Meghan praises Prince Harry for being a ‘hands-on dad’ and ‘incredible partner’ as she discusses the difficulties of motherhood while he watches from the front row

Meghan has praised Prince Harry for being a ‘hands-on-dad’ and ‘incredible partner’ as she discussed the difficulties of motherhood while he watched from the front row at SXSW festival. 

The Duchess of Sussex arrived in Texas on International Women’s Day for a star-studded panel including actor Brooke Shields and US journalist Katie Couric. 

Meghan talked about the cyber-bullying she endured while pregnant with her two children Archie and Lilibet, praising their father Harry for making motherhood easier. 

‘I’m fortunate in that, you know, amongst the privileges I have in my life, I have an incredible partner. My husband is such a hands-on dad and such a supporter of me and our family, and that I don’t take for granted. That is a real blessing. 

‘But a lot of people don’t have that same level of support.’ 

Meghan Markle has praised Prince Harry for being a ‘hands-on-dad’ and ‘incredible partner’ at SXSW festival

Prince Harry sat on the front row to support his wife Meghan, and sat next to her old friend and confidante Markus Anderson (left) 

Meghan talked about the cyber-bullying she endured while pregnant with her two children Archie and Lilibet

Prince Harry and Meghan are seen with their young children Archie and Lilibet 

Meghan added: ‘The effect that social media can have on new mothers, even just the lack of sleep because they spend all this time scrolling and scrolling. 

‘But it can also be really dizzying for them, to see this portrayal of motherhood that looks so perfect. When we all know it’s not perfect. We all know that it’s messy.

‘For us I think it’s just trying to put the safeguards in so that women and moms especially can not feel like they’re even more vulnerable when they go online, they can somehow feel like they are going to a safer place.’ 

Meghan talked about social media use and claimed most of the online hate she experienced happened while she was pregnant with her two young children. 

‘I keep my distance from it right now for my wellbeing but the bulk of the bullying and abuse I was experiencing in social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili, and with a newborn, with each of them,’ she said. 

‘You just think about that and to wrap your head about why people would be so hateful. It’s not catty it’s cruel. Why you would do that when you’re pregnant or as a mom at such a tender and sacred time.’ 

She added: ‘You could succumb to it, or nearly succumb to how painful that is. Or maybe because I was pregnant that mammalian instinct just kicks in to do everything you can to protect your child and as a result protect yourself too.’ 

Meanwhile, Prince Harry was seen clapping in the front row to support his wife Meghan – next to her old friend and confidante Markus Anderson. 

Harry is seen in the audience as she supports his wife Meghan while she speaks in the panel 

Harry was seen in the front row to support Meghan – next to her old friend and confidante Markus Anderson

Prince Harry sat in the front row to support his wife Meghan as she spoke on the panel 

Meghan and US journalist Katie Couric attended a panel of the South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival 

The session focused on the dangers and mental health issues associated with social media

South by Southwest, also referred to as SXSW, is an annual festival that celebrates the convergence of technology, film, music, education and culture, being held from March 8-16. 

Meghan, described as a ‘visionary female leader’ by the organisers, is the headliner of the keynote event on today, which is also International Women’s Day.

According to organisers, the session is presented by Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation and The 19th, a US nonprofit newsroom that reports on gender, politics and policy.

It comes as it was revealed the Duchess has reached out to PR gurus in the UK in a bid to improve her and Archewell’s reputation. 

Announcing its panel of ‘visionary’ women, the festival confirmed the session would focus on the dangers and mental health issues associated with social media users amongst teenage girls.

The session, titled Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen, is being moderated by Errin Haines, host of The Amendment podcast, and also attended by pop culture expert Nancy Wang Yuen. 

Dubbed ‘Mr Soho House’, Markus is often referred to as the ‘second most important man’ in Meghan’s life – and was instrumental in getting Harry and Meghan together.