Holly Willoughby defends Meghan Markle after This Morning guest calls her ‘tone-deaf’

Holly Willoughby has stuck up for Meghan Markle after the Duchess of Sussex revealed that she had suicidal feelings while pregnant and suffered racism from within the Royal Family.

Markle made the comments in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey which was broadcast in the US last night and will be shown in the UK on ITV at 9pm tonight.

Appearing on This Morning, journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer suggested Markle was “tone-deaf” for discussing her struggles because she’s wealthy.

She said: “I do think multi-millionaires sitting with a billionaire in their multi-million pound mansion complaining about how terrible their life is is tone-deaf, in this day and age when so many people are struggling.”

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In response, Willoughby pointed out that “mental health doesn’t discriminate on how wealthy you are”.

She added: “Haven’t we got past that thought process by now?”

Hartley-Brewer said in reply: “I get it, especially being a mum-to-be in a foreign country and not feeling support from her new in-laws and the palace staff.

“That would have been incredibly difficult… and the fact they weren’t offering her help. I don’t understand why she was not able to get help herself.”

Fellow guest Mathew Wright applauded Willoughby for her response, saying: “I’m very glad that Holly’s pointed out that the wealthy can be affected by negative mental health.”

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If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.