Tennis star Serena Williams is leading the support for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their interview with Oprah Winfrey. It comes as #AbolishThe Monarchy began to trend on Twitter.
Meghan made a series of astonishing admissions about her life before stepping down as a working royal in the two-hour broadcast.
In a statement on Twitter, the tennis player described the duchess as her “selfless friend” who “teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble”.
She added: “Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she’s experienced.
“I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of colour to minimise us, to break us down and demonise us. We must recognise our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism. The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimisation are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal.
“I want Meghan’s daughter, my daughter and your daughter to live in a society that is driven by respect.
“Keep in your memory the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Daniel Martin, who did Meghan’s make-up on her wedding day, shared a picture of the pair on Instagram, alongside a poem from Maya Angelou that said: “You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt. But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
Celebrities and activists have also shown support for the couple, including the niece of Vice President Kamala Harris, Meena Harris.
Prior to the interview airing, she tweeted: “Happy Meghan Markle appreciation day.”
The outpouring of support for Meghan and Harry also saw many people turn their anger towards the monarchy. These are some of the reactions as #AbolishTheMonarchy began to trend.
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Republic wrote: “The monarchy has just been hit by its worst crisis since the abdication in 1936. Whether for the sake of Britain or for the sake of the younger royals this rotten institution needs to go. #AbolishTheMonarchy“
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Related: Meghan asked by royal ‘how dark will baby’s skin be?’ in shocking racism claims
