Sarah Ferguson blames 'vicious' social media trolls for driving a wedge between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle

Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson has hit out against online bullies who pit woman against other women in their 'vicious and hurtful' posts.

The 60-year-old, blasted social media as a 'sewer' where trolls make comments they would never say to someone's face.

Fergie, as she was affectionately known, made the comments to the Australian Women's Weekly, claiming online trolls are to blame for driving a wedge between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton.

Her daughters Eugenie, 30, and Beatrice, 31, have also been the butt of online jokes when they were compared to Cinderella's stepsisters at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding in 2011.

Sarah told Australian Women’s Weekly: “Social media has become a sewer where people say things they wouldn’t dream of saying face-to-face.

“I feel very strongly about the importance of good manners and respect and about the impact of social media in the modern world.

“Women are pitted against other women. Trolling online is vicious and hurtful. We have to stand against it.

“Let’s all try to treat each other a little more gently and be kinder. Let’s all try to think before we post.

“Before starting an argument online, take a deep breath and try to respect someone else’s position.

“Where we see others behaving unacceptably, let’s call it out. It’s an old motto but a good one - if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

It comes just months after it was claimed Meghan was aware she was being 'pitted against' future queen Kate Middleton and found the situation 'challenging', according to a royal source.