If you haven’t heard the name “Meghan Markle” at least once in the past week, we’d be very surprised.
The Duchess of Sussex has been at the centre of explosive bullying allegations, originally reported by The Times, and naturally picked up, pulled apart, scrutinised and headlined by every tabloid you can name.
The serious claims have suggested Meghan bullied royal aides to the point of them quitting. A current royal staffer Jason Knauf, who now works with Duchess Catherine and Prince William, might we add, was behind the whistle blowing.
But the truth behind said allegations are very much yet to be confirmed.
When you look at it from the surface, the claims tend to paint a very convenient picture for the Palace.
Indeed, the bullying allegations came just days before a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey was set to air, where Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry are expected to reveal their entire experience (warts and all) from their days as working royals.
This has led many to believe Jason’s conveniently timed admission about Meghan is all part of a bigger picture campaign to smear the Duchess’ image, with an aim to give her less authority when the contents of her interview with the iconic talk show host are revealed.
Meghan and Harry speak out about their own experience in the Palace during a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.
(CBS)In another development, a new movement has also emerged, one likely unprecedented by the Palace.
Indeed, it seems some people have seen right through this so-called smear campaign, and Meghan’s legion of followers are standing up and speaking out against the blatant racism and injustices Duchess Meghan has been subject to by the media since day dot.
These injustices might also be linked back to the Palace itself, with a short teaser from Meghan’s Oprah interview sharing an explosive quote from the royal herself: “I don’t know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.”
With that said, leading the pack of those in support of Meghan are her very best friends – some of whom have shared some incredible never-before seen pics of the ‘real’ Meghan – living the life she fights for as a mother and friend, first and foremost.
Keep scrolling as we look at some of the most powerful messages of support.
Meghan has a flurry of support behind her.
(Getty)Duchess Meghan’s long-time close friend Silver Tree, who is a director, shared a gorgeous series of images along with a stirring caption.
“This is Meg. A real person- not a cover story. She is one of my very nearest and dearest. Like all her friends I love her madly.
She is the friend who insists on always hearing the details of your life, your day, your kids life, your kids day, before hers. Always before hers.”
In the candid, personal images from Silver Tree, one included little Archie – fans immediately flocked to the picture in awe of how much he’s grown. He also looks like the perfect mix of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan – with Harry’s bright red hair, and Meghan’s unmistakable eyes.
While she later deleted the image, a number of fans had already screenshot it. You can view the original image at the bottom of the below post.
Meghan’s close friend from college also spoke up.
In a post by producer and author Lindsay Roth, she wrote: “Meg’s M.O. has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones. I know this to be true after 22 years of very close friendship. I have seen firsthand how she treats her friends and their families, and her colleagues.”
She continued: “If she’s driving with you in the passenger seat, she will fling her right arm in front of you at the slightest bump in a gesture of love to ensure your safety. If you have a specific goal, she will help you get there, and your passions will become hers on your behalf. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Meg – and I hope more of you do – you will see the altruistic, magnanimous friend who I am so lucky to have in my corner.”
And Meghan’s former Suits co-stars and team also came forward with their own anecdotes about the Duchess.
Patrick J Adams who played the main character and Meghan’s love interest throughout the series described her as “A powerful woman with a deep sense of morality and a fierce work ethic and has never been afraid to speak up, be heard and defend herself and those she holds dear.”
He continued: “Like the rest of the world, I have watched her navigate the last few years in astonishment. She fell in love, moved to a new country, became a household name across the entire globe and began the difficult work of trying to find her place in a family dynamic that can at best be described as complicated and at worst, seemingly archaic and toxic.”
He also commented on what he described as sickening “racist, slanderous, click baiting vitriol spewed in her direction from all manner of media across the UK and the world”.
Another co-star, Abigail Spencer also weighed in.
“I’ve learned so much from Meg. The power of a handwritten note. The loveliness of surprise flowers. That she has a perpetual rolodex in her brain of recommendations for the heart, soul, & body. When I’m headed to a new town, there’s a hotel or dinner reservation at the ready, as well as a connection with one of her friends to show me around so I feel less alone.
“She’s been there for me – and physically held me – in my darkest hours: After my dad died. After a gut wrenching break up she brought me into her home & nursed me back to health. Soup & salad waiting in the kitchen, just, if I needed it. She’s taken my son in as her own. I can’t tell you the value of having another working mother I can lean on when with the pressures of visibility & child-rearing woes become overwhelming. She’s always been a safe harbor for me, someone I can fall apart in front of… and with.”
And another of Meghan’s friends – Janina Gavankar who was the talent behind Meghan and Harry’s first Christmas card pic back in 2019, shared on Twitter, “I have known Meghan for 17 years.
“Here’s what she is: kind, strong, open. Here’s what she’s not: “a bully”. ANY of us who know her, feel the same thing from her broken silence: Relief. The truth shall set you free,” she finished.
Of course, this is just a small snapshot of the messages in support of Meghan.
It’s also patently clear she has a legion of fans and followers who definitely aren’t buying into the bullying allegations, with hundreds of thousands of Instagram re-posts, shares and personalised messages in support for the Duchess, who, it has to be said, has been the victim of scrutiny and online abuse far greater than any can fathom.
The plain and clear fact that this abuse is entrenched in outright racism is sickening to see. But as this movement in support of Meghan grows, so too does our knowledge and armour to call out and fight against inequality.
There are always two sides to every story – and Meghan’s voice deserves to be heard, to cut-through the noise of outdated traditions and so-called protocol as has been synonymous to The Firm to this day.
Now, finally, it seems more people than ever are listening to her. Let’s take note of her words, and learn from them.
