On June 24, 2024, the serene beaches of Fairfield, Connecticut, became the scene of a chilling event.
Former Royal Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of her two young children. The idyllic setting of Long Island Sound starkly contrasted with the gravity of the allegations.
Eyewitnesses reported that Meghan was seen dragging her three-year-old son, Archie, and one-year-old daughter, Lilibet, into the turbulent waters of Long Island Sound on a Saturday afternoon. Beachgoers, alarmed by the scene, immediately called emergency services. The police arrived within minutes.
“She was just walking right into the water, holding the kids under,” said Tiffany Wilcox, a local resident present at the beach with her family. “The kids were screaming and thrashing. It was horrific to watch. I don’t know what possessed her to do something like that.”
When police reached Meghan, she and her children were submerged up to their necks. Officers quickly waded into the water and rescued all three. Archie and Lilibet were evaluated by paramedics and found to be unharmed but visibly shaken. Meghan, however, became combative with the officers and had to be physically restrained. She was arrested on the spot and remains in custody without bail on charges of attempted murder.
This shocking incident marks a dramatic fall from grace for the 42-year-old former actress. Just over a decade ago, Meghan captivated the world when she married Britain’s Prince Harry, joining the royal family in a fairy-tale wedding watched by millions. She was seen as a breath of fresh air for the centuries-old institution. However, tensions between Meghan and other royal family members, coupled with her struggles with mental health, soon began to dominate tabloid headlines.
In January 2020, Meghan and Harry announced their decision to step back from their royal duties and relocate to North America, a move seen by many as Meghan's attempt to escape the relentless scrutiny of the British press. Their subsequent interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they accused the palace of racism and lack of support, further damaged Meghan's public image.
Since then, Meghan has continued to court controversy. She and Harry have been involved in numerous high-profile legal battles, including suing various media outlets for invasion of privacy. Meghan has also faced criticism for her lavish lifestyle and perceived hypocrisy, speaking out on social justice and environmentalism while living in a multi-million-dollar mansion.
This latest incident has shattered any remaining goodwill toward Meghan. Authorities have not yet released a motive, but early reports suggest Meghan may have been suffering from a severe mental health crisis. “She just seemed completely unhinged, not at all like the poised, confident woman we’ve seen in interviews and on magazine covers,” Wilcox said. “She was yelling and thrashing around. It was terrifying to witness.”
Mental health experts have speculated that Meghan may have been experiencing postpartum depression or psychosis, conditions that can sometimes lead to thoughts of harming oneself or one’s children. However, these disorders are treatable, and many are shocked that Meghan allegedly resorted to such drastic measures. “Even the most severe postpartum mood disorders don’t typically result in this kind of violence,” said Dr. Emily Granger, a clinical psychologist who has not treated Meghan but has been following the case closely. “There is clearly something deeper going on here, some underlying issue that may have been bubbling under the surface for a long time.”
Those close to Meghan have hinted at her struggles with the intense scrutiny and pressure she has faced over the years. In the Oprah interview, she revealed experiencing suicidal thoughts during her time as a royal. In the years since, she has been open about the toll that public life has taken on her mental health. “I think what we’re seeing here is the culmination of years of unresolved trauma and anguish,” Dr. Granger said. “The demands of royal life, the constant media attention, the family tensions—it’s all reached a boiling point, and now we’re witnessing the tragic consequences.”
As the investigation continues, many are grappling with shock and sadness. Meghan was once hailed as a beacon of hope and progress for the monarchy, a modern woman who would help usher in a new era for the centuries-old institution. Now, she finds herself at the center of a horrific scandal, her reputation and legacy in tatters. The once-beloved Duchess now faces the very real possibility of spending the rest of her life behind bars. It is a stunning fall from grace, a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked mental illness and the intense pressures of fame.
