After CBS released a series of previews for Meghan and Harry’s upcoming Oprah special that promises to drop many bombshell revelations, the British press ran a few stories of their own about the embattled couple. On Tuesday, the Times of London published a report alleging that the Duchess bullied members of her staff in 2018. In response to the allegations, Meghan and Harry released a statement calling the claims a “calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation.”
Following the release of the Times report, Buckingham Palace launched an investigation into the matter. The Sussexes themselves have blamed the Palace on the report, with their lawyers saying that they are “using” the publication to “peddle a wholly false narrative.”
The bullying allegations come at a conspicuous moment for the couple; in the run-up to the Oprah special, it seems as though both the British press and the Palace are seeking to preemptively discredit Meghan, although Buckingham Palace denies their involvement in the timing of the Times report.
Naturally, celebrities and friends of Meghan’s took to social media to express their support for the Duchess, while others appeared to harbor negative feelings toward the royal. Here’s a roundup of the most notable reactions from the week:
Actress Gabrielle Union, musicians Toni Braxton and Chance The Rapper, and writer Roxane Gay expressed frustration with the British press.
https://t.co/R4Ygv3jiOj pic.twitter.com/DdMBqCWwtrMarch 4, 2021
Every other day there is a story about Meghan breathing, Meghan blinking, Meghan existing. Meanwhile in that same family there is a man who has been accused of raping minors, yet somehow he escapes the British Press’ daily persecutions.March 3, 2021
Do y’all find yourselves getting mad as HELL every time they talk sideways about the Duchess Meghan?March 3, 2021
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.March 3, 2021
Game of Thrones' Nathalie Emmanuel finds the media fixation with Meghan kinda pathetic:
They be obsessed with Meghan... lolMarch 3, 2021
The actress Aisha Tyler and entrepreneur Meena Harris didn't mince words–they called the whole thing straight-up racist:
Man, I can’t with these racist little royal birds out here coming for Meghan Markle from the shadows. Miss me with this birdseed. Where is Arya Stark when you need her.March 5, 2021
Keep Meghan Markle's name out of your damn mouth. You are racist.March 3, 2021
Meanwhile, Union also wanted to remind everyone to always protect Black women:
ALWAYS. https://t.co/QUG0eTxvD2March 4, 2021
The Duchess' Suits family also came to her defense, with producer Silver Tree, creator Aaron Korsh, and co-star Patrick J. Adams sharing sweet messages on Twitter:
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. pic.twitter.com/n7xSR9p3oNMarch 5, 2021
Meghan Markle is not a monster. She’s a strong woman with a kind heart who’s trying to make her way in an unimaginable situation. I don’t know the specifics of some incident from years ago but if late night emails makes you a horrible person, then I’m going to hell 50 times over.March 5, 2021
Meghan Markle and I spent the better part of a decade working together on Suits. 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.March 5, 2021
Others found the "stench" of the royal family's "desperation" rotten.
IF THIS IS WHAT THE ROYAL FAMILY IS COMFORTABLE DOING TO A HEAVILY PREGNANT 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.March 4, 2021
And Meghan's good friend Lindsay Roth shared a long note on Instagram in solidarity.
All the while Piers Morgan and company sat around angry tweeting:
Meghan Markle’s showbiz mates who flew over and grovelled up to the Royals at her wedding now publicly trashing the Monarchy - and suggesting it be abolished. Disgusting. 👇 https://t.co/ERUziToe0RMarch 5, 2021
Meghan Markle doesn’t love Prince Harry. If she did she would be encouraging a reconciliation with his family, not driving them further apart.March 4, 2021
All the while Piers Morgan and company sat around angry tweeting:
meghan markle hive rise upMarch 3, 2021
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Zoe Guy is the digital fellow at Marie Claire, where she covers pop culture, hot celebrity gossip, movies and TV. She’s obsessed with Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of The Age of Innocence, anything written by Jesmyn Ward and stan Twitter.