Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has been accused of bullying by a former aide. AP
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has been accused of bullying by a former aide. AP
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has been accused of bullying by a former aide. AP
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has been accused of bullying by a former aide. AP

Meghan Markle's celebrity friends show support amid bullying allegations: from Jameela Jamil to Halle Berry


Katy Gillett
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Following accusations by royal aides that Meghan Markle bullied members of staff, a number of celebrities have offered a show of support over social media to the former actress.

The Times reported on Tuesday that the Duchess of Sussex faced a bullying complaint made by one of her closest advisers during her time at Kensington Palace. It claimed she drove two personal assistants out of the household and was allegedly "humiliating" a third staff member.

This comes before Prince Harry and Markle's "tell all" interview with Oprah Winfrey, which is set to air on Sunday in the US and Monday in the UK.

A spokesman for the Sussexes said they were the victims of a "calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation".

Now several celebrities have come out in support of the former Suits star on social media, including Roxane Gay, Jameela Jamil, Halle Berry and Patrick J Adams.

Chrissy Teigen, who recently shared her grief after suffering a miscarriage with her third pregnancy, shared her fears over the media's treatment of pregnant Markle, who also revealed she suffered a miscarriage last summer.

“This Meghan Markle [expletive] is hitting too close to home for me," the model said in a tweet. "These people won’t stop until she miscarries ... stop it.”

Gay, an American writer and author of The New York Times best-selling essay collection Bad Feminist, wrote on Twitter: "Those British papers really cannot tolerate that Prince Harry loves a black woman. He was right to leave. I don't even think it was a hard decision. They will never ever stop trying to tear Meghan apart. It's absolutely grotesque."

Actress Gabrielle Union, who has retweeted a number of relevant posts on the matter, posted a Brady Bunch GIF of Christine Taylor's Marcia Brady while sharing The Times's exclusive story.

Markle's Suits co-star and on-screen love interest Patrick J Adams, who played Mike Ross in the legal drama TV series, posted a number of tweets about the matter.

"Meghan Markle and I spent the better part of a decade working together on Suits," he writes in his first tweet. "From day one she was an enthusiastic, kind, cooperative, giving, joyful and supportive member of our television family. She remained that person and colleague as fame, prestige and power accrued."

In a later tweet, Adams writes that it's "obscene" for the royal family, whose "newest member is currently growing inside of her", is "amplifying accusations" of bullying against a woman who was "basically forced to flea the UK in order to protect her family and her own mental health".

Catwoman star Berry simply wrote: "It's still Protect Black Women."

Meanwhile, British actress and radio presenter Jameela Jamil also spoke out, tweeting: " If this is what the royal family is comfortable doing to a heavily pregnancy woman publicly.... can we even imagine what they put her through privately? They seem terrified. Her interview hasn’t even aired yet. What are they covering up? The stench of their desperation is rotten."

Markle and husband Prince Harry are scheduled to appear on CBS in a two-hour interview with Winfrey, entitled Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A Primetime Special.

It will be their first interview since stepping down from royal duties and since announcing Markle is pregnant with their second child.

A number of clips have aired before the interview, including one in which Markle accuses the Royal Family of "perpetuating lies".

Take a look through the gallery below to see how Markle's style has evolved since 2009.

  • Meghan Markle, in a black shirt and shorts, attends the DPA pre-Emmy gift lounge at the Peninsula Hotel on September 18, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in a black shirt and shorts, attends the DPA pre-Emmy gift lounge at the Peninsula Hotel on September 18, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in a pink mini dress, attends the Some Kind-a Gorgeous style and beauty lounge at the Chateau Marmont on August 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in a pink mini dress, attends the Some Kind-a Gorgeous style and beauty lounge at the Chateau Marmont on August 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in a navy lace dress, attends the USA Network's tour at the Pacific Design Centre on February 15, 2012 in West Hollywood, California. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in a navy lace dress, attends the USA Network's tour at the Pacific Design Centre on February 15, 2012 in West Hollywood, California. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in a grey midi dress, attends the WGC Hosts Party at the Windsor Arms Hotel on September 11, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in a grey midi dress, attends the WGC Hosts Party at the Windsor Arms Hotel on September 11, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in pink satin, attends the Rising Stars: Producers Ball during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in pink satin, attends the Rising Stars: Producers Ball during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in a terracotta gathered dress, arrives at the GQ Men of the Year Party at Chateau Marmont on November 13, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in a terracotta gathered dress, arrives at the GQ Men of the Year Party at Chateau Marmont on November 13, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in a fuchsia strapless dress, attends the Elle Women in Television Celebration at Soho House on January 24, 2013 in West Hollywood, California.AFP
    Meghan Markle, in a fuchsia strapless dress, attends the Elle Women in Television Celebration at Soho House on January 24, 2013 in West Hollywood, California.AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in a printed mini dress, attends a USA Network event at Pier 36 on May 16, 2013 in New York, US. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in a printed mini dress, attends a USA Network event at Pier 36 on May 16, 2013 in New York, US. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in an embellished LBD, attends the premiere of 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' at Odeon Leicester Square on November 11, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan Markle, in an embellished LBD, attends the premiere of 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' at Odeon Leicester Square on November 11, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan Markle, in a knotted strapless dress, attends the London Global Gift Gala at ME Hotel on November 19, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan Markle, in a knotted strapless dress, attends the London Global Gift Gala at ME Hotel on November 19, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan Markle, in Roland Mouret, attends the Elton John Aids Foundation's benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on October 28, 2014 in New York, US. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in Roland Mouret, attends the Elton John Aids Foundation's benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on October 28, 2014 in New York, US. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in Misha Nonoo, attends NBC's press day at Four Seasons Hotel New York on June 24, 2015 in New York, US. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in Misha Nonoo, attends NBC's press day at Four Seasons Hotel New York on June 24, 2015 in New York, US. AFP
  • Meghan Markle, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends Elle's 6th Annual Women In Television dinner at Sunset Tower Hotel on January 20, 2016 in West Hollywood, California. AFP
    Meghan Markle, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends Elle's 6th Annual Women In Television dinner at Sunset Tower Hotel on January 20, 2016 in West Hollywood, California. AFP
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a coat by Line The Label, announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a coat by Line The Label, announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a Mackage coat, visit Nottingham for their first official public engagement on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a Mackage coat, visit Nottingham for their first official public engagement on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in Burberry, arrive at Social Bite cafe in Rose Street on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in Burberry, arrive at Social Bite cafe in Rose Street on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty Images
  • Meghan Markle, in a J Crew coat, arrives in Birmingham, England, on March 8, 2018. Getty Images
    Meghan Markle, in a J Crew coat, arrives in Birmingham, England, on March 8, 2018. Getty Images
  • Meghan Markle, in a Greta Constantine skirt and Victoria Beckham jumper, during a walkabout on March 23, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
    Meghan Markle, in a Greta Constantine skirt and Victoria Beckham jumper, during a walkabout on March 23, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
  • Meghan Markle, in Max Mara, attends a reception with the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on April 18, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan Markle, in Max Mara, attends a reception with the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on April 18, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in Self-Portrait, attend the Invictus Games Reception at Australia House on April 21, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in Self-Portrait, attend the Invictus Games Reception at Australia House on April 21, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Meghan Markle, in Emilia Wickstead, and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince William, Meghan Markle, in Emilia Wickstead, and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, leave St George's Chapel after their wedding ceremony on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, leave St George's Chapel after their wedding ceremony on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
  • Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Goat, attend the Prince of Wales's 70th birthday celebration at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Goat, attend the Prince of Wales's 70th birthday celebration at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Brandon Maxwell, attends the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception at Marlborough House on July 5, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Brandon Maxwell, attends the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception at Marlborough House on July 5, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Dior, attends an event to mark the centenary of the RAF on July 10, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Dior, attends an event to mark the centenary of the RAF on July 10, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Oscar de la Renta, attend the Coach Core Awards held at Loughborough University on September 24, 2018 in Loughborough, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Oscar de la Renta, attend the Coach Core Awards held at Loughborough University on September 24, 2018 in Loughborough, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Hugo Boss skirt, and Prince Harry at The University of Chichester Tech Park during an official visit to Sussex on October 3, 2018 in Chichester, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Hugo Boss skirt, and Prince Harry at The University of Chichester Tech Park during an official visit to Sussex on October 3, 2018 in Chichester, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Martin Grant coat, arrive at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Martin Grant coat, arrive at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Martin Grant, visit Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Martin Grant, visit Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Emilia Wickstead, attend the official opening of the Anzac Memorial at Hyde Park on October 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Emilia Wickstead, attend the official opening of the Anzac Memorial at Hyde Park on October 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Safiyaa, arrive for a state dinner on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Safiyaa, arrive for a state dinner on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Figue, visits the University of the South Pacific on October 24, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Figue, visits the University of the South Pacific on October 24, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Self-Portrait, arrive at Fua'amotu Airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'Alofa, Tonga. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Self-Portrait, arrive at Fua'amotu Airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'Alofa, Tonga. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Oscar de la Renta, attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, Australia, on October 26, 2018. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Oscar de la Renta, attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, Australia, on October 26, 2018. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, arrive at a public walkabout at the Rotorua Government Gardens on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, arrive at a public walkabout at the Rotorua Government Gardens on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Sentaler coat, depart Birkenhead Town Hall on January 14, 2019 in Birkenhead, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Sentaler coat, depart Birkenhead Town Hall on January 14, 2019 in Birkenhead, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in an H&M dress, visits the Mayhew, an animal welfare charity, on January 16, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in an H&M dress, visits the Mayhew, an animal welfare charity, on January 16, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Roland Mouret, attend the Cirque du Soleil premiere Of 'Totem' at Royal Albert Hall on January 16, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Roland Mouret, attend the Cirque du Soleil premiere Of 'Totem' at Royal Albert Hall on January 16, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, attend the Endeavour Fund awards at Drapers' Hall on February 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, attend the Endeavour Fund awards at Drapers' Hall on February 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Carolina Herrera, with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, during an audience at his residence on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Carolina Herrera, with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, during an audience at his residence on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Erdem, and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Youth Event at Canada House on March 11, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Erdem, and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Youth Event at Canada House on March 11, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor at St George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor at St George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Jason Wu, attend the premiere of Disney's 'The Lion King' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 14, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Jason Wu, attend the premiere of Disney's 'The Lion King' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 14, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Veronica Beard, and Prince Harry visit District 6 Museum on September 23, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Veronica Beard, and Prince Harry visit District 6 Museum on September 23, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Nonie, arrive at the Creative Industries and Business Reception at the British High Commissioners residence on October 2, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Nonie, arrive at the Creative Industries and Business Reception at the British High Commissioners residence on October 2, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Sentaler coat, and Prince Harry attend the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on November 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Sentaler coat, and Prince Harry attend the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on November 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Reiss coat, arrives for her visit with Prince Harry to Canada House on January 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Reiss coat, arrives for her visit with Prince Harry to Canada House on January 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Victoria Beckham, presents an award during the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Victoria Beckham, presents an award during the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Safiyaa, arrive at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Safiyaa, arrive at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Emilia Wickstead, attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Emilia Wickstead, attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Armani, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey for an interview which will be broadcast in the US on March 7, 2021. AP
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Armani, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey for an interview which will be broadcast in the US on March 7, 2021. AP