Five women, who allegedly form Meghan’s closest group of friends, spoke to PEOPLE magazine to clear up rumours about Prince Harry’s new wife. The group was made up of at least one of Meghan’s former costars and a childhood friend. The women requested anonymity to protect their private relationship with Meghan Markle, but spoke candidly of the woman they just call Meg.
According to PEOPLE, the group wanted to “stand up against the global bullying we are seeing and speak the truth about our friend”.
One said: “Meg has silently sat back and endured the lies and untruths”.
Meghan and Prince Harry are expecting their first baby in late April or early May and the friends are worried about the pressure the online bullying is having on the pregnancy.
One said: “We worry about what this is doing to her and the baby.
“It’s wrong to put anyone under this level of emotional trauma, let alone when they’re pregnant.”
READ MORE: See how Meghan Markle's bump has grown over the months IN PICTURES
Meghan Markle news: Meghan hugs women at the launch of a cookbook (Image: Getty)
This latest appeal from Meghan’s friends comes a week after Kensington Palace reached out to social media firms to help stem the bullying of the Duchess and her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, online.
The two women have been plagued by entirely unfounded rumours of a ‘rift’ between them for months now, with online commentary often turning sexist and racist.
Meghan’s friends took the opportunity to share some personal details of Meghan’s home life.
One said: “We’ve all been to their cottage. It’s small and she’s made it cosy, but the perception of their lifestyle and the reality are two different things.
“Meg cooks for herself and Harry every single day.”
