George Clooney compares Meghan to Princess Diana, saying: 'We've seen how that ends'
The actor has spoken out after the publication of a letter from Meghan to father Thomas Markle, saying she is being "vilified".
Tuesday 12 February 2019 10:12, UK
George Clooney has hit out at media treatment of the Duchess of Sussex, comparing it to that of Princess Diana and saying: "We've seen how that ends."
The actor, who attended the royal wedding with wife Amal last year, said Meghan was a "seven months pregnant" woman who is being "pursued and vilified".
It comes after the publication of a personal letter apparently written by the duchess to her father, Thomas Markle, telling him her heart was "broken into a million pieces" because he gave press interviews, fabricated stories and attacked Prince Harry.
Clooney, 57, made the comments after joking about a report suggesting he would be named godfather to Harry and Meghan's baby.
Speaking at an event in Los Angeles, the Hollywood star said: "I do want to say, I just saw this piece.
"They're just chasing Meghan Markle everywhere, she's been pursued and vilified.
"She's a woman who is seven months pregnant and she is being pursued and vilified and chased in the same way that Diana was, and it's history repeating itself. And we've seen how that ends."
Clooney said it was "irresponsible" and that Meghan was getting a "raw deal".
He continued: "I can't tell you how frustrating it is to see that. You're taking a letter from a daughter to a father and broadcasting it everywhere.
"She's getting a raw deal there, it's irresponsible. I'm sort of surprised by that."
Clooney and Amal, a human rights lawyer, are parents to 18-month-old twins, Ella and Alexander.
He joked that he had enough "s***" to deal with without becoming a godfather as well.
"I'm now a father of twins," he said. "I've got enough s***. Literally, literally s***."
Former Suits actress Meghan, 37, is estranged from her father after a string of high-profile incidents following her engagement to Harry.
Days before the royal wedding, Mr Markle, who lives in Mexico, allegedly staged paparazzi photos of himself. He did not attend the ceremony, held in Windsor in May last year, after he suffered a heart attack.
He has told media outlets he has been shunned by his daughter and her husband, and has made public appeals for her to get in touch with him.
The tone of the coverage on Meghan has shifted in recent months, amid reports that the duchess has been upsetting the royal staff and whether she has fallen out with Kate.
Meghan revealed in January that her baby is due around the end of April or beginning of May.