Meghan Markle's Close Friends Speak Out About The Duchess

Meghan Markle's close friends spoke to People to denounce the negative press about the Duchess of Sussex. In this rare interview, they offer personal details of their own experiences with the royal to show what she's actually like.

The friends, five women, want to "stand up against the global bullying we are seeing and speak the truth about our friend," one member of the group told the magazine.

The confidantes' identities remain anonymous, but one source is described as one of Meghan's former co-stars. Royal correspondent Omid Scobie also suggested on Good Morning America that the duchess might've given her pals "her very subtle blessing" before they spoke to the press.

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The friends' speaking out follows the range of reports about Meghan from British press in recent months, such as suggestions that she's been dubbed "Duchess Difficult" or "Hurricane Meghan" by palace insiders because of how she's shaking up the royal family and her staff. There were also rumours of a "rift" between Meghan and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, with one story claiming she left Kate was left "in tears" after a dress fitting for the royal wedding last year.

"Meg has silently sat back and endured the lies and untruths," a former co-star told People, and brought up concerns about the effect the media coverage might have on Meghan's pregnancy and baby. (She and Prince Harry are due to welcome their first child in the spring.) "It’s wrong to put anyone under this level of emotional trauma, let alone when they’re pregnant," the star added.

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One friend also brought up Meghan's estranged half-sister and half-brother, who told press they had a falling out with the Duchess: "They were not a part of her life." The source also clarified that Meghan's dad, Thomas Markle has "never" called or texted her.

Another insider shared a story of how Meghan was a hospitable host when she stayed at their cottage home as a guest. "How much she loves her animals, how much she loves her friends, how much she loves feeding you, taking care of you—none of that has changed," she said.

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“When you see her at walkabouts, when she crouches down to talk to the kids and genuinely has real conversations with people, that’s Meg,” the former co-star told People. “That’s how she crouches down with our kids at home. That’s how she plays with them. That’s how she engages with people and how she always has.”

The friends also described Meghan as "selfless" and "the best listener." One former colleague said she talks to the Duchess every day, and that Meghan is usually the first one to ask how she and her family are doing.

This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.