Thomas Markle, father of Meghan Markle, has been vocal about his disappointment regarding his estranged relationship with his daughter and her family. His latest comments, particularly concerning the upbringing of his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have sparked significant attention and controversy.
A Strained Relationship
The bond between Meghan Markle and her father, Thomas, was once strong but began to deteriorate rapidly before her marriage to Prince Harry. The turning point came when Thomas was caught staging paparazzi photos with a British tabloid and subsequently lying to Meghan about it. This incident led to a major fallout, with Thomas admitting on “Good Morning Britain” that he had apologized “at least 100 times or so,” but Meghan remained unresponsive. The situation was especially painful for Thomas as he was unable to support Meghan during her struggles with depression, largely due to the pressures from the Royal Family and the British media. “I love my daughter very much,” Thomas expressed. “Had I known she was having psychological problems, I would have been there for her… The biggest problem here is she’s pretty much ghosted all of her family.”
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Despite his claims of wanting to reconcile, Thomas’s actions and public statements suggest otherwise. Since their estrangement, he has been outspoken, often criticizing Meghan and Harry’s decisions and offering unsolicited opinions on their parenting.
Missing Out on Royal Life
One of Thomas Markle’s primary grievances is that his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, are being deprived of royal privileges and experiences. He believes that by stepping down as senior royals, Meghan and Harry have inadvertently denied their children the benefits and opportunities associated with their royal status. Speaking to New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, Thomas lamented, “It struck me as very sad that Meghan and Harry’s kids are being denied the right to know their cousins… Or take part in things like Trooping the Colour, which is their birthright.” He further speculated on whether Archie and Lilibet would understand the gravity of what they are missing as they grow older.
Thomas has yet to meet Prince Harry or his grandchildren, a fact that adds to his bitterness. In his “Good Morning Britain” interview, he expressed his heartbreak, stating, “I’m heartbroken. I am very upset. This is a cruel thing to do to a grandparent, to deny the right to see a grandchild.” Despite having the legal option to pursue visitation rights in California, he has chosen not to, asserting, “I’ve done nothing wrong. There’s nothing that points to say I’m a bad guy.”
Criticizing Meghan and Harry’s Parenting
Thomas Markle has not shied away from criticizing Meghan and Harry’s parenting choices. He has publicly condemned Meghan for traveling to Europe when Lilibet was only a few months old. Speaking to GB News, he remarked, “To fly all the way over and not bring the children. That’s ridiculous. Most mothers don’t leave a nine-month-old child behind. They usually hold on to that child until the child gets a little older.”
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In another interview with Fox News, Thomas suggested that Archie and Lilibet are unfairly suffering due to their parent’s decision to leave the Royal Family. “Archie and Lili are small children. They’re not politics,” he commented. “They’re not pawns. They’re not part of the game.”
Despite his harsh words, Thomas seems to have come to terms with the likelihood that he will never be part of his grandchildren’s lives. Before his 80th birthday, he told The Daily Mail, “I know the one person I most want to hear from, Meghan, won’t be in touch. I would love to meet my grandchildren, but I would be happy with a photograph at this stage.”
The Ongoing Drama
The ongoing drama between Thomas Markle and Meghan Markle continues to captivate public interest. Thomas’s frequent media appearances and outspoken nature ensure that his opinions remain in the spotlight. While he claims to desire reconciliation, his repeated public criticisms and unsolicited advice suggest a more complex and strained relationship.
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As the children of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry grow older, it remains to be seen how these familial tensions will impact them and whether there will ever be a resolution to the Markle family feud.
