In her tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle had stinging words for many within the institution of the Royal family.
But one person she did not fault was her husband Prince Harry's grandmother, the Queen.
Sharing details of the kind gestures with which Queen Elizabeth made her feel part of the family, Meghan explained that the monarch even reminded her of her own grandmother.
Meghan said that the Queen had eaten breakfast with her, gifted her precious pearl earrings and a matching necklace, and even on one occasion shared a blanket with her.
The pregnant duchess recalled how: "The Queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me."
She said: "We had one of our first joint engagements together. She asked me to join her, and I was on the train.
"We have breakfast together that morning and she gave me a beautiful gift and I just really loved being in her company. She gave me some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace.”
Later that day, the Queen made a gesture that has stayed with Meghan.
"I remember we were in the car between engagements, and she has a blanket that sits across her knees for warmth.
"And it was chilly, and she was like, 'Meghan, come on,' and put it over my knees, as well."
The kindness touched Meghan, who says: "It made me think of my grandmother where she's always been warm and inviting and really welcoming."
The gesture came as the pair attended a ceremony for the opening of the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, in Widnes, Cheshire in June 2018.
They travelled to the ceremony together on the Royal train.
Meghan and Harry's explosive interview lifted the lid on rifts at Buckingham Palace as the couple claimed they were left with no alternative but to stand down from royal duty.
Revelations including an accusation of racism with the Royal family, the claim that Kate made Meghan cry, and that Charles no longer takes Prince Harry's calls.
Watch the full interview on ITV at 9pm on Monday night and on ITV Hub, Courtesy of Harpo Productions/CBS
