An upcoming documentary about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s recent trip to Africa showed Markle revealing that she’s been “vulnerable” in the spotlight as a royal and new mother. “Not many people have asked if I’m okay,” the Duchess said in the now-viral clip. Following that heartbreaking confession, one of the Duchess of Sussex’s close friends is coming to her defense.
On a recent episode of CBS This Morning, Markle’s makeup artist, Daniel Martin opened up about watching his friend face intense scrutiny from the British tabloids. In short: It’s been an incredibly difficult time for the Duchess.
At the top of the interview, Martin was asked how it’s been to watch his close friend get dissected by the British media. “To be honest, it’s been tough,” Martin said. “Watching this documentary, it’s almost been the relief seeing her at a point where she can be honest about what’s been happening. I feel like all of us who have known, we just didn’t know what to do or how to help, but I feel like just putting this out there, like it has been challenging, it’s hopefully demystified a lot about what’s going on over there.”
Markle is currently in a legal battle against the Daily Mail, which allegedly illegally published a private letter she sent to her father, Thomas Markle, in 2018.
Martin was asked how Markle is handling the lawsuit under the watchful eye of the press. He revealed that Markle’s singularly focused on protecting Prince Harry and baby Archie through the proceedings. “I think she has a lot on her plate and she just wants to make sure that her boys are safe,” he said. “I know her. She’s going to totally take care of this. It’s just understanding the ways around it.”
Keeping up close friendships outside of the royal family have been essential to Markle’s adjustment to her new role. Martin, whom Markle has known for a decade, has been part of several of her big occasions, including the royal wedding (he was responsible for Markle;s makeup) and her baby shower. The love is mutual: While Markle was in New York City for the U.S. Open in September, she snuck in a visit to Martin’s birthday party.
It’s unclear how long Markle’s lawsuit will last or what the outcome will be, but judging by Martin’s interview, she at least has dedicated friends to support her through it.
