Meghan Markle defended after unexpected appearance in Paris sparks backlash from Princess Diana fans

The Duchess of Sussex's loyal fans have rushed to her defence this week, after she was savagely criticised for 'dishonouring' the memory of the late Princess Diana.

Meghan appeared in Paris, France over the weekend to visit the city's Fashion Week. Later, the 44-year-old took to social media to share a series of photographs and videos from her European vacation.

One clip, however, quickly set tongues wagging, as it appeared to show the former Suits actress travelling in a limousine past the city's Alexandre III and the Invalides bridges.

The location of the two landmarks is a stone's throw away from the Pont de l'Alma tunnel, where the late Princess of Wales, Diana - Meghan's husband Prince Harry's mother - died in 1997 in a fatal car crash that shook the globe.

Meghan appeared to be putting her feet up as she passed the site (Instagram/@meghan)

In Meghan's new clip, she could be seen putting her feet up in the prestigious vehicle as it passed by the site, stretching out as she relaxed.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, It didn't take long for a horde of Meghan haters to hit out at the Duchess online, accusing her of purposefully disrespecting the site in the video, and in turn, Princess Diana's honour.

"She 1000% did that on purpose," one social media user slammed her.

Another claimed: "I'm surprised she didn’t take a selfie at the crash site."

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also used the opportunity to condemn Meghan, claiming he didn't understand 'what on earth she was thinking'.

"Well, she can’t have been thinking," he continued. "No adviser would ever advise doing something so strange. I’m sure she didn’t mean to cause offense, she can’t have been thinking, but it’s insensitive beyond belief. It’s a complete absence of thought."

Fitzwilliams continued: "Diana’s death is a tragedy that has scarred so much of Harry’s life and I can’t imagine he would find this very appropriate.”

Princess Diana died in Paris in 1997 (Jacques Langevin/scottbaker-inquests.gov.uk via Getty Images)

As we say, however, in response to the criticism, a number of Meghan's fans have since pledged their support to the mother-of-two, pointing out that she didn't appear to act maliciously during her weekend in Europe.

"God forbid someone gets comfortable at any point in their life," one wrote online.

Another penned: "The fact that this is news with everything going on in the world right now is absolutely insane."

"Meghan can’t even blink without it being a problem," a third fan continued. "I bet Princess Diana would love her. She had to deal with the same bs from the media."

A fourth continued: "People are just reaching for ways they can hate Meghan Markle. Leave the woman alone."

"Laughable. How DARE she have her feet up for a car ride," another jibed. "This is quite the stretch."