Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's closest friends launch coordinated defence against bullying claims

The Duchess of Sussex’s closest friends have launched a coordinated defence against claims she bullied royal staff, saying that “kindness and goodwill run in her bones”.

Within a space of hours, several of Meghan’s closest confidantes broke ranks to stand up for the pregnant 39-year-old and challenge allegations that she had driven out two employees and undermined the confidence of a third.

Lindsay Roth, a friend from Northwestern University, took to Instagram last night to pen a lengthy tribute to the Duchess.

“Meg’s M.O. has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones,” she said.

“I know this to be true after 22 years of very close friendship. I have seen firsthand how she treats her friends and their families, and her colleagues.”

Daniel Martin, the Duchess’s wedding day make-up artist, also took to social media to quote a passage from the Tao Te Ching alongside a picture of Meghan, beginning: “Because she isn't self centered, people can see the light in her.”

It went on: “Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example.

"Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit. Because she wants nothing from the world, the world cannot overcome her.”

Janina Gavankar, another old friend of the Duchess, wrote 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.”

Both the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex were labelled “outrageous bullies” according to a litany of claims reported this week.

“Broken” royal aides described feeling humiliated, “sick”, “terrified”, left “shaking” with fear. Others were said to have been reduced to tears by the duchess.

On Wednesday evening, Buckingham Palace launched an unprecedented investigation into the allegations, prompting one of the sources who revealed the complaint to tell The Times: “We will finally be able to tell the truth. It’s not going to be easy, but this is very welcome and long overdue. We don’t have to be silent any more.”

The Sussexes are to have “no doubt” the catalogue of damaging allegations, including specific information from internal emails, formed part of an orchestrated smear campaign involving senior palace aides as a defence strategy ahead of their Oprah Winfrey interview, which airs in the US on Sunday evening.

One source said: “It’s not possible for this to have happened without the acknowledgement or understanding, perhaps a gentle nod or a wink, from someone pretty central or senior at the palace.

“How could a junior member of staff have pulled this altogether?

Ms Roth, who met the Duchess in a Toni Morrison literature class during their first year at Northwestern and now works as a TV producer, said of her friend: “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's funny. Like, laugh out loud funny. And smart. She’s more than just a cover story. “

She added: “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.”