Meghan Markle has spoken over Zoom with Lauren Cowell, wife of Britain's Got Talent supremo Simon Cowell, after the pair "connected" over their shared experiences of intense public scrutiny.
Lauren, who lives with Simon at an £8m farmhouse in Chipping Norton, revealed the call came after Meghan reportedly moved to the Cotswolds with Prince Harry, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While some locals have been less than complimentary about the Duchess's arrival, Lauren has been supportive.
Shared experience of scrutiny
In 2013, it was revealed that Lauren was pregnant with Simon's child Adam while still married to businessman Andrew Silverman. The public fallout left her feeling "ashamed and embarrassed".
Speaking to The Sun, Lauren said: "I definitely feel a lot of, I don't want to say similarities, but I can relate to her in a lot of ways." She added that she beat herself up "so much" at the time and "allowed what other people were saying about me to define me".
Meghan has also spoken openly about her struggles after marrying into the Royal Family, telling Oprah Winfrey in 2021 that intense scrutiny left her feeling suicidal.
Charity work discussion
Lauren said the pair discussed "some charity work stuff" during the Zoom call, including their shared interest in children's online safety.
The Duchess's return to the UK has not been easy. Fears for her children's security led to her and Harry pulling them out of their school within two days of starting and relocating to another.
Cotswold locals have reportedly been left "furious" at her arrival and branded her "annoying". Some commentators have suggested Harry and Meghan could already be thinking about returning to the US. The Mail reported last month that "friends say the Sussexes could leave the UK if a Home Office review refuses them automatic police protection".
Family separated
Lauren is back in the UK with son Eric for the start of the school year after a summer in California, while Simon remains in the US after undergoing surgery linked to his serious back injury in 2020.
She admitted she and Eric are "missing Simon", saying: "I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I'm a nurturer and we're so close's o being this far away feels very odd. I feel helpless."
