MEGHAN Markle has dropped the first episode of her podcast and revealed a “scary” health battle.
The Duchess, 43, kicked off the first instalment of her highly anticipated project – Confessions Of A Female Founder – today.
The mum-of-two sat down with her friend, Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, 35.
Alongside the launch of the first episode, the Duchess also shared some pictures on Instagram from her childhood.
She captioned them: “Being an entrepreneur can start young. (By the way, all these years later and I’m still selling cookies!)”
Meghan’s podcast dropped hours before Harry arrived at the High Court in London.
The Duke is here to fight yet another court case in a bid for taxpayers to pay for armed guards.
And, we have revealed how he did not meet with father King Charles on his visit.
During the podcast, Meghan opened up about her experiences of motherhood and her postpartum preeclampsia.
“We both had very similar experiences — though we didn’t know each other at the time — with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia,” she shared.
“It’s so rare and so scary,” Meghan continued.
“And you’re still trying to juggle all of these things, and the world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly. And in the quiet, you’re still trying to show up for people – mostly for your children — but those things are huge medical scares.”
Whitney added: “I mean life or death, truly.”
Postpartum pre-eclampsia is a serious condition where high blood pressure and protein in the urine develop after childbirth, potentially leading to seizures and other complications if left untreated.
According to the NHS, symptoms for post-partum pre-eclampsia include severe headaches, vision problems, pain below the ribs, vomiting and sudden swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands.
Meghan didn’t reveal whether she suffered from the scary condition after the birth of Archie, now five, or Lilibet, aged three.
This is not the first time the Duchess has opened up about her struggles along the road of motherhood.
In 2020, Meghan wrote a piece for the New York Times detailing her tragic miscarriage.
She said she lost her baby in July 2020, a year after son Archie was born.
In the article, she described the feeling as “an almost unbearable grief.”
“I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second.”
During Meghan and Whitney’s chat, the Bumble CEO also touched on the photoshoot that announced Prince Archie’s arrival.
It comes as….
- Meghan Markle revealed her “scary” postpartum health battle with postpartum preeclampsia
- The Duchess gave insights into her children’s’ routines -including Lilibet’s naps
- She shared how thinking about As Ever keeps her awake at night
- Harry arrived at court in the UK just hours after the podcast dropped
- The Duke did not meet with dad King Charles on his visit
Harry and his wife posed up with their newborn just two days after the birth, as is tradition with William and Kate.
Whitney hailed Meghan and said: “I’ll never forget the image of you after you delivered Archie, and the whole world was waiting for his debut.
“I was either just becoming or about to become a new mom, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, how is this woman doing this? How is this woman putting on heels and going and debuting a child in this, you know, beautiful outfit in front of the entire world?’
“I could barely face a doorbell delivery for takeout food in a robe.”
The Bumble founder also praised the Duchess for how she handed being in the public eye.
“I do think there is so much to be said for your ability to exist, even in the presence of that,” she said.
“It takes a very strong cookie. When I was going through the media storm and being called this and that, and this and that, at Tinder, I didn’t leave my house for, like, a month and a half.”
MUM LIFE
Talking more candidly about their family life, the Duchess revealed daughter Lili still naps and only does half days at preschool.
“If she wakes up and wants to find me, she knows where to find me, even if my door is closed to the office,” added the mum-of-two, who hailed working from home.
“She’ll be sitting there on my lap during one of these meetings with a grid of all the executives… I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I don’t want to miss those moments. I don’t want to miss pickup if I don’t have to. I don’t want to miss drop-off.”
What is postpartum pre-eclampsia?
POSTPARTUM pre-eclampsia is a rare but serious condition that’s similar to pre-eclampsia, which occurs during pregnancy, but it develops after the baby is born.
The condition affects roughly one to five in 100 pregnancies in the UK, with severe cases occurring in about 1-2 per cent of pregnancies.
Like pre-eclampsia, postpartum pre-eclampsia is marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, but other symptoms can include severe headaches, vision changes, swelling, and upper abdominal pain.
While most cases occur within the first 48 hours after delivery, postpartum pre-eclampsia can develop up to six weeks postpartum.
While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, risk factors for the condition include a history of pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure during pregnancy, obesity, and pregnancy with multiples.
Pre-eclampsia requires prompt medical attention. Left untreated it can cause serious complications including seizures, stroke, pulmonary edema, HELLP syndrome, and organ damage.
Treatment typically involves medications to control blood pressure and other measures to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
If you suspect postpartum pre-eclampsia, seek immediate medical attention immediately by contacting your healthcare provider or heading to A&E.
Meghan shared how she loves the balance between raising her kids and growing businesses.
She said “both are just as important” and “really high value for the world”.
Whitney agreed and said: “Technology is a beautiful tool for parents because you can dial in and be present and do a great job on the call while you sit in the carpool line outside school.
“Like, why do I need to be at a desk? I have the same mental opinion in a carpool line.”
The podcast will feature eight episodes and focus on Meghan’s journey as an entrepreneur.
AS EVER LAUNCH
Meghan’s podcast meanwhile follows her eight-part Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which saw her making meals and crafting with Hollywood pals.
Whitney also alluded to the Duchess’ hosting skills during their chat.
She said: “When you go to your home, you’re, like, engulfed in love and coziness, just carry — you — through, and the rest writes itself.”
The new podcast which succeeds her first and failed, Archetypes, sees the mum-of-two chatting to small business owners and how they grew their empires.
Meghan also told the New York Times in an email: ‘I hope ‘Confessions of a Female Founder’ reminds listeners they’re not alone.
“These are honest conversations with women who’ve built from the ground up, faced challenges and kept going.“
It goes hand-in-hand with the launch of her As Ever products, including £22 honey and £11 jam.
Within half-an-hour the range was out of stock, prompting Meghan to post on Instagram: “Our shelves may be empty, but my heart is full!”
Fans snapped up the raspberry preserve, which is marketed as a “luscious fruit-forward spread” in “elegant keepsake packaging”.
Shoppers also rushed to nab £9 teas, with flavours including lemon ginger, peppermint and hibiscus.
Theses were sold out alongside £12 flower sprinkles – promoted in endless shots throughout her Netflix show.
Meg's limited edition product list
Meghan’s first As Ever products are now available across the US. They include:
- Raspberry Spread in Keepsake Packaging– this is advertised as the “heart of the collection” and described as a “luscious, fruit forward spread”. It’s selling for $14 (£11)
- Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea – Meg fans can make a brew with “zesty flavour” for a “perfect morning ritual”, costing $12 (£9)
- Herbal Peppermint Tea – this tea is said to bring “the perfect moment of peace” and is good hot or iced for $12 (£9)
- Herbal Hibiscus Tea – another brew variable, this one is “lively” with a “sweet finish” and again costs $12 (£9)
- Flower Sprinkles – this niche product promises to “elevate any dish”, including omelettes and salads. It costs $15 (£12)
- Crepe Mix – Meg’s brand As Ever says her crepe mix represents “elegance made effortless” and is “perfect for a solo gourmet indulgence”. It’s selling for $14 (£11)
- Shortbread Cookie Mix with Flower Sprinkles Included – these are marketed as a “crumbly delight with a whimsical twist”, ideal for ice cream. They cost $14 (£11)
- Limited-Edition Wildflower Honey with Honeycomb – this product is said to “elevate everything” from yogurt and tea to roasted salmon. It costs $28 (£22)
Meanwhile, the mum-of-two’s £11 shortbread and crepe mixes were also unavailable in less than an hour.
However a source said: “This is simply a marketing ploy.
“You make a relatively small amount available so it all gets bought and then you can say it’s so popular it sold out.”
It is understood her products will likely be sold in Netflix Home stores.
The streaming giant revealed the first would be branches in Dallas and Pennsylvania.
The roll out of As Ever came after Meghan faced with several blows after fellow business owners, and a Majorcan mayor, accused the Duchess of plagiarism over the name and logo.
Meanwhile, Meghan has also released her own shopping page where fans can “buy her wardrobe” as her latest money-making venture.
She revealed she now has a “ShopMy” page featuring “a hand-picked and curated collection of the things I love — I hope you enjoy them”.
They include Heidi Merrick’s “Windsor” gown for an eye-watering £1,068, a £600 pair of Saint Laurent sandals, a £400 necklace and a £148 linen shirt.
All the clothes and accessories listed have links for followers to click and buy, and Meghan may get money when they do.
A disclaimer says: “Please note, some products may contain commissionable links!”
HARRY IN THE UK
As mentioned above, Meghan’s string of business pursuits come as Harry continues to fight his court case in the UK.
The dad-of-two claimed he was “singled out” after his round-the-clock royal protection was stripped in the wake of Megxit.
He also attempted to sue the Home Office because it refused to spend taxpayers’ money on bodyguards after he left the Royal Family.
But in February last year, High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the duke’s case and ruled Ravec’s approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair.
Harry has now returned to the court in London for a two-day appeal hearing against the ruling.
Meanwhile, Charles flew to Italy yesterday with Queen Camilla, for four days of official engagements.
It was not known if the Duke of Sussex met his dad after landing on Sunday.
He has not seen the King in person since the Monarch announced he had cancer last February.
