The Duchess of Sussex phones female MP following open letter of support

'She was pleased to have seen that letter'

Earlier this week, a group of female MPs published an open letter of support for Meghan Markle, writing that some of the media rhetoric around her 'cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.'

The letter, signed by 72 female MPs from across the political spectrum, was an unprecedented move of support for the duchess, following her admission that she is 'not OK' in a recent ITV documentary.

'As women MPs of all political persuasions, we wanted to express our solidarity with you in taking a stand against the often distasteful and misleading nature of the stories printed in a number of our national newspapers concerning you, your character and your family,' the letter began.

'On occasions, stories and headlines have represented an invasion of your privacy and have sought to cast aspersions about your character as far as we can see.'

Now, MP for Halifax Holly Lynch has revealed that the duchess telephoned her after its publication. Speaking to ITV News, she said that the day after the letter was published, she received a call from Buckingham Palace asking if she was free to speak with the duchess.

'She was calling to thank myself and the other women MPs for standing with her, sending the open letter to say: "we as women in public office absolutely understand what she is going through,"' Ms Lynch said.

'Although in very different public roles, we stand with her in solidarity to say we shouldn't be tearing down women in public life through the press or otherwise, and she was pleased to have seen that letter.'

The pair also discussed the difficulties of juggling childcare and the pressures of being a public figure during their conversation.

Here's to women supporting other women everywhere.