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Author Matt Haig has defended Meghan Markle amid the storm that followed her announcement with Prince Harry, which revealed that they would be stepping back as senior members of the royal family to focus on charity work and their family.
The writer, whose poem on mental health was featured in the Duchess of Sussex’s guest-edited Vogue issue in September, shared a thank you note he received from Meghan, 38, showcasing her flawless writing.
Revealing that he was keen to counterbalance the backlash the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had received, he described Meghan as ‘kind’ and joked that she had the ‘world’s best handwriting’.
In the September issue of British Vogue, Meghan hailed his poem, which is an ode from a beach telling swimmers not to be body-conscious.
Author Matt Haig has defended Meghan Markle (seen at Canada House last week) amid the storm that followed her announcement with Prince Harry that they would be stepping back as senior members of the royal family to focus on charity work and their family
Revealling that he was keen to counterbalance the backlash the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had received, he described Meghan as ‘kind’ and joked that she had the ‘world’s best handwriting’, sharing a snap of the thank you note she sent him last year
Sharing a picture of the note, Matt tweeted: ‘There is a lot of negative coverage of Meghan Markle today so can I counterbalance this by saying she is not only kind, but also has the world’s best handwriting.’
In the note, written in calligraphy on a monogrammed ‘M’ card, Meghan praised his book ‘A note from the beach’ as a ‘household favourite’.
The note reads: ‘Dear Matt, since reading ‘Notes on a Nervous Planet’ last fall, it instantly became a household favourite.
‘When I knew I would be guest editing the September issue of British Vogue I knew you had to be a part of it.
‘Thank you for being a force for change. The world needs more of you!’
The writer, whose poem on mental health was featured in the Duchess of Sussex’s guest-edited Vogue issue in September, shared a thank you note he received from Meghan, 38, showcasing her flawless writing
Meghan Markle has revealed her favourite poem is ‘A note from the beach’ by Matt Haig which tells swimmers not to be so body-conscious
In the September issue of British Vogue, Meghan hailed his poem, which is an ode from a beach telling swimmers not to be body-conscious
Matt’s defence comes a week after Meghan and Prince Harry, 35, revealed they would be stepping back from royal duties.
Taking to their Sussex Royal Instagram account on Thursday, they 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. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
‘This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.
‘We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties.
Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.’
The announcement was met with a mixed response, with some expressing their disappointment at seeing less of the couple, while others admitted they ‘weren’t surprised’ at the move.
Reacting to the news at the time, Matt defended the couple, writing: ‘Meghan and Harry [are told that if they] don’t like the attention they should take a back seat. [Then] Meghan and Harry: *take a back seat* [and are told] How dare they take a back seat!’.
Elsewhere another follower wrote: ‘Best decision you can make for your family Harry, good on you’.
‘Good for them’, another said. ‘If Princess Diana had done the same thing she’d still be alive. Harry has always been the black sheep of that family, and has always wanted to leave. Well done!’.
Writing in Vogue last year, Meghan introduced Matt’s piece by saying: ‘A personal favourite and the best reminder during the summer season… or any season, as a matter of fact.’
Haig is a prominent mental health advocate who has been open with his struggles in a bid to help others going through the same thing.
In his mid-20s, he struggled with depression and anxiety, and nearly took his own life.
He added that Meghan’s choice to include his piece is a ‘surreal honour’ and that he is glad she ‘digs my stupid humour.’
‘This whole year feels like an impossible dream to be honest. Probably means I’m about to have a piano land on my head.’
After fighting his way back from the brink, Haig turned his experiences into a best-selling memoir – Reasons To Stay Alive.
His follow-up book, Notes on a Nervous Planet, deals with how technological advances and social media can exacerbate underlying mental health issues.
The piece the duchess chose comes from Notes on a Nervous Planet, and comes from the perspective of the beach itself.
It reads: ‘I literally don’t give a f***. I am entirely indifferent to your body mass index.’
It continues: ‘Even the other people on the beach don’t care about your body. They don’t. They are staring at the sea, or they are obsessed with their own appearance.’
