Meghan Markle's best friends slam 'global bullying' of duchess in candid interview

Meghan Markle's girlfriends are coming to her defense in a candid new story.

Speaking with People for the magazine's latest cover story, "five women who form an essential part of Meghan's inner circle" opened up about what the duchess is really like behind closed doors and defend their friend following months of negative headlines about the former "Suits" star.

They told People that they decided to speak out in order to "stand up against the global bullying we are seeing and speak the truth about our friend."

SEE ALSO: How Prince Harry is doting on Duchess Meghan during her pregnancy

During a series of interviews, the unnamed women, "who requested anonymity to protect private relationships they hold dear," dispelled a variety of claims that have been made about the Duchess of Sussex in an effort to protect her and her unborn baby. She's expected to give birth to her first child in late April.

"Meg has silently sat back and endured the lies and untruths," a former co-star explained. "We worry about what this is doing to her and the baby. It's wrong to put anyone under this level of emotional trauma, let alone when they're pregnant."

One of the most major allegations that they shot down are the ones being made by Meghan's estranged half-siblings, Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle Jr. Meghan's friends say she was never close with them.

"They have been made to appear as siblings who had this falling out, and that's not the truth at all," one of Meghan's longtime friends explained. "They were not a part of her life."

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle has 'a lot of control' in her relationship with Prince Harry

It's a bit of a different story with her father, Thomas Markle, though. Ever since he controversially dropped out of appearing at his daughter's wedding at the last minute, the former lighting producer has claimed that he's tried to get in touch with Meghan to no avail. Those closest to her say that that's also not the case.

"He knows how to get in touch with her," one friend revealed. "He's never called; he's never texted. It's super painful."

Read more about Meghan Markle's best friends breaking their silence here.