World / I just didn't want to be alive anymore: Meghan Markle on life as a Royal

New York: Meghan Markle opened up about battling suicidal thoughts, Prince Harry disclosed a painful rift with his father -- and both settled a fair few scores in their history-making interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The gloves came off as the pair lifted the veil on their dramatic exit from royal life, holding little back as they alleged racism in royal ranks, and a campaign of lies targeting Meghan.

But there was tenderness too as the pair spoke of their present-day happiness -- and revealed the gender of their second child.

'Didn't want to be alive'

Opening up on a barrage of negative media coverage she faced as part of the royal family, Meghan, 39, said the British press drove her to the point where life no longer seemed worth living.

"I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. And I... just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought," she told Winfrey in the two-hour CBS spot.

Asked by Winfrey if she was having suicidal thoughts while pregnant with her first child, Meghan replied "Yes. This was very, very clear."

Meghan said she approached the palace to tell them she was having a mental health crisis.

"I went to one of the most senior people just to -- to get help," she said. "I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution."

Meghan said she ultimately reached out to one of the late Princess Diana's best friends for support.

"Who else could understand what's -- what it's actually like on the inside?"