Meghan Markle has claimed that although she “didn’t grow up pretty”, she did “grow up as the smart one.”

In an interview with Variety, the Duchess of Sussex also spoke about being envious of Paris Hilton and explained how she deals with people who make her angry.

When Meghan, 43, was asked what was one of the most challenging interviews she had done, the mum-of-two claimed it was her “Breaking down 'The Bimbo' with Paris Hilton” episode from her Spotify podcast series, Archetypes.

She said: “I was embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve had a judgement about her that’s based on everything I’ve seen, and I don’t like to come from a place of judgement. But I also didn’t grow up pretty.”

Meghan admitted that two "dangerous" emotions she had when she thought about Paris were "envy and judgement”.

She added: "Ultimately, I told her, ‘I’m really sorry that I judged you.’ I wanted her to be safe and comfortable."

During the interview, Meghan shared how she has done “a lot of internal work”, and says that this is “in the water” when you are from California.

The duchess also revealed what she does when people make her angry.

She said: “Whether you’re exercising or meditating, you’re sometimes asked to picture a person that makes you angry.

“You think about them, you get it all out, and then you’re asked to think about them as a 6-year-old child. Can you forgive them? That ’s how I contextually approach that.”

In another episode of her now defunct Spotify podcast, Meghan claimed she was a shy "ugly duckling" while growing up.

Meghan told comedian Mindy Kaling that she was a "shy loner" who became "the smart one" by throwing herself into extra-curricular activities.

During The Stigma of the Singleton with Mindy Kaling, the comedian asked Meghan: "Were you not the pretty one growing up?"

The Duchess of Sussex replied: "No, god no. Ugly duckling. Not conventional beauty - maybe now that would be seen as beautiful.

"I had massive frizzy curly hair. I had a huge gap in my teeth.

"I was the smart one, forever and ever and ever. And then just sort of grew up."

She added: "I never had anyone to sit with at lunch.

"I was always a little bit of a loner and really shy. I didn't know where I fit in.

"So I was like, oh I'll become president of the multicultural club, the president of sophomore class, of French club.

"And by doing that I had meetings at lunch time so I didn't have to worry about who I would sit with or what I would do."

Kaling said Meghan's confession made her "emotional" and added: "You do seem so intimidating.

"Your life is together. You're so beautiful. It's nice to know that you were a lonely kid who didn't necessarily begin that way."

Meghan ended the chat by saying: "I'm glad we both got to share with each other."