Hillary Clinton defends Meghan Markle over the ‘inexplicable’ way she's been treated

Hillary Clinton has spoken out in support of Meghan Markle, describing the way the Duchess of Sussex has been treated as “inexplicable”.

In a joint interview with her daughter Chelsea Clinton for The Sunday Times, the former first lady, 71, was asked about Meghan and Prince Harry's decision to take legal action against certain publications.

"Oh, but our laws are so different," Hillary said.

"I do want to say that the way she's been treated is inexplicable.”

The former secretary of state said she believes Meghan's race is "certainly part of it."

"If the explanation is that she's biracial, then shame on everybody," she said.

Her daughter Chelsea suggested there could be another explanation for Meghan’s treatment, to do with her advocacy, both before and now during her time as a royal.

READ MORE: Harry and Meghan are ‘on a mission to redefine how the press operates’ – and have a ‘secret weapon’

"She proudly had a career first and has a voice that she thankfully continues to use," Chelsea said.

"Anyone who has the temerity to break the mould of what has previously been established and expected, often, unfortunately, receives criticism and bile that I don’t understand. We’ve seen this pattern repeatedly.

"I don’t know her, but as someone who respects her, I’m so grateful that she persists and is unbowed and is doing work she feels called to do. And isn’t willing to be bullied.”

It isn’t the first time Hillary has praised the Duchess of Sussex. Last month, she shared an Instagram post supporting the Duchess for launching the Smart Set capsule collection, a workwear line created in collaboration with Smart Works, for which Meghan is a patron.

“I'm so inspired by how Meghan Markle—aka one half of @sussexroyal—is representing the U.S. in the U.K. and on the world stage,” she wrote.

“Meghan's new project: Helping @SmartWorksCharity equip women who have been out of the workforce with the office essentials they need to feel confident in job interviews and beyond.

“The ability to earn their own paycheck is a key part of women's economic, social, and cultural equality, and it can all start with some smart suits.”

READ MORE: Prince Harry tells school pupils he's 'not sure how much longer exams will be around'

Kim Kardashian has also given her thoughts on Harry and Meghan and recent events concerning the royal couple, claiming people shouldn't expect them to be perfect.

"I think that everyone makes their own choices and decisions," the reality star said, according to the Daily Mirror.

"And I think that, like I said, no one's going to be perfect. I'm not, they’re not. I don't know who is.

"I still love and value the fact they bring such attention to such important movements that need to happen and things that they're really passionate about cause they're still changing the world."

Earlier this month Prince Harry released an emotional statement addressing the couple’s treatment by certain media outlets in the British press.

The statement followed the revelation that the couple are suing The Mail On Sunday for breach of copyright and misuse of private information after the newspaper published one of Meghan’s private letters to her father, Thomas Markle.

And days later it was announced that Harry is reportedly taking legal action against two other publications over “the alleged illegal interception of voicemail messages”.

“Though this action may not be the safe one, it is the right one,” Prince Harry said in his statement. “Because my deepest fear is history repeating itself. I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person.

“I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces. We thank you, the public, for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated. Although it may not seem like it, we really need it.”