Helena Bonham Carter's Advice to Meghan Markle for Dealing With Media Scrutiny
\201cWhy put your self esteem in the hands of strangers?\201d

- Helena Bonham Carter, who plays Princess Margaret in Season 3 of The Crown, has offered her best advice to Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
- During her appearance on Watch What Happens Live, the actress shared her personal suggestions for dealing with negative press and media scrutiny.
- Prince Harry has previously spoken out about the troubling coverage that he and his wife have faced in the press since their relationship first began.
Helena Bonham Carter, currently starring as Princess Margaret in Season 3 of The Crown, is the cool aunt that we all deserve. An excellent dark lipstick collection, plus inside Harry Potter movie knowledge, and some seriously great advice, which the actress has been offering out to the Duchess of Sussex.
Appearing on Watch What Happens Live earlier this week, Bonham Carter shared a few words of wisdom on the topic of dealing with negative press, which may prove comforting to Meghan Markle. The 53-year-old actress, who has spent over 20 years in the public eye, said that she wished the royal “wouldn’t have to” pay attention to the difficult and often upsetting press around her and her husband, Prince Harry.
“All I’d say to her is, as soon as you become well known and in the public domain, you have to kind of accept that, possibly, you’re all that people think of you and write about you,” Bonham Carter shared.
“And whatever, that’s the problem about them and it’s not really about her,” she added.
Putting out maybe the coolest advice of all time, the actress said: “Why let the stranger - that was the most important or useful thing that somebody told me - [why put] your self esteem in the hands of strangers?”
Excuse me while I write this quote on everything I own.
It’s been a rough ride for the Duchess of Sussex, almost from the moment her relationship with Prince Harry was first announced. Having struggled with media scrutiny and negative press since the beginning, Meghan is now suing the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday for publishing sections of a private letter she wrote to her father.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Meanwhile, following a stern statement in 2016, Prince Harry recently issued a heartfelt and emotional letter on the matter. He connected the treatment of Meghan in the press to that of his late mother Princess Diana, and wrote: "I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been.”
Harry shared: ”My deepest fear is history repeating itself. 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. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORY
RELATED STORY
Lucy Wood spends most of her time writing about celebrity news, reading books, and waiting for the glorious day that she have enough millions for a pet sloth. She also has a YouTube channel on the go where she pretends to know things about fashion and life advice.
-
Meghan Shares Photos of Archie and Lilibet's Vibrant Red Hair
The little royals most definitely take after dad Prince Harry.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Former Royal Nanny Opens Up About George, Charlotte, and Louis
"You see how grounded they really are."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Travis Kelce Emerges in Las Vegas Without Taylor Swift
The "Blank Space" singer was nowhere to be seen.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's Vibrant Red Hair Is the Star of Meghan Markle's Latest Instagram Post
The little royals most definitely take after dad Prince Harry.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Princess Lilibet's Cute American Accent Is on Full Display as She Taste-Tests Mom Meghan Markle's Jam
The little royal gave her honest review in a seriously sweet Instagram video.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Make Poignant NYC Appearance to Highlight "Heartbreak" No Parent Should Face
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled a powerful memorial to children lost too soon.
By Kristin Contino
-
Prince Harry Gave Nephew Prince Louis an Extremely Rare Five-Figure Gift for His Christening
Uncle Harry for the gifting win.
By Kristin Contino
-
Meghan Markle Means Business in a $5,000 Ralph Lauren Linen Suit and Princess Diana's Tennis Bracelet
The Duchess of Sussex delivered spring workwear inspo at the 'TIME'100 Summit.
By Kristin Contino
-
Meghan Markle's Boxed Hair Dye Disaster During the Pandemic Left Her Looking "Elvira-Esque"
"I thought, ‘I'm gonna look just like she does on the box.'"
By Kristin Contino
-
Meghan Markle's White Easter Shirt Dress Is the Ultimate Spring Staple
The Duchess of Sussex wore a breezy button-down style to celebrate the holiday.
By Kristin Contino
-
The "Nerve-Racking" Meeting King Charles's Cousin Had With Princess Diana
"I could have been a complete idiot."
By Amy Mackelden