Meghan Markle has been ripped apart [1] by British tabloids ever since she joined the royal family, and while she doesn't want everyone to "love her," she just wants to be heard. The Duchess of Sussex recently made a surprise visit to London's Luminary Bakery, where she gave a rare interview to The Telegraph's Bryony Gordon [2]. She reportedly told Bryony that having people love her isn't what's important to her, she just wants people to listen, especially when she's speaking about important issues like mental health. Meghan also got candid and said she's in the middle of "weaning, feeding, and an almost permanent state of exhaustion," as she cares for her nearly 6-month-old son Archie [3].
Luminary Bakery is a grassroots organisation that helps empower disadvantaged women through training and employment opportunities. Meghan previously featured the business in the September issue of British Vogue [4]. During the event, Meghan seemed totally in her element as she spent time with the women and enjoyed some of their delicious baked goods.
"One of the things I have realised since being here [in the UK] is that people have an expectation when I'm coming somewhere, so I'm like, 'Let's just be really relaxed, keep everyone nice and chilled, because at the end of the day we're all just women,'" Meghan said. "We all have a story to tell, and I feel honoured that I am getting to hear yours . . . I find that when you strip all the layers away, as people, and especially as women, we can find deep connection with each other, and a shared understanding."
Meghan and Prince Harry recently filed a claim [6] against British tabloid company Associated Newspapers (Mail on Sunday's parent company) for publishing a private letter from Meghan and sued News UK [7] (who owns The Sun) and MGN (who formerly owned The Daily Mirror) over an alleged phone hacking.