Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea Clinton have come out swinging in support of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, saying the UK tabloids’ treatment of her is “inexplicable” and that they believe racism has a part to play.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Hillary told the publication: “I do want to say that the way she’s been treated is inexplicable.”
A self-described “Meghan Markle fan”, the former US First Lady and US Secretary of State said, when asked if she believed racism was the reason behind the vitriol, “It’s certainly part of it… Well, I think if the explanation is that she’s biracial, then shame on everybody.”
Hillary’s daughter Chelsea, an author and global health advocate, was also interviewed. She said she believed the Duchess’ former career and desire to speak out about what she believes in has irked traditionalists.
“It’s because she proudly had a career first and has a voice that she thankfully continues to use,” she said. “Anyone who has the temerity to break the mould of what has previously been established and expected often, unfortunately, receives criticism and bile that I don’t understand. We’ve seen this pattern repeatedly.
“I don’t know her, but as someone who respects her, I’m so grateful that she persists, and is unbowed, and is doing work she feels called to do,” she continued. “And also isn’t willing to be bullied.”
Earlier this month Prince Harry announced that he and Meghan were taking legal action against the Mail On Sunday for publishing a private letter that the duchess had written to her father, Thomas Markle.
In a powerful statement Prince Harry said, “Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences – a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising our newborn son.
“There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been. Because in today’s digital age, press fabrications are repurposed as truth across the globe. One day’s coverage is no longer tomorrow’s chip-paper.
“Up to now, we have been unable to correct the continual misrepresentations – something that these select media outlets have been aware of and have therefore exploited on a daily and sometimes hourly basis.
“It is for this reason we are taking legal action, a process that has been many months in the making…”
This is not the first time a public figure has spoken out in support of the duchess and attributed racism to being part of the vitriol.
In June actress and close friend Priyanka Chopra Jonas told The Sunday Times, “Of course it has to do with racism.
“It’s an obvious reason. But the beauty of Meg is that she’s been herself through all of this.”
She continued, “A lot of people got to know her after everything [once she started dating Harry], but I knew her before and she’s the same chick.
“Now that she’s got a real platform, she talks about the same things she always did.
“We spent hours speaking about the difference that influence and dialogue can make to the world before this whole thing happened, so what you see now is authentically her.
“She’s always been the girl wanting to move the needle.”
In March the duke and duchess’ good friend George Clooney spoke out against the media’s “unkind” treatment of Meghan.
The Hollywood actor said, “She’s a really kind and smart and intelligent young woman and they’re a really wonderful, loving couple.
“Most of it you can just shrug off and not pay attention to, but sometimes it’s unkind.”
In February he came out in support of the Duchess in response to the Mail on Sunday‘s publishing of her letter to her father.
“I do want to say, they’re just chasing Meghan Markle everywhere, she’s been pursued and vilified,” George told Who magazine at the time.
He said he doesn’t want to see a case of “history repeating itself,” referring to Diana’s tragic death following a car chase involving the paparazzi, in Paris 1997.
“We’ve seen how that ends.
“I can’t tell you how frustrating that is, just seeing them broadcast a letter from a daughter to a father, she’s getting a raw deal there and I think it’s irresponsible and I’m surprised by that.”
