were saying.

'My British friend said to me 'I'm sure he's great but you shouldn't do it''

The Duchess of Sussex reveals she was warned not to marry Prince Harry because 'British tabloids will destroy your life' #HarryAndMeghan https://t.co/GWs5KfuovM pic.twitter.com/SmUl3ofSnd

— ITV News (@itvnews) October 20, 2019

While the documentary highlights the Duke and Duchess’s charity work on their 10-day tour through Africa, the film focuses heavily on the royal couple’s challenges with the British press. In another clip, Markle opens up further about her mental health.

“‘I really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip,” she told Bradby. “I tried, I really tried. But I think what that does internally is probably really damaging.”

'I really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip'

The Duchess of Sussex admits she's tried a coping mechanism to manage the pressures that come with marrying Prince Harry #HarryAndMeghan https://t.co/GWs5KfuovM pic.twitter.com/XctGTpk94l

— ITV News (@itvnews) October 20, 2019

Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess filed a lawsuit against the UK tabloid that published Markle’s private letter to her father “in an intentionally destructive manner.”

In his official statement on the lawsuit, Harry drew parallels between the dangerous “bullying” Markle receives from the British media and his mother’s 1997 death, which involved paparazzi.

“I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditized to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person,” he wrote. “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”  

Harry opens up about carrying the heartache of Princess Diana’s death in the documentary, as well, saying that her loss is “a wound that festers.” 

Markle admits to Bradby that her treatment by the press has indeed been a struggle, especially since giving birth to 5-month-old son Archie:

“Any woman, especially when they’re pregnant, you’re really vulnerable. So that was made really challenging. And then when you have a newborn. So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed, it’s...and also, thank you for asking. Because not many people have asked if I’m okay. But it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.

Markle has received tons of support on social media in light of her recent treatment by the press. The trending hashtag #WeLoveYouMeghan is still going strong on Twitter, where the duchess’s fans are rallying behind her. In particular, fans are supporting Markle’s openness in the upcoming documentary about how media attention has affected her mental health. false

Meghan, inspires people all over the world and gives out noting but love and support! #WeLoveYouMeghan ❤️🥺 pic.twitter.com/zUYvTJFZjV

— Tiana (@Tiana40371) October 18, 2019

Meghan Markle is a treasure! The amount of poise she shows in this interview is simply incredible. Her haters should be ashamed. Sending her love and unlimited hugs from the USA. #WeLoveYouMeghan

— justcjeanne (@justcjeanne) October 18, 2019

You can catch Harry and Meghan: An African Journey this Wednesday, October 23rd, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.