Meghan Markle has advised Americans to "open their arms" to help women feel more at ease in the United States, particularly during the holiday period.

It comes as the Duchess of Sussex conducted a solo engagement, hosting a dinner in Los Angeles for Afghan women who have settled in the US. In an interview with Marie Claire, Meghan was asked how women in similar circumstances can feel more at home in America. She said: "It’s really easy. Just think about how you’d want someone to treat you…how would you want someone to open their arms to you?"

Focusing on building communities and togetherness, Meghan hosted a dinner ahead of the upcoming winter holidays for the Southern California Welcome Project, which aims to support programmes for women resettled in the United States from Afghanistan.

Since quitting their royal duties in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken out several times about Meghan's struggle to adapt to life in the Royal Family.

During her interview with US TV host Oprah Winfrey, Meghan claimed how "lonely" she felt while she was still a working member of the Royal Family. Meghan said: "There were moments that [Harry] had to work or he had to go away; there were moments in the middle of the night. And so, there was very little that I was allowed to do.

"And so, yeah, of course, that breeds loneliness when you've come from such a full life or when you've come from freedom."

In the book 'Our King: Charles III, royal expert Robert Jobson claimed Meghan dismissed the late Queen's suggestion that the Duchess of Edinburgh help her adjust to life in the Royal Family. The late Queen reportedly also told Meghan she could forge ahead with her Hollywood career if she did not want to embrace royal duties full-time.

THIS IS A LIVE BLOG.... READ BELOW FOR UPDATES...