Meghan Markle opens up about the impact media scrutiny has had on her

In a rare interview, Meghan Markle has spoken candidly about the impact of the intense media scrutiny she's faced since joining the Royal Family.

In a preview of an upcoming ITV documentary, the Duchess of Sussex was asked about the impact on her "physical and mental health of all the pressure" she's been under.

"Look, any woman, especially when they're pregnant, you're really vulnerable. So, that was made really challenging. And then when you have a newborn, you know?" she told ITV anchor Tom Bradby.

"Especially as a woman it's really, it's a lot. So, you add this on top of just trying to be a new mum or trying to be a newlywed..." the Duchess added.

"Also thank you for asking because not many people have asked if I'm ok," she said. "But it's a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes."

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Bradby asked if it was fair to say that she's "not really ok" and that "it's really been a struggle," the Duchess responded with a simple "yes."

Bradby travelled with Harry, Meghan, and Archie during their royal tour of Africa. The interview is part of an ITV documentary called Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, which airs in the UK on Sunday at 9pm.

During the royal tour, Prince Harry released a personal statement that the couple are suing The Mail and its parent company Associated Newspapers.

"I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person," wrote the Duke of Sussex in the statement.

"I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces."