HOLLY Willoughby has defended Meghan Markle as she hit back at a critic on This Morning today, saying that “rich people can still suffer with their mental health”.
The 40-year-old star was nothing but sympathetic towards the Duchess of Sussex on the show following her and Prince Harry’s bombshell Oprah interview, which aired in the US last night.
In the chat, Meghan, 39, broke down in tears as she recalled telling her husband that she “didn’t want to be alive anymore” and had suicidal thoughts – but was refused help from the Firm.
The interview was the focus of today’s This Morning, with Holly and her co-host Phillip Schofield discussing it with a selection of guests.
Julia Hartley-Brewer moaned during her appearance: “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!”
Holly interjected: “Mental health doesn’t discriminate on how wealthy you are.
“Haven’t we got past that thought process by now?”
Julia backtracked: “I do have every sympathy for a mum-to-be feeling that way.”
Matthew Wright later praised Holly for her comments, adding: “I’m very glad that Holly’s pointed out that the wealthy can be affected by negative mental health.
“History books are filled with the rich and famous killing themselves – either deliberately through suicide, or by default through drugs and alcohol abuse.”
In emotional scenes from the bombshell interview, Meghan said she begged for help with her mental health, but it was her husband who “saved” her.
She said that she was told she would not be able to seek help because it “wouldn’t be good for the institution”.
One night, while suffering suicidal thoughts, Meghan claimed that she forced herself to go to an event with Harry, 36, – because she felt she couldn’t be left alone, for fear of what she might do.
And she said while the lights were down during the Cirque du Soleil premiere at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2019, she was “weeping” while clutching Harry’s hand until his knuckles were white.
The Duchess of Sussex, who was six months pregnant at the time, said she would cry while the lights were down in the royal box before she would compose herself for the cameras and smile during the intervals.
Meghan revealed: “I was ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry because of how much loss he suffered.