Dame Joan Collins says calling Meghan Markle a diva is “a compliment” as she slams the Sussexes in an interview on Good Morning Britain.
Appearing on the ITV early morning show, the 89-year-old asked hosts Martin Lewis and Susanna Reid if they should give Prince Harry and his wife Meghan “more oxygen”.
The veteran actress was promoting her new musical film Tomorrow Morning when she was asked about her thoughts of the ‘other Duchesses’.
“Who could that be? I have no idea,” she joked as Meghan and Harry have arrived in the UK for the first time since the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June.
Meghan, 41, was previously concerned after Mariah Carey called her a diva on her brand-new Archetypes podcast released on Spotify.
The duchess said the comment made her think about the 'nonsense' Mariah may have read about her – saying the conversation made her 'sweat' and 'stopped her in her tracks'.
Mariah later clarified what she meant, Tweeting a link to the podcast.
She said: “Really enjoyed talking to Duchess and Diva Meghan Markle about 'The Duality of Diva.'
“Yes! I called her a diva, in the most fabulous, gorgeous, and empowering meaning of the word!!! #Archetypes.”
While Dame Joan appeared on GMB, Susanna asked what she thought of the comments.
"She's over at the moment. She took exception to being called a diva by Mariah Carey,” she probed.
Joan replied: “Oh really? I think it's rather nice to be called a diva, now and again. I mean, it's supposed to be a compliment.”
Her recent TV appearance comes after she suffered a pinched nerve in her leg in July and was admitted to the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco for treatment.
Her representative confirmed that she is now "doing fine" following the health scare, adding: "The pain has been excruciating but fortunately she's dealt with it, and she's okay now."
Last month, the rep added that Dame Joan is "enjoying the rest of her holiday in St. Tropez" as she recovers, but added that pinched nerves are brutal and "the most painful thing".
Pinched nerves can cause intense pain. They occur when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons.
Symptoms can also include tingling, numbness and overall weakness. Rest is the most common cure, although more serious cases can require surgery.
Though the condition was painful, Dame Joan says she was grateful for the hospital staff's care of her. She wrote: "Not fun! But they were great!"
