Loose Women's Denise Welch rips into guest live on air over Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Denise Welch, a panellist on Loose Women, caused quite a stir when she fiercely defended Meghan Markle during a live broadcast. Meghan Markle has faced constant criticism since joining the Royal family, and Denise has had enough.

On Monday, May 6, the studio welcomed Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III before his coronation last year. He was there to discuss the monarch's battle with cancer.

However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when Dickie broached the topic of the strained relationship between the monarch and his son, Prince Harry. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle famously stepped back from their roles as senior working royals for a new life in America. Since then, the Duchess of Sussex has faced even more criticism.

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The couple first came under fire when rumours of their relationship began circulating in 2016. They have publicly condemned the negative media scrutiny they've received both individually and as a couple, and as parents to their two children, Archie and Lilibet, reports the Mirror.

For Denise, the decision by Meghan and Harry to leave Windsor and Frogmore Cottage behind was nothing short of logical. She passionately defended them, calling out Dickie for his own criticism of Meghan Markle. The 65-year-old initially asked: "If I may say, do you not think there is a reason why Harry did such a thing? ", referring to the Duke's decision to relocate from the UK to the US.

Denise then outlined the tragic history of King Charles III's family, tracing the initial wounds back to his marriage to a young Lady Diana "when he was in love with Camilla." "It ruined a lot of Diana's life", Denise said. She went on to recount how a young Prince Harry had to witness his mother's death following a fatal car chase with paparazzi, walk publicly behind her coffin and accept Queen Camilla as his stepmother.

"Then he has a wife who is completely and continually trashed by the media, including your good self", Denise added, turning towards Dickie, which prompted applause from some audience members. "I am just sick to death of the bashing that this woman gets...we continually berate this woman every day."

When Dickie countered that the Sussexes have faced criticism for their decision to leave the Royal Family, Denise vehemently defended them: "Why would they not walk out? Why would they want to spend their life in a country that hated them?"

Coleen Nolan swiftly stepped in to defuse the escalating situation, reminding the panellist that she hadn't anticipated a "debate" in the studio. However, Denise continued to fume, adding: "Don't have a guest on (...) I can say what I like!"

In response to the on-air tension between Denise Welch and Coleen Nolan, GMB star Denise Welch received a tremendous amount of support from viewers. Following Denise's impassioned defence of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, numerous users took to Twitter to express their appreciation. "Well done Denise, you wiped the floor with Dickie. Thank you for not being scared to be a voice for H@M", one person wrote.

"Makes me laugh that people are saying Denise isn't nice for standing up for Meghan and Harry, yet it's fine for so many "nice" people to have s****** them off for the past 6+ yrs", another agreed. A third viewer remarked: "Well said Denise, you are the voice of fairness and reason."

However, one viewer predicted that Denise would face repercussions for her stance due to Coleen Nolan's involvement. "I think Denise is going to be getting a firm talking to when @loosewomen is off air! However if she is passionate about a subject why shut her down? I thought #LooseWomen promotes strong women and opinions? " they questioned. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.