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TARGETED: Meghan Markle

THE ABUSE directed at Meghan Markle after photos from one particular occasion were shared online was behind the Royal Family’s decision to issue warnings to trolls, it has been reported.

It is understood that photos of Meghan from an outing last year were the target of a significantly high amount of online abuse and prompted the new guidelines.

In December, during an appearance at the British Fashion Awards, Meghan took to the stage to present Claire Waight Keller, the designer behind her wedding dress, with an award.

Meghan, who wore a one-shoulder black Givenchy dress, was photographed cradling her baby bump during the presentation.

When the image was shared online a torrent of abuse was aimed at the duchess.

On social media, some accused Meghan of excessively touching her baby bump and in the media, The Daily Express claimed the duchess broke royal protocol and referred to her dark nail polish as “vulgar”.

The negative reaction to the photos drove the Royal Family create guidelines to “create an environment where our community can engage safely in debate and is free to make comments, questions and suggestions”.

The Duchess of Cambridge has also had abuse directed at her online.

Neither of the duchesses have personal social media accounts but photos and updates about them both are regularly posted from palace accounts.

Earlier this week, the Royal Family published guidelines on how to interact with members online.

“We ask that anyone engaging with our social media channels shows courtesy, kindness and respect for all other members of our social media communities,” a statement on the Royal Family website reads.

Any offensive posts, or those which breach the guidelines, made on the Clarence House, Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace feeds may be hidden, deleted or reported to the police.

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