The Duchess of Sussex’s long-time friend Janina Gavankar says there are “many emails and texts” to support the claims she made to Oprah Winfrey about her experience of joining the British Royal Family.
Duchess Meghan, 39, and her husband Prince Harry, 36, sat down for a tell-all TV interview with Oprah in which they discussed their decision to step down as senior royals.
Within the sit down chat, Meghan and Harry made several bombshell allegations, including accusing an unnamed family member of asking what the colour of their then-unborn son Archie’s skin would be because Meghan is biracial, whilst Meghan claimed she was left feeling suicidal due to the scrutiny placed on her after becoming a member of the royal family, alleging she received no support for her mental health issues after she spoke with a senior member of the royal institution asking for help.
Queen Elizabeth II – Harry’s grandmother – has since released a statement addressing the claims made in the interview admitting she is “saddened” to learn how “challenging” life has been for Harry and Meghan, adding that some “issues raised” are “concerning”.
The statement, released by Buckingham Palace, read: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
Janina – who was appeared in ‘The Morning Show’ and ‘The Mighty Ones’ and the ‘Star Wars’ sequels – is adamant that Meghan’s allegations are true because she lived the experience with her and knows there is proof.
Appearing on UK TV show ‘This Morning’, she said: “I don’t speak for them, I speak for myself. After reading this short statement that came out from Buckingham Palace today, I felt two things.
“One side, I thought: I am so thankful that they are finally acknowledging the experience. But on the other side, I am well aware that the family and the staff were well aware of the extent of it, and though their recollections may vary, ours don’t, because we lived through it with them. There are many emails and texts to support that.”
Janina, 40, also addressed the accusations that have come from Palace staff accusing Meghan – formerly known as Meghan Markle – of bullying behaviour.
She said: “I have known her for 17 years and I have seen the way she regards the people around her and the people she works with, and I can say she is not a bully.
“But I can also say that I am personally glad people are doing their due diligence because I also know why someone had to leave, and it was for gross misconduct. The truth will come out, there are plenty of emails and texts about that.”