Meghan's stylist friend shares defiant message to Instagram trolls

The Duchess of Sussex isn't alone in being targeted by trolls on social media.

Sick of copping negativity from armchair critics on Instagram, one of Meghan's closest friends Jessica Mulroney has shared a defiant message.

Over the weekend, the Canadian stylist shared a photo of herself in a bikini, gazing across a swimming pool with her back to the camera — standard Instagram holiday fare.

Unfortunately, being a woman in the public eye, Mulroney is subject to a level of scrutiny incomprehensible to most of us, and even her simplest uploads attract negativity.

In this case, the flood of nasty comments aimed at her choice of cheeky-cut bikini and her physique was enough to compel the mum of three to take the image down.

However, a day later, she took a stand and reposted the photo in question with a defiant message for the trolls "attacking" her.

"I realised today, I don't care. I work hard on every aspect of my life and I'm proud of my body," Mulroney wrote.

"I'm proud of the work I do. I'm proud that I'm driven. I'm proud of it all.

"And if we can't be proud of ourselves, then what's the point? No more apologies."

When a handful of commenters proceeded to continue the criticism, the brand strategist refused to back down.

LISTEN: 9Honey's The Windsors podcast takes a closer look at Meghan's transition from actress to Duchess. (Post continues.)

"That's a shame for you," she replied to one woman who declared she'd be "humiliated" if she were one of Mulroney's children with friends looking at the photo.

When another questioned her over being proud of her body, Mulroney simply asked, "Ooooff. What's going [on] in your life?"

The brand strategist's husband, TV personality Ben Mulroney, was among those who left supportive messages on the post, writing, "Proud of you, honey."

The Mulroneys became close friends of the Duchess of Sussex's when she was living in Toronto while filming TV drama Suits.

They were reportedly among the first to meet Prince Harry during his visits to the city when he and Meghan began dating, with the foursome spending plenty of time together.

Although Meghan has since relocated to the UK, she remains close with the so-called 'power couple'.

This was evidenced by their three children playing key roles in the royal couple's wedding in May 2018.

Jessica was also among the small group of close friends who attended Meghan's exclusive baby shower in New York earlier this year.