Meghan Markle’s friend speaks out in support of duchess amid bullying claims: ‘Goodwill runs in her bones’

‘She’s more than just a cover story,’ duchess’s close college friend says

Meghan Markle’s friend defends her amid bullying claims (Getty Images)

Meghan Markle’s longtime friend Lindsay Jill Roth has defended the Duchess of Sussex and vouched for her “kindness” amid bullying allegations made by palace staff.

On Thursday, it was announced that Buckingham Palace will launch an investigation into allegations of bullying by Meghan after staff claimed to The Times that the duchess had driven out two personal assistants during her time as a working member of the royal family.

Following the reports, which come days before a highly anticipated interview between Oprah Winfrey and Meghan and Prince Harry is set to air, Roth spoke out in defence of her college friend of more than 22 years on Instagram, where she said “goodwill runs in her bones”.

“Meg’s MO has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones,” the writer and television producer began. “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.”

In the lengthy post, which Roth shared alongside a photo of herself and Meghan at Roth’s wedding, as well as an additional picture of the pair from college, the author continued: “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.”

Read more: What will Meghan Markle discuss in the Oprah interview?

Roth then went on to describe the duchess as an “altruistic, magnanimous friend”, who she is “so lucky to have in my corner,” while stating that those who have met Meghan would feel the same.

“She’s funny. Like, laugh out loud funny. And smart. She’s more than just a cover story,” Roth wrote, before sharing her belief that the Meghan she knew and befriended as a fellow student at Northwestern University is the same woman the duchess is today.

“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,” Roth concluded.

A representative for the duchess previously refuted the claims of bullying, which were made by a close advisor during Meghan’s time at Kensington Palace, revealing in a statement that Meghan is “saddened by this latest attack on her character”.

“The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma,” a spokesperson for Meghan and Prince Harry said. “She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.”

In one of the trailers released ahead of the two-hour interview with Winfrey, set to air Sunday, Meghan touches on what she claims are “falsehoods” perpetuated by the royal family about herself and Prince Harry, explaining that that is why she couldn’t stay “silent”.

“I don’t know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,” Meghan said in the clip, using the nickname used by the royal family.