How Meghan Markle's heartfelt letter helped a struggling fellow student

A former classmate of Meghan Markle has spoken of the lasting effects of a thoughtful handwritten letter she received from the future Duchess of Sussex as a schoolgirl.

The note, signed “I love you, Meghan”, made headlines earlier this week when it featured in a Channel 5 documentary about the actress-turned-royal.

Now, its recipient Michelle Fanara has shared just how touched she was by Meghan’s kindness during their time together at Los Angeles’ Immaculate Heart High School.

In 1993, when the letter was written, Michelle was struggling to cope in the aftermath of her great-aunt’s death - something the future Suits star was observant of.

Meghan’s letter - written in the beautiful cursive that saw her become a freelance calligrapher - reflects the genuine care and concern she had for her peer.

“Dear Michelle, you are so strong and so wonderful. Your strength in times of hardship is as admirable as your optimism and friendly nature,” the Duchess wrote.

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Sure enough, it was still tucked between the pages of her senior yearbook - and in her searching, Michelle discovered a second message from Meghan in another yearbook.

It read: “Though I haven’t known you too long, I can already tell you’re a great person! I can’t wait to see you next year.”

Though they’ve been out of school for many years now, Michelle tells Inside Edition the effect of Meghan’s kind words has stayed with her.

"Meghan wrote [Michelle] the most wonderful loving note, even though Meghan was not her close friend at all,” Knudsen recalled.