Meghan Markle being 'hounded' by press like Princess Diana, says author Malorie Blackman

'It's like she's damned no matter what she does'

Friday 09 August 2019 15:02 BST

The Duchess of Sussex and author Malorie Blackman (Getty Images)

Malorie Blackman has compared the "barrage of abuse" the Duchess of Sussex has received to the treatment of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, saying that it seems Meghan is "damned no matter what she does".

In a new interview with Stylist magazine, the author explained how she spotted parallels between the way the duchess is scrutinised in the media and the royal's late mother-in-law.

"Look at how certain parts of the press report on someone like Meghan Markle and what she does," Blackman stated.

"The barrage of abuse that Meghan is getting... it's kind of like she's damned with certain parts of the media, no matter what she does."

The author of the Noughts & Crosses book series outlined how the incessant scrutiny of the Duchess reminded her of "the way the press hounded" Princess Diana.

"I watch what's going on with Meghan and I think, 'This is along the same lines, but worse'," Blackman said.

"Meghan could wear a one-shouldered dress, two-shouldered, a boat neck or whatever, and the media would say it's not appropriate, because what they are saying basically is that she shouldn't be in the royal family."

In August 2017, the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex opened up in BBC documentary Diana, 7 Days about the way in which the paparazzi "harassed" their mother prior to her death.

Prince William stated that if Princess Diana had been treated the same way in this day and age, people would have found it "utterly appalling".

Blackman spoke to Stylist about the treatment of Meghan in light of the release of her latest novel Crossfire, the fifth book in the Noughts & Crosses series.

The writer took inspiration from the current political climate when penning her novel, explaining that she wanted to explore the "naked ambition" of politicians.

11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

Show all 11

1/1111 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On stigma around menstruation and female education

'Imagine a world where the female leaders we revere never achieved their full potential because they dropped out of school at the age of thirteen. In the western world this is challenging to fathom, but for millions of young women globally, this remains their harsh reality for a staggering reason. From sub-Saharan Africa to India, Iran, and several other countries, the stigma surrounding menstruation and lack of access to proper sanitation directly inhibit young women from pursuing an education.' (Time, 2017)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On the #MeToo and Time's Up movements

'I hear a lot of people saying when speaking about girls’ empowerment, finding and knowing their worth, or women’s empowerment as well, you will often hear people say: "You’re helping women find their voices." And I fundamentally disagree with that, because women don’t need to find the voice – they have a voice, they need to be empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen. And I think right now in the climate that we’re seeing with so many campaigns, with #MeToo and Time’s Up, there is no better time than to really continue to shine a light on women feeling empowered and people really helping to support them, men included in that.' (The Royal Foundation Forum, 2018)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On gender stereotypes in cleaning adverts

'I don’t think it is right for kids to grow up thinking these things, that just mum does everything.' (At 11 years old on Nick News, 1993)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On supporting women's voices

'Women make up more than half of the world’s population and potential, so it is neither just nor practical for their voices, for our voices, to go unheard at the highest levels of decision-making. The way that we change that, in my opinion, is to mobilize girls and women to see their value as leaders, and to support them in these efforts.' (UN Women Conference, 2015)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On women's suffrage

'Women’s suffrage is about feminism, but feminism is about fairness. Suffrage is not simply about the right to vote, but also about what that represents: the basic and fundamental human right of being able to participate in the choices for your future and that of your community.' (At Government House in New Zealand for 125th anniversary of women achieving right to vote in country, 2018)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On dressing like a feminist

'You don’t have to play dress up to be a feminist. You are a feminist exactly the way you are. You can be a woman who wants to look good and still stand up for the equality of women. There’s no uniform for feminism; you are a feminist exactly the way you are.' (Create and Cultivate, 2016)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On knowing your value

'I think the biggest part of being a girl boss in the office, at home, or anywhere you go is just knowing your value.' (InStyle, 2015)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On taking action to achieve equality

'It is said that girls with dreams become women with vision. May we empower each other to carry out such vision – because it isn't enough to simply talk about equality. One must believe it. And it isn't enough to simply believe in it. One must work at it. Let us work at it. Together. Starting now.' (UN Women Conference, 2015)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On looking after yourself

'Be kind to yourself. Truly, if we treated ourselves as well as we treated our best friends we would be a million miles ahead of the game. There’s this great Georgia O’Keefe quote that resonates with me: “I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain, and I am quite free."'

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On breaking glass ceilings

'With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility – to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings. And, if I'm lucky enough, to inspire.' (Elle, 2016)

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11 of Meghan Markle's best feminist quotes

On what it means to be a feminist

‘No matter what you look like, you should be taken seriously. I think it’s really great to be able to be a feminist, and be feminine. To embrace both.’ (Interview with Larry King, 2016)

On Sunday 4 August, Meghan celebrated her 38th birthday.

Her husband, the Duke of Sussex, led the celebratory birthday messages on social media, writing in an Instagram caption: "'Happy Birthday to my amazing wife. Thank you for joining me on this adventure!’ – Love, H.”

In July, it was announced that the Duchess of Sussex is launching a clothing line to support unemployed women through charity Smart Works.

Beyoncé and Meghan Markle embrace at The Lion King premiere in London

Revealed in the September issue of British Vogue, which the duchess guest edited, the capsule collection has been created in collaborated with Marks & Spencer, Jigsaw, John Lewis & Partners and fashion designer Misha Nonoo. It will launch later this year.

For all the latest news on Meghan Markle, click here.

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