Meghan Markle’s Makeup Artist Defends Her in Instagram Post Following Bullying Allegations
People close to Meghan Markle are coming to her defense. In the days since bullying claims have been made against the Duchess of Sussex, a number of the 39-year-old’s friends have spoken up. The latest is Daniel Martin, Meghan’s longtime makeup artist and friend.
Former royal staffers have accused Meghan Markle of bullying
A report published by The Times on March 2, 2021, details the allegations made by former royal staffers. Royal palace aides approached the publication to share a bullying complaint had been filed against Meghan when she and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, were still working royals.
According to the report, the complaint claims the Duchess of Sussex treated two personal assistants so poorly they left the royal household. Also in the complaint, it’s alleged Meghan had been “undermining the confidence” of another staffer.
Meghan and Harry’s communications team responded to the report shortly after its release denying the claims. According to Vanity Fair, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex described it as a “smear campaign.”
On March 3, 2021, Buckingham Palace announced they’re launching an investigation into the bullying allegations with the backing of Queen Elizabeth II.
This comes just days before Meghan and Harry’s Oprah Winfrey interview airs on March 7, 2021. It marks their first formal interview since stepping down as senior members of the royal family. Meghan and Harry spoke with Winfrey in February 2021, prior to the report’s publication.
Daniel Martin just shared a poem defending Meghan Markle
Following the bullying allegations, Martin, the makeup artist responsible for Meghan’s royal wedding look, took to Instagram to defend her.
On March 5, 2021, Martin shared a photo of him applying makeup to a smiling Meghan. He captioned the post with a poem from Tao Te Ching by philosopher Lao Tzu:
“Because she isn’t self centered,
people can see the light in her.
Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example.
Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit.
Because she wants nothing from the world,
the world cannot overcome her.”
Other friends of Meghan Markle’s have also been showing their support
Martin isn’t the only person who has recently spoken about Meghan’s character. A few others who have known the Duchess of Sussex for years have publicly stated the kind of person they know her to be. Janina Gavankar, an actor and close friend of Meghan’s who attended her and Harry’s royal wedding, came to defense on Twitter.
“I have known Meghan for 17 years,” Gavankar tweeted on March 4, 2021. “Here’s what she is: kind, strong, open. Here’s what she’s not: “a bully.” ANY of us who know her, feel the same thing from her broken silence: Relief. The truth shall set you free.”
Lindsay Roth, who has known Meghan since they were students at Northwestern University, also defended her.
“Meg’s M.O. has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones,” Roth wrote in the caption of an Instagram post. “I know this to be true after 22 years of very close friendship. I have seen firsthand how she treats her friends and their families, and her colleagues.”
