Meghan Markle’s friends have passionately defended her after ‘bullying’ claims emerge

After Meghan Markle was hit with shocking bullying claims this week, a bunch of her friends have defended her with their own blistering statements.

As Meghan Markle has become the subject of bullying claims from the palace this week, a handful of her friends have come out to defend her – including actresses Jameela Jamil, Janina Gavankar and Meghan’s college BFF Lindsay Roth.

In a bombshell report by The Times of London this week, the Duchess of Sussex was accused of bullying several members of her staff prior to, and after, her 2018 royal wedding with Prince Harry.

Actress Janina Gavankar publicly defended Meghan with a blistering statement 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.

— janina gavankar (@Janina) March 4, 2021

“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 wrote.

Janina Gavankar attending the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. Picture: Getty Images

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Gavankar spoke about her long friendship with Meghan when she and Harry decided to step down as senior members of the royal family, Gavankar was in full support of their decision.

“I’m just thankful for those who are supportive,” the actress said to the publication. “Nothing’s changed. She’s amazing and always has been.”

Meghan and Janina go way back. Picture: Instagram

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Fellow actress Jameela Jamil has also come out with her own statement, questioning why the palace would sit on these accusations for years, choosing to air them now.

“So lemme just get this straight. The palace were fine with all of Meghan’s ‘bullying’ for years and years until a few days before they fear she may out them publicly,” Jamil said on Twitter on Thursday. “Seems like a legit claim.”

Meghan’s college best friend Lindsay Roth also came to her defence, writing a lengthy post.

“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 first-hand how she treats her friends and their families, and her colleagues.

“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.”

She continued: “She was this woman when we were students together at Northwestern University; she was this woman in Los Angeles when her days were spent auditioning; she was this woman living in Toronto as Rachel Zane on Suits; she was this woman before you knew she was dating Harry; she was this woman after you knew was dating Harry; she was this woman when she became Duchess of Sussex and she is still – without a doubt – this very same woman today.”

Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris also sent out her support for Meghan.

Harris took to Twitter with biting words:

“Keep Meghan Markle’s name out of your damn mouth. You are racist.”

“Just added the Oprah interview to my calendar as an ALL-DAY EVENT,” she added.

Keep Meghan Markle's name out of your damn mouth. You are racist.

— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) March 3, 2021

Just added the Oprah interview to my calendar as an ALL-DAY EVENT

— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) March 3, 2021

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hit back at Buckingham Palace in a public statement.

The Times of London revealed the Duchess of Sussex had been the subject of an official bullying complaint in October 2018, which accused her of mistreating her staff.

The public reveal of the claims almost two-and-a-half years later comes days before Harry and Meghan’s two-hour tell-all interview with Winfrey, which will air on 7.30pm Monday on Ten here in Australia.

An explosive new clip from the interview sees Meghan slamming “the Firm” for “perpetuating falsehoods about us,” declaring that she will not be silenced.

Responding to The Times’ story, the Sussexes’ lawyers told the newspaper it was “being used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative”.

“Let’s just call this what it is: A calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation,” a spokesperson for the couple said in a statement.

Through lawyers, the couple have called the claims an ‘attack on Meghan’s character’. Picture: CBS

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“We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of the Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet.

“It’s no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining the Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and the Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.

“The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.

“She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.”

Buckingham Palace says it will investigate the bullying allegations against Meghan. Picture: AFP

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In turn, Buckingham Palace has announced its HR team will investigate the allegations, which came to light as sources told The Times that Meghan had reduced staffers to tears when she lived at Kensington Palace following her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.

“We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” the palace said in a statement after The Times article was published.

“Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.

“The royal household has had a dignity at work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”

Two senior members of palace staff were allegedly bullied into leaving their jobs, while another royal aide who had been anticipating a confrontation with Meghan allegedly told a colleague: “I can’t stop shaking.” A third former aide alleged they were “humiliated” by Meghan, while another described the Duchess’ alleged behaviour as “more like emotional cruelty and manipulation, which I guess could also be called bullying”.