Meghan Markle's famous friends publicly throw their support behind her

Just days ahead of her hotly-anticipated tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle was slapped with accusations of bullying behaviour from the palace.

The Duchess of Sussex, 39, this week found herself at the centre of fresh claims from two former palace staff members who say they've been bullied by the former royal.

It reportedly led to both members of staff quitting their jobs - with other members of staff saying they were often left "terrified" and "shaking" amid disagreements in the royal household.

However Meghan - who is currently expecting her second child with husband Prince Harry - has hit back at the claims and accused royals of "perpetuating falsehoods".

The ordeal caused a torrent of famous faces to stand up and defend the Meghan they know.

Below, we take a look at what celebrities have said in unwavering support of the former actress as Buckingham Palace investigates claims.

Patrick J. Adams

Meghan's onscreen husband Patrick J. Adams blasted the royal family as 'bankrupt of decency' in support of the actress.

Canadian actor Patrick attended the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding alongside Royals including the Queen and Prince Philip just three years ago.

After defending Meghan as having a 'deep sense of morality' he addressed her husband's family.

Patrick wrote: "It’s OBSCENE that the Royal Family, who’s newest member is currently GROWING INSIDE OF HER, is promoting and amplifying accusations of “bullying” against a woman who herself was basically forced to flee 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 an institution that has outlived its relevance, is way overdrawn on credibility and apparently bankrupt of decency."

In Suits, Patrick played Mike Ross, who married Meghan's paralegal Rachel Zane.

Patrick said of Meghan, who he worked with for the better part of a decade: "From day one she was an enthusiastic, kind, cooperative, giving, joyful and supportive member of our television family. She remained that person and colleague as fame, prestige and power accrued."

He defended Meghan's personality, saying she always spoke up for what she believed to be right.

Patrick tweeted: "She has always been a powerful woman with a deep sense of morality and a fierce work ethic and has never been afraid to speak up, be heard and defend herself and those she holds dear. Like the rest of the world, I have watched her navigate the last few years in astonishment.

"She fell in love, moved to a new country, became a household name across the entire globe and began the difficult work of trying to find her place in a family dynamic that can at best be described as complicated and at worst, seemingly archaic and toxic."

Patrick said he had hoped the negative press attention would end after Meghan and Harry's one-year-old son Archie was born.

Yet, he wrote: "We don’t live on that planet and instead the hunt continued."

He called attacks on Meghan 'racist', writing: "It sickened me to read the endless racist, slanderous, clickbaiting vitriol spewed in her direction from all manner of media across the UK and the world but I also knew that Meghan was stronger than people realised or understood and they would regret underestimating her."

He finished his post: "Find someone else to admonish, berate and torment. My friend Meghan is way out of your league."

Abigail Spencer

Meghan's long-time friend and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer was among the sea of celebrities rushing to the former royal's defence.

The actress - who played lawyer Dana "Scottie" Scott on the hit show - took to Instagram to share rare insight into their friendship as she defended Meghan's character amid the accusations.

Abigail spoke about the star's behind-the-scenes nature, describing her as a person seemingly beyond reproach.

Abigail - who attended Meghan's royal wedding in 2018 - explains that she's "not here to tell you [Meghan's] story," but she "felt drawn - in all this melee, with all the untruths swirling around - to present something real."

"There are some people who are so bright and exude such deep purpose that they change the molecules in the air simply through their being," she continued.

"She was all of this from the moment I met her fourteen years ago. And remains so to this day. In the face of darkness, she shows up in light and in love. When they go low, she goes high. Again and again."

"She works tirelessly - and often quietly - for the causes she believes in," she added.

The actress revealed that Meghan and Prince Harry write their own speeches for official engagements, offering a voice for those who "do not have a voice for themselves".

Abigail, aims to remain "extremely private" about her friendship with the Duchess, says Meghan offered her co-stars a shoulder to lean on during her "darkest hours".

Abigail recalled mourning the loss of her father, as well as a painful break-up with Meghan right by her side.

More than that, the actress says Meghan has been a source of support for her and her son.

"She's taken my son in as her own. I can't tell you the value of having another working mother I can lean on when the pressures of visibility & child-rearing woes become overwhelming," she wrote.

"She's always been a safe harbour for me, someone I can fall apart in front of... and with," she signed her post off.

Chrissy Teigen

Though she's known for her outspoken persona and honest tweets, Chrissy Teigen made her stance known by not saying too much about the treatment of Meghan.

Rushing to Twitter in support of the former royal, John Legend's wife hit out at the critics blasting Meghan in her message of solidarity.

"This Meghan Markle s**t is hitting too close to home for me," she wrote. "These people won’t stop until she miscarries. F**king stop it."

Chrissy suffered a pregnancy loss of her own last year, and she has been open with her fans about the tragic experience and her journey to healing.

In November last year, many people began criticising Meghan for sharing news of her miscarriage which took place in July.

Meghan published an essay in which she spoke about the "unbearable grief" of losing a baby that she and Prince Harry had endured in the hopes of helping others "share their pain".

In the essay, Meghan described feeling a sharp pain while holding her 18-month-old son, Archie.

"After changing his diaper, I felt a sharp cramp," she wrote. "I dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm, the cheerful tune a stark contrast to my sense that something was not right. I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second."

"Hours later, I lay in a hospital bed, holding my husband’s hand," she added. "I felt the clamminess of his palm and kissed his knuckles, wet from both our tears. Staring at the cold white walls, my eyes glazed over. I tried to imagine how we’d heal."

While the essay received positive praise from countless fans who applauded Meghan for her bravery in sharing her experience, many took a different stance as they criticised her for speaking publicly.

Chrissy was among the celebrities bashing the critics, calling one in particular a "piece of s**t" as she defended Meghan.

Janina Gavankar

Meghan's long-time friend and actress Janina Gavankar was among the celebs setting the record straight about the Duchess.

True Blood star Janina struck up a friendship with Meghan in 2004 and the pair have been close friends ever since.

"I have known Meghan for 17 years. Here's what she is: kind, strong, open," she wrote on Twitter. "Here's what she's not: 'a bully'. ANY of us who know her, feel the same thing from her broken silence: Relief. The truth shall set you free."

Janina has been very open about her friendship with the Suits star, previously telling ET that their "entire friendship has been apart".

"We met 16 years ago, and we've just been apart since, so our friendship lives on FaceTime, no matter where we are," she said last year.

In the same interview, she spoke about her friend's relationship with Harry, adding: “One of the things I love about both of them is they don't tell anyone, they just go do good work in countries with nobody watching.

"They fell in love with nothing around them - no frills, no bells and whistles."

Daniel Martin

Meghan’s longtime makeup artist Daniel Martin has defended her character.

"Because she isn’t self-centred, people can see the light in her," he wrote in a post in support of the star.

"Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example,” he wrote, quoting the “Tao Te Ching,” which is attributed to philosopher Lao Tzu.

“Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit. Because she wants nothing from the world, the world cannot overcome her,” he added.

Daniel was Meghan's make-up artist for her 2018 royal wedding to Prince Harry.

Daniel has known Meghan for over a decade after first meeting her during her time on Suits.

He attended her famous baby shower in New York last February alongside celebrities like Gayle King and Serena Williams, and was one of the first to visit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they moved into Frogmore Cottage shortly before Archie's birth.

Speaking about his friend last year, Daniel said Meghan "globally resonates on so many levels - not just because of the way she looks but the way she is".

He said she's changed the beauty industry for the better, adding that he feels a certain "responsibility" to associate himself with her.

"I'm very fortunate that we're authentic friends so I feel like I have to do and be as good because we're all in this together,' he told ET. "She gave me this incredible gift and now it's my responsibility to share that.

Chrishell Stause

Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause was among the celebrities speaking out in support of Meghan.

Though she's not a close friend of the Duchess, the reality TV star issued a plea for clear-headedness after reading a sample of negative comments about Meghan posted beneath a news article on Twitter.

"My timeline is very pro Meghan Markle which I love," she wrote. "But I just scrolled some of the comments on a news site's post & it was almost shocking that people hate her so much.

"I worry about people's sanity who can attach so much hate to someone they don't know."

Jessica Mulroney

Arguably Meghan's best friend ever, Jessica Mulroney has been nothing but vocal in her support for her BFF.

The pair met when Jessica was hired to be Meghan's stylist years ago.

Since then, they have been inseparable - with Jessica making it her priority to host and organise Meghan's baby shower before playing a key part in her wedding.

The Canadian stylist said no one "has ever had to deal with the pressure, the politics and the press" like Meghan in an Instagram post.

Sharing a snap of the pair, she added: "In the face of it all, I have never seen her wave from kindness, empathy and love."

Jessica played an instrumental role in helping Meghan choose her wedding dress for the Canadian actress' Suits character, Rachel Zane, in 2015.

The pair have been close friends for years, with Jessica's daughter, Ivy, appearing in the Royal Wedding as a bridesmaid. Her two sons, Brian and John, were page boys.

Lindsay Roth

Meghan's closest friend from Northwestern University - TV producer Lindsay Roth - was one of the first to defend her after allegations of bullying came to light.

Sharing a snap of the Duchess on social media, Lindsay said "goodwill runs in her bones" and branded her an "altruistic, magnanimous friend".

Lindsay - who attended Meghan's wedding in 2018 - penned a lengthy caption alongside snaps of Meghan on their graduation, as well as one from the author's wedding day.

"Meg's M.O. has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones. I know this to be true after 22 years of very close friendship," she wrote.

"I have seen firsthand how she treats her friends and their families, and her colleagues. 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."

She added: "If you have a specific goal, she will help you get there, and your passions will become hers on your behalf. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Meg – and I hope more of you do – you will see the altruistic, magnanimous friend who I am so lucky to have in my corner."

Lindsay went on to describe Meghan's character, calling her "laugh out loud funny".

"She's funny. Like, laugh out loud funny. And smart. She's more than just a cover story. 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 went on.

"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."

Chance The Rapper

Musician Chance The Rapper spoke out in solidarity with the Duchess.

The rapper - real name Chancelor Johnathan Bennett - took to Twitter as he threw his support behind the former royal, writing: "Do y’all find yourselves getting mad as HELL every time they talk sideways about the Duchess Meghan?"

Though it's unclear whether the pair are friends

Silver Tree

TV director Silver Tree - known for her work on series Shameless - is one of Meghan's long-time friends who too, spoke out to defend the former royal.

Sharing a never-before-seen snap of Meghan and Archie, Silver penned: "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.

"The friend who stocks her house full of all your very favourite things when you visit and pretends she already had them-just because she wants the moment to be about you, not her. It's always that way with her friends- us before her. When you move to a new city she creates a book of all the special things that city can give you - all the little secrets it offers over to you so you'll feel less homesick."

She added: "She leaves it on your doorstep so you have it when you wake up. On her wedding day she checks in on me in the morning. It's her day, the world is standing by, it's a lot-but she wants the day to be special for me. 'You've come such a long way' she says 'Are you jet lagged?' she says 'I made you a playlist to listen to while you get ready'."

The director went on to share personal experiences she's had with Meghan, recalling the time the Duchess was there for her when she was going through a difficult situation with her son's health.

"When my son was going through a scary, complicated diagnosis, she is the friend who stopped everything and helped map out, step by step, how we would navigate things. She called all the people, all the places when I was too paralysed to form a plan."

She added: "She's the friend who shares all of her secrets with you, because despite having so many reasons to put walls up, her heart remains as wide open as it always has been.

"This is Meg before she met H. This is Meg now. She's always been this person. She's not a headline. She's my friend. I love her."

Jameela Jamil

The Good Place actress Jameela Jamil was among the stars speaking out in support of Meghan.

Taking to Twitter, the British actress wrote: "IF THIS IS WHAT THE ROYAL FAMILY IS COMFORTABLE DOING TO A HEAVILY PREGNANT WOMAN PUBLICLY.... can we even IMAGINE what they put her through privately? They seem terrified.

"Her interview hasn’t even aired yet. What are they covering up? The stench of their desperation is rotten," she added.

Jameela played an instrumental role in introducing Meghan to Harry.

Jameela’s character on The Good Place, Tahani Al-Jamil, makes a joke on the show saying that she was the one who actually introduced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and was responsible for their relationship.

After their romance proved to be the real deal, Meghan chose Jameela to be a star for the cover of British Vogue, which the Suits star guest-edited.

Jon Cowan

Suits writer and executive producer Jon Cowan defended Meghan's intentions and character in a post of solidarity behind the Duchess.

Jon - who worked closely with Meghan for almost a decade on the hit show - wrote: "It’s also possible the Duchess of Sussex is a good person thrust into an unimaginable world.

"Having spent 3 years working with her in her pre-Duchess days, I saw a warm, kind, caring person. I know nothing of her current situation but she gets the benefit of the doubt in my book.”