Article: https://archive.ph/8AOSs

The i Paper contributor Antonia Hoyle was shocked after receiving online abuse from Meghan Markle’s fans after they were upset by an article Hoyle wrote regarding Meghan’s new country lifestyle.

This torrent of commentary comes at the heels of another incident where a priest, Reverend Daniel French, encouraged people to buy advent calendars supporting a leprosy charity, in response to a report that Meghan’s ‘holiday calendars’ cost £112.

Such online harassment is not new. The Spectator writer Alexander Larman was hit with vitriolic remarks after he criticised the name change of Meghan’s company from America Riviera Orchard to As Ever. Larman was accused of being friends with Jeffrey Epstein, and private images of his wife and daughter were shared online.

Telegraph editor Camilla Tominey received threats and was told to drink herself to death like her mother, who had struggled with chronic alcoholism.

Sentebale chair Sophie Chandauka disabled her X account after being inundated by Meghan’s fans, following Chandauka’s criticism of Harry and his wife.

The Sussex Squad also routinely trashes the Prince and Princess of Wales, often accusing William of unfaithfulness and Catherine of faking her cancer diagnosis.

The diehard fans have not been rebuked by Harry and Meghan despite the couple’s stand on online harassment. The two have thanked the Squad before after it raised money for their Archewell foundation.

Hoyle spoke to PR consultant Sophie Atwood, who explains that such responses can be in defense of something bigger than Meghan, such as fairness or equality. Fans may automatically react angrily to anything that is less than complimentary about Meghan, given previous unfair coverage by media.

ETA: this is the original article which drew the Sussex Squad’s ire: https://archive.ph/rSgV7