Clea Harmer, Chief Executive at Sands, said:

“We are so very sorry to hear that Meghan and Harry went through the pain of losing their second baby in July. Our hearts go out to them and all who have been affected by this cruellest of bereavements.

“Meghan sums up the pain of pregnancy and baby loss perfectly when she says ‘Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few’. The sad reality is that stigma surrounding pregnancy loss and baby death leaves many parents feeling isolated, so it helps enormously when someone in the public eye speaks out as it lets everyone affected know they are not alone.

“Going through this grief at any time is hard enough but the isolation we have all felt this year has made it even more difficult for parents whose baby has died during the COVID-19 pandemic and has brought back painful emotions for all those who have lost precious loved ones.

“Many people simply don’t know what to say when a baby has died. And because it is an ‘invisible’ loss many mothers go through miscarriage and may never reveal what happened to even their family or closest friends. But we can all make a difference simply by asking, as Meghan suggests, if someone we know is OK and by saying how sorry we are. The other person may not want to talk but they will know you care, and if they do want to talk it may be the start of a journey through their grief.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic began we have heard heart-breaking stories of mothers having to attend appointments and scans alone, or receiving bad news without their partner beside them. Sands has been sharing these insights with the NHS and Government and the outcome is that many of these issues are now being tackled.”

Sands is here to support anyone affected by the death of a baby. Sands’ free Helpline is available on 0808 164 3332 or helpline@sands.org.uk from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 6pm to 9pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Visit www.sands.org.uk/support for more information.