THE Queen should apologise to Meghan Markle for the racial abuse she suffered in the UK, TV host Sunny Hostin has claimed as A-list pals rallied around the Duchess.
The View co-anchor Sunny Hostin, 52, said senior members of the Royal Family should be supporting the Duchess of Sussex instead of “dredging up allegations” about bullying.
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During her show on Thursday, the presenter discussed with a panel of female celebrities about the bullying allegations made against Meghan.
The claims were raised this week after a source told The Times that the Duchess drove two personal assistants out of the household and undermined the confidence of a third.
The Palace launched an investigation into the allegations, releasing a statement saying they were “very concerned” at the claims.
But the American anchor told her audience she thinks the timing of the news – just days before Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah is set to be aired – is suspicious.
Speaking on The View panel, Sunny said: “I think they are that concerned – the Firm, the Palace, the Royal Family – about the Oprah interview to dredge up some allegations from two and a half years ago that she allegedly bullied staff by sending emails at 5am.
‘TERRIBLE RACIAL HATRED’
“My goodness, I sends emails at 1am, 2am, 5am – I would have had many cases against me by now if that’s considered criminal behaviour.”
She explained: “I’m really shocked that rather than trying to mend this rift, rather than supporting Meghan and Harry, who I think removed his wife and his family from England because of the terrible racial hatred that she was subjected to.
“And he didn’t want history to repeat itself after what happened to his mother with the media.
“I’m just surprised that they haven’t tried to even apologise for not protecting her more, and instead do this.
“It says a lot, I think, about the workings of the Royal Family.”
Several friends – including Suits co-star Patrick Adams, producer Silver tree and CBS anchor Gayle Kind – have spoken out in support of Meghan after the bullying claims.
Yesterday, Meghan Markle’s best friend Jessica Mulroney praised her “kindness, empathy and love”.
Jessica, 41, who met the Duchess of Sussex while filming Suits in Toronto, posted a photo of her and Meghan – both dressed in white – at a restaurant, with the caption: “I don’t know that anyone has ever had to deal with the pressure, the politics and the press like this woman.
“In the face of it all, I have never seen her waver from kindness, empathy and love.”
Another friend who spoke out to show support for Meghan after the bullying claims was Silver Tree, who worked as a producer on Suits.
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She posted some photos of her and Meghan, writing on Twitter: “This is Meg. A real person – not a cover story. She is one of my very nearest and dearest. Like all her friends I love her madly.
“She is the friend who insists on always hearing the details of your life, your day, your kids life, your kids day, before hers. Always before hers.”
Meghan’s Suits co-star Patrick Adams also defended the Duchess and accused the Palace of “tormenting” her as he described the monarchy as “archaic and toxic” in a series of tweets.
Patrick, who starred as Meghan’s on-screen love interest during her time on Suits, criticised the Palace for “promoting and amplifying” the bullying accusations.
He said Meghan was forced to “flee the UK” to protect her family and her mental health.
He added: “It’s OBSCENE that the Royal Family, whose newest member is currently GROWING INSIDE OF HER, is promoting and amplifying accusations of ‘bullying’ against a woman who herself was basically forced to flea the UK in order protect her family and her own mental health.
“IMO, this newest chapter and it’s timing is just another stunning example of the shamelessness of a institution that has outlived its relevance, is way overdrawn on credibility and apparently bankrupt of decency.
“Find someone else to admonish, berate and torment. My friend Meghan is way out of your league.”
Piers Morgan branded the actor a “jumped-up twerp” after his comments about the Royal Family.
They prompted Piers to hit back with an equally fiery rant, writing: “Actually, what’s ‘OBSCENE’ is your friend trashing her husband’s family on global TV as the Queen’s 99-yr-old husband lies in hospital.
“How dare you attack our Royal Family like this, you jumped-up little twerp.”
The outspoken TV host added: “Meghan Markle’s showbiz mates who flew over and grovelled up to the Royals at her wedding now publicly trashing the Monarchy – and suggesting it be abolished. Disgusting.”
CBS anchor Gayle King, 66, also spoke in support of the Duchess as she and her fellow presenters discussed a new teaser clip for the couple’s highly anticipated Oprah interview.
Gayle, who is a close friend of Meghan, claimed that Meghan had been “vilified” and hinted that there were questions in the Oprah interview that the royals did not answer.
King, who is also friends with Oprah, added: “Vilified is the word for what has happened to Harry and Meghan. Meghan in particular.
“When I heard Oprah say it’s the best interview she’d ever done and I asked her what do you mean by that she said: ‘It wasn’t just me, it was to have people at that level who are going through it, so to speak’.
“They answered every question – 99.999. And any questions that they didn’t answer they explained why they didn’t answer, so you got a sense of that.
“There wasn’t any Jiu Jitsu, bobbing and weaving and trying to decide.”
‘LATEST ATTACK’
It followed a report in The Times this week which claimed the Duchess is facing allegations that she bullied staff during her time at Kensington Palace.
After the investigation was launched, one of the sources who revealed the complaint told 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 investigation was the result of lengthy conversations between Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House, according to The Times.
The allegations came just days before Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, which is will be aired on CBS in the US on Sunday night, and then in the UK on ITV on Monday.
However, a spokesman for the Sussexes denied allegations of bullying, saying that Meghan is committed to supporting people who have experienced trauma and works to “build compassion around the world”.
Meghan’s spokesman said: “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.
“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.”
