Hillary Clinton says the Duchess of Sussex has received racist and sexist treatment since joining royal family

Hillary Clinton has given an impassioned defence of the Duchess of Sussex, saying that “she deserves a lot better”.

Hillary Clinton wants to hug the Duchess of Sussex over her “racist and sexist” treatment.

The Sun reports that the former US First Lady and secretary of state said it was “heartbreaking and wrong”.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Picture: Getty

Former US First Lady Hillary Clinton. Picture: AP

Mrs Clinton, visiting Britain with daughter Chelsea, said the duchess had “absolutely” faced a racially charged backlash after her relationship with Harry began in 2016.

“On social media when the engagement was announced, race was clearly an element in it. And to think that some of your – what we would call mainstream – media actually allowed that to be printed in their pages, or amplified, was heartbreaking and wrong,” she said. “I feel as a mother I just want to put my arms around her. Oh my God, I want to hug her!

Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton speak onstage about their new book The Book of Gutsy Women. Picture: Getty

“I want to tell her to hang in there, don’t let those bad guys get you down. Keep going, do what you think is right.”

“You know, it’s not easy. And there are some techniques that can be learned along the way, some humour, some deflection, whatever, which I’m sure she will come to. But it is tough what she is going through. And I think she deserves a lot better,” she said.

Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential rival also said that American-born Meghan “has made her own way in the world.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Picture: Getty

She added about the royal bride: “And then she falls in love, and he falls in love with her, and everybody should be celebrating that because it is a true love story. You can just look at them and see that.”

The Clintons are in the UK to plug their new Book Of Gutsy Women.

Former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Picture: Getty

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Asked why Margaret Thatcher was not in it, they said she had “very little interest” in making a positive difference.

“She doesn’t fit the other part of the definition, in our opinion, which really is knocking down barriers for others, and trying to make a positive difference. I think the record is mixed with her,” she said.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission