Meghan Markle has revealed she had a miscarriage in July, referring to the grief she felt as 'almost unbearable'.
In a first-person piece for the New York Times, Markle explained she had been looking after son Archie, who was born in May 2019, when she realised what was happening.
She wrote: "It was a July morning that began as ordinarily as any other day: Make breakfast. Feed the dogs. Take vitamins. Find that missing sock. Pick up the rogue crayon that rolled under the table. Throw my hair in a ponytail before getting my son from his crib.
Advert
"After changing his diaper, I felt a sharp cramp. I dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm, the cheerful tune a stark contrast to my sense that something was not right.
"I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second.
"Hours later, I lay in a hospital bed, holding my husband's hand. I felt the clamminess of his palm and kissed his knuckles, wet from both our tears. Staring at the cold white walls, my eyes glazed over. I tried to imagine how we'd heal."
Advert
In the article, titled 'The Losses We Share', Markle discussed the 'taboo' that surrounds miscarriage, despite being something faced by so many.
She continued: "Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few.
"In the pain of our loss, my husband and I discovered that in a room of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered from miscarriage. Yet despite the staggering commonality of this pain, the conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame, and perpetuating a cycle of solitary mourning."
Markle also called on people to 'commit to asking others, "Are you OK?"', arguing that we are now 'more connected than ever' because of what we have collectively endured this year.
Advert
Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, stepped down from their roles as working members of the Royal Family earlier this year.
In a statement released on their joint Instagram account, the pair wrote: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
"We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.
"It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment."
Featured Image Credit: PA