Ever since they found out about her relationship with Prince Harry, the tabloids have had a problem with Meghan Markle. Back then, they were focused on wringing their hands over her status as a divorced woman, her acting career, her age (she’s three years older than the prince), and her race (she has a black mother and a white father).

And, despite the fact that Meghan is now an official member of the royal family (she officially became the Duchess of Sussex following her and Harry’s star-studded royal wedding), the screaming, scandalised headlines haven’t stopped. We’ve seen her raked over the coals for daring to wear dark nail polish, or dressing in too much black, or even wearing a bra. She’s been slated for touching her pregnant stomach, blamed for her husband making the very reasonable decision to move out of the home he shares with his brother, Prince William, dubbed “difficult” because she has “too much energy“.

Meghan’s long list of crimes also include those of being “too American”. Of waking up early. Of sitting on a goddamned chair.

And Oprah Winfrey, who has become a firm friend of Meghan and Harry’s, isn’t here for it.

Appearing on CBS This Morning, Winfrey – who recently joined forces with Prince Harry for a new documentary on mental health – made a point of standing up for Meghan.

“I think she’s being portrayed unfairly,” she said firmly. “I feel that if people really knew her they would know that she is not only everything we perceive of her in being graceful and dynamic in holding that position, but she just has a wonderful, warm, giving, loving heart.”

“I think it’s very unfair,” she added.

Going on to praise Meghan for her altruistic nature – something which has been made very clear by the duchess’ recent decision to call for royal baby well-wishers to donate to charity rather than sending gifts – Winfrey went on to say that Meghan makes a conscious effort to ignore the sleazy headlines penned about her.

“She’s very kind. She doesn’t seem to buy into [her bad press] though,” she said.

“I think that’s remarkable that despite everything that’s going on she does not read anything.”

During the show, Winfrey also spoke about her collaboration with Prince Harry, and said it came about after several “secret meetings” in London.

“I think it’s going to make – our hope is it’s going to have an impact on reducing the stigma and allowing people to know they’re not alone and being able to speak up about it and being able to identify it for themselves and their friends,” she said.

You can find out more about their upcoming show here.

Image: Getty