Meghan Markle Encouraged 'Very Shy' Friend In A Handwritten Letter, Headmistress Says

Meghan Markle has been a source of encouragement for her friends.

The Duchess of Sussex had a "very shy" classmate in high school named Michelle. According to her former teacher, Markle penned a loving note to encourage her to get over her shyness.

"Dear Michelle, you are so strong and so wonderful - your courage in strength in terms of hardships is as admirable as your optimism and friendly nature," Markle wrote (via Daily Mail). "I am so lucky to have you in my group and to be able to lead you on this adventure. Never stop sharing your beautiful spirit and always remember how special you are... I am here if you ever need me. I love you, Meghan."

According to their teachers, her classmate was "a bit of a loner," and Markle's letter was intended to help Michelle boost her self-confidence. "I got this letter from one of the students in her group," Markle's former head teacher Christine Knudsen said. "Meghan wrote her the most wonderful loving note… even though Meghan was not her close friend at all. It just shows the depth of her heart."

Markle's religious studies teacher Maria Polio also revealed how Markle approached her and asked about helping homeless people on California's Skid Row. She commended the Duchess of Sussex's humanitarian effort.

"One day, after class, Meghan approached me and said, 'So tell me more about serving on Skid Row,'" Pollia recalled. "And so I suggested she continued to volunteer at this soup kitchen in her senior year. Meghan always took it a step further, not just distributing food but learning people's names, learning their stories."

Prince Harry's wife started her advocacy for women when she was just 11 years old. According to Markle, after seeing a dishwashing advertisement, "I unknowingly and somehow accidentally became a female advocate."

Markle saw an ad with a tagline that read, "woman all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans." Two boys from the class apparently agreed that girls belonged in the kitchen, which "shocked" her and made her "angry."

Markle penned a letter to the company and to then-first lady Hillary Clinton, Linda Ellerbee and Gloria Allred. A month later, the company changed it to "people all over America."