Helena Bonham Carter Offers Wise Words To Duchess Meghan

Let’s take a trip back to the early '80s when a young actress named Helena Bonham Carter burst onto the scene. Since then, she's seen her fair share of ups and downs in the world of fame. Recently, during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Helena gave some heartfelt advice to Duchess Meghan Markle about how to handle the relentless criticism that comes with being in the spotlight.

Advice From a Seasoned Pro

Helena, who’s now 53, shared her perspective with host Andy Cohen about the pressures of fame. “I don’t pay attention to it, and I wish she wouldn’t have to,” she said. “There’s just so much criticism out there; it’s overwhelming. It must be incredibly difficult for her not to take it in, but as soon as you become well-known and in the public eye, it’s a territory you sort of have to accept.”

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Helena, who’s currently playing the late Princess Margaret in season 3 of Netflix’s The Crown, also shared a piece of advice she once received. “Someone once told me, why are you putting your self-esteem in the hands of strangers?” she remarked. “It’s something I’ve carried with me through the years, and it’s a question I’d encourage Meghan to consider.”

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Understanding the Royal Spotlight

Even though Helena hasn’t met Duchess Meghan or Prince Harry in person, she understands what they’re going through. As someone who’s been in the public eye for decades, she’s accustomed to people offering their opinions on the royals. Since her role as Queen Elizabeth’s sister was announced, she’s faced her own share of scrutiny. “Everyone feels like they’re an authority,” Helena pointed out. “But unless you’ve actually met the person, maybe it’s best to keep your opinions to yourself.”

Life hasn’t been easy for Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, especially since the birth of their son, Archie, in May. As a mom herself—Helena has a 16-year-old son, Billy, and an 11-year-old daughter, Nell, with her ex-husband Tim Burton—she understands the challenges Meghan faces. “Being a new mom is tough enough, and then you throw in all the expectations and criticism that come with being in the public eye,” she noted. “It’s a lot, especially for a woman. Trying to balance being a new mom and a newlywed while dealing with all that noise—it’s a lot to handle.”

When asked about Meghan’s well-being, the former Suits star opened up to ITV News at Ten anchor Tom Bradby in the documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey. “Thank you for asking,” she said. “It’s important to check in on people and make sure they’re okay, because behind the scenes, there’s a lot going on that people don’t see. It’s a real thing, and I hope Meghan knows she’s not alone.”

Hopefully, Meghan will find comfort in Helena’s wise words and use them as a source of strength during challenging times.