Meghan Markle's childhood boyfriend says Duchess refused to 'fall in line' with royals
MEGHAN Markle's childhood boyfriend has said he does not believe claims she bullied royal staff but suggested she did not "fall in line" with expectations.
Meghan Markle: Commentator discusses ‘bullying’ allegations
Joshua Silverstein dated the Duchess of Sussex after they met at summer camp when they were 13. He insisted he does not "personally see her" bullying royal staff.
Mr Silverstein told Us Weekly: "I see her doing whatever it is she feels like she should do in order to be happy and coexist within a system that has probably not been very welcoming to who she is and where she comes from.
"When you find women of colour - particularly black women - standing up for themselves and speaking out and speaking against what they feel [is] disrespect or oppression, oftentimes whiteness tends to classify that in negative ways because they don't want that to happen.
"It's almost like people are expected to know their place and whenever they don't fall in line with that, then people say it's a problem."
Last month, The Times reported allegations that Meghan bullied royal staff.
The former Suits star is facing accusations that she drove out two personal assistants and that staff were "humiliated" on several occasions.
Buckingham Palace announced it is to investigate the allegations of bullying made against Meghan, which she denies.
Meghan's spokesman previously 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.
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"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."
Mr Silverstein said he does not think the “scrutiny” and “negative criticism” will disappear now Meghan and Prince Harry have moved to California.
He added: “She’s probably having to make hard decisions and uncomfortable ones for the sake of just being able to smile the next day.
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"That’s what life is about - making tough decisions so that you can live the life that allows you to thrive as the person you want to thrive as.
“As long as she’s happy and he’s happy, that’s all that matters.”
Meghan and Harry quit royal duties a year ago in a move dubbed Megxit.
They have settled into their new lives in America free from royal constraints.
The Sussexes plunged the Royal Family into crisis last month with their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.
They made a set of explosive claims about the monarchy in the TV interview.