The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended Meghan Markle and Prince Harry from abuse, arguing that they are serving a 'life sentence'.
Justin Welby, who previously said the royal couple deserved a break, has hit out at the racist abuse directed towards the Duchess of Sussex.
The cleric said the former actress was a person of 'profound humanity and deep concern for people' and described the trolling she receives as 'absolutely terrible'.
He raised concerns about how Meghan has been treated after Radio Five Live presenter Emma Barnett asked him whether he thought some of it was motivated by racism.
The Archbishop said: "I would obviously be immensely concerned about all racist behaviour and, particularly when it's someone you know, you just think this is so totally undeserved.
"They (the royal family) are born into it and one of the things, with the great privilege of meeting some of them, that I'm most aware of is their sheer sense of duty and commitment, which means they know this is a life sentence.
"Even if they decided to withdraw from public life and never take any money and disappear, they would still be pursued because they'd be the ex-you know Duke of Rock or whatever. It is genuinely a life sentence."
Mr Welby also criticised some of the 'portrayals' of Meghan, who has been under intense media scrutiny since she wed Prince Harry last year, Mail Online reports.
The cleric, who married the pair, previously told The Times he felt the couple should be allowed to take time off as they are not 'superhuman'.
He added that he also feels 'deep sympathy' for others in the spotlight, such as politicians, who are subject to trolling online.
The Archbishop said he admired politicians because they are willing to put themselves in the 'firing line' - although he disagrees with the abuse they receive.
