Hillary Clinton believes that racism has a role in the current backlash towards the Duchess of Sussex.

Describing herself as a "Meghan Markle fan", the former US First Lady said that if racism was indeed the cause of the current media vitriol about the royal, then "shame on everybody".

In a new interview with the Sunday Times, Clinton initially said of Meghan: "I do want to say that the way she’s been treated is inexplicable.”

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When the journalist goes onto to ask Clinton if she thinks that the reason is racism, she replies, “It’s certainly part of it... Well, I think if the explanation is that she’s biracial, then shame on everybody.”

Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, who also took part in the interview, thinks the Duchess' former career and desire to speak out about what she believes in has irked traditionalists.

"It’s because she proudly had a career first and has a voice that she thankfully continues to use," she 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," she continued. "And also isn’t willing to be bullied.”

Weeks ago, Prince Harry made a public statement announcing that he and his wife are suing The Mail after the newspaper illegally published a private letter between the Duchess and her father, Thomas Markle. The tabloid edited the document to portray a damning view of the royal.