Meghan and Harry ‘to abandon social media over haters’
THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly grown so disillusioned by the hate they encounter on social media that they will no longer use platforms such as Twitter or Facebook.
Harry and Meghan, who amassed more than 10 million Instagram followers as working Royals, will now use other media as part of their new ‘progressive role’ in America, it is claimed.
One source close to the couple told the Sunday Times they had ‘no plans’ to use social media for their new Archewell Foundation and were ‘very unlikely’ to return to platforms in a personal capacity.
Just two weeks ago, they used a charity’s social media account to publicise their Christmas card – a stylised photo of them with 20month-old son Archie – and were happy for Spotify to use their social media platforms to promote their new podcast.
The couple now intend to use video messages and television interviews to promote their Archewell Foundation and public appearances. Previously both Harry and Meghan had personal Instagram and Twitter accounts besides their official Royal platform, and in the past were known to read much of what was written about them online.
News of their decision emerged after Donald Trump was permanently suspended from Twitter on Friday ‘due to the risk of further incitement of violence’.
Michelle Obama tweeted on Thursday that Silicon Valley companies should stop enabling the US President’s ‘monstrous behaviour’.
The Queen, Prince of Wales,
Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other senior Royals often use Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to promote their official and charitable work.
Before her marriage to Harry in 2018, Meghan had a prolific social media presence, with 1.9 million followers on Instagram, 350,000 on Twitter and 800,000 likes on her
Facebook page. She also had a lifestyle website and blog called The Tig. She used the sites for her commercial fashion and beauty partnerships, to promote her friends’ businesses, and to offer food and travel tips.
But since their move to America, the Sussexes have been increasingly outspoken about the pitfalls of social media and Meghan, 39, has referred to being ‘the most trolled person in the world’. During a virtual summit for American publication Fortune last year, she said social media users were like ‘people addicted to drugs’. Meanwhile in an article for American magazine Fast Company, Harry, 36, said: ‘The digital landscape is unwell.’