The Duke and Duchess of Sussex filmed a sit-down interview with Jane Pauley

Meghan Markle was visibly taken aback when questioned about her past trauma during a recent interview.

In a sit-down conversation with Jane Pauley for CBS Sunday Morning, which aired today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex discussed their new initiative focused on children and social media, set to launch next week.

During the interview, Meghan, celebrating her 43rd birthday today, and Harry, 39, elaborated on their ongoing work with parents who have lost children to online bullying and abuse.

Pauley referenced the couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where Meghan revealed she had considered suicide while serving as a member of the Royal Family.

The interviewer alluded to the fact that Meghan and Harry could relate to the grieving parents, as the duke and duchess have experienced “loss” and “tragedies”.

Pauley said to Meghan: “You had an experience that connects you to these families and I see you touch your husband’s hand in just the way I knew that you would be looking after each other.

“The connection that you have with people is they know you had suffered too, personally, contemplating killing yourself, is what suicidal ideation was.”

Pauley referenced Meghan’s discomfort: “I’m dancing around this because I can see you’re uncomfortable with me even going there.”

The 43-year-old replied: “I understand why you are though. I wasn’t expecting it, but I understand why you are.”

Sunday’s TV special marks the Sussexes’ first joint interview since their bombshell sit-down with Winfrey, when they threw a series of accusations at the Royal Family.

This included claims that a senior royal had “concerns” about Prince Archie’s skin colour before his birth in 2019.

A CBS spokesperson said: “The Duke and Duchess sat down with ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ host Jane Pauley last week for an exclusive interview to introduce a program aimed at supporting parents whose children have been impacted by online harm.

“Jane also spoke with parents participating in the pilot program who described how it has helped their healing process.”