Kate Middleton was targeted by revolting conspiracies - Meghan is not alone as a victim of abuse

The Duchess of Sussex's most recent engagement saw her join an empowering programme in Santa Barbara, California to encourage girls to improve their relationship with technology. While there, Meghan referred to herself as "one of the most bullied people in the world" as she spoke candidly about her experiences with bullying.

Given her vast platform and the growth of social media, the comments did not come as a surprise. However, a leading royal expert was quick to point out that Meghan is not unique in her experience as other female members of the Royal Family have gone through equal situations.

"I applaud the efforts that Meghan and Harry are making to help make the digital world a safer place especially for young people," former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond began as she exclusively spoke to OK! "And I am truly sorry that Meghan was subjected to abuse and bullying during her pregnancies and beyond.

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"No-one should have to read disgusting abuse like that at any point in their lives. Sadly, though, Meghan is not alone in being bullied. Remember the press abuse of Fergie as the Duchess of Pork? Remember the insults thrown at Catherine…”waity Katie”?

"And what about the recent and current abuse of the Princess of Wales, forcing her to reveal she was undergoing cancer treatment. Even then her broadcast didn’t stop the revolting conspiracy theories on social media. Meghan is far from alone in being a victim of abuse. But good on her for trying to do something about it."

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Jennie's comments come after Meghan opened up about being "one of the most bullied people in the world" during a visit to a group of teenagers, according to a charity boss. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, spent an afternoon with Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara on October 2, engaging in arts and crafts and supporting their new digital-wellness programme, Social Media U.

The non-profit organisation Girls Inc, which aims to empower girls, partnered with #HalfTheStory, a campaign focused on improving young people's relationship with technology, to launch the programme. Larissa May, founder of #HalfTheStory, shared with Vanity Fair that Meghan spoke candidly about her experiences with bullying.

She said: "We did an activity where we talked through a bunch of different scenarios, and Meghan talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world. We had girls wave these little emoji signs and talk about how each one of these scenarios would have impacted them emotionally."

Ms May added: "We talked about what it really means to grow up in this digital age," The Social Media U curriculum is designed to encourage teens to socialise without screens, while also teaching them how to use technology creatively and positively.

The curriculum, which the Duchess helped test during her visit, has received financial backing from Meghan and Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation, the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, and Melissa French Gates's Pvitoral Ventures. This is not the first time Meghan has spoken out about being a victim of online bullying.

At the SXSW festival in March this year, the Duchess revealed that she was subjected to "hateful" messages while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet. She had been invited to the Texas festival to discuss "breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes".

During her talk, she spoke about her social media use, stating that the worst abuse she received occurred while she was pregnant with her two young children. "I keep my distance from it right now for my wellbeing but the bulk of the bullying and abuse I was experiencing in social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili, and with a newborn, with each of them," she said.

"You just think about that and to wrap your head about why people would be so hateful. It's not catty it's cruel. Why you would do that when you're pregnant or as a mom it's such a tender and sacred time."

She added: "You could succumb to it, or nearly succumb to how painful that is. Or maybe because I was pregnant that mammalian instinct just kicks in to do everything you can to protect your child and as a result protect yourself too.'".