Meghan Markle shares previously unseen images to Instagram as father takes aim at royal couple in new documentary
Thomas Markle has defended doing a paid interview about his bitter feud with daughter, Meghan, as he shared childhood images of her.
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Thomas Markle has defended doing a paid interview about his feud with daughter Meghan Markle, saying he would do it again, as Oprah backed the couple’s decision to quit the royal family.
In a blistering tirade, Meghan’s estranged father put the final nail in the coffin of their relationship, saying he plans on cashing in again from his famous daughter.
“I’m going to defend myself, I’m not going to refuse being paid for it. I’ll do future things and be paid for it, I don’t care,” Thomas Markle, 75, said.
“Harry owes me, Meghan owes me, what I’ve been through I deserve to be rewarded for.”
The latest instalment in the Markle versus Markle battle included extensive footage and pictures of Meghan as a child.
The home movies seen in the documentary Thomas Markle: My Story showed a happy Meghan when the pair had a good relationship.
Mr Markle hit out at claims from Meghan that she paid her college fees on her own, saying he forked out and it took him years to pay back.
The interview, conducted over several days at his home in Mexico, shows an isolated Mr Markle frustrated at being frozen out from his daughter’s life.
He admits to leaking a letter that Meghan sent to him the Mail on Sunday, which is now the subject of a lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey has defended Prince Harry and Meghan, giving her seal of approval to the royal resignation.
“I support them 1000 per cent. I support them because I believe that when you have thought about this as long as they have,” Oprah said.
“In the Queen’s statement, take note, this has been going on for months.”
Her comments came just hours before Mr Markle’s interview aired. Another of Meghan’s friends, US television host Gayle King, also spoke out in her defence, rejecting reports that the Queen did not know in advance that the couple wanted to quit royal duties.
“Prince Harry didn’t make that decision in a vacuum. There were a lot of conversations,” she said.
“That’s why I thought it was very unfair to say that the Queen was blindsided.”
Mr Markle missed his daughter’s wedding after he had a heart attack.
He had been under stress in the fallout when paparazzi photographs that he participated in were published.
Prince Charles walked Meghan down the aisle at the May 2018 wedding, which Mr Markle watched from a safe house to avoid further paparazzi shots.
He claimed that he naively agreed to pose for the photographs to improve his image, after months of negative headlines in the lead up to the wedding.
“I feel kind of stupid, I should have been a little bit smarter about it, I should have been a little less trusting,” Mr Markle said.
“I said I want to apologise, I want to apologise to the queen and to the royal family.”
But he claimed that he was told to say nothing.
Mr Markle also hit out at Prince Harry, saying he was no longer 12 years old, in what could be seen as a reference to the age he was when his mother, Princess Diana, died.
“They decided to damage me even more. I felt I had to defend myself, so I published part of the letter,” he said.
“Harry’s way too sensitive, he’s not 12 years old any more, he’s no right to be this sensitive.
“I think both of them are turning into lost souls.”
In the documentary, Mr Markle accused his daughter of “cheapening” the British royal family.
Aside from Sunday’s clip, the rest of Thomas Markle: My Story was recorded for Channel 5 in October 2019 over six days at his home in Mexico, before that decision.
In extracts released by the broadcaster, Mr Markle gives his perspective on the rift with his daughter and apologises for missing Meghan and Prince Harry’s wedding. Confusion over whether Meghan’s father would come to Windsor to walk her down the aisle threatened to overshadow her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018, and eventually he did not travel after suffering a heart attack.
“I want to apologise to the Queen and to the royal family,” he said in a clip regarding the wedding.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to cut down on official engagements has sparked turmoil in the royal family, and the couple will now give up royal duties entirely in order to pursue an independent future as a result of Buckingham Palace’s announcement.
Mr Markle said that the portrayal of him in the media had been unfair and that he decided to make the documentary “because I want everyone to know that I’m not all the trashy things that are being said about me.”
“I want Harry and Meghan to see this video and know that this is not fair,” he said.
Thomas Markle and his daughter have been estranged since her marriage to Harry. Earlier this month, Britain’s Mail on Sunday newspaper submitted its defence to court action by Meghan over the publication of a private letter she sent her father.
He said that it was “almost a joke” that he heard news of Meghan’s pregnancy on the radio rather than directly from his daughter, and said it was possible the couple would not see him again.
“The last time they might see me is being lowered into the ground,” he said.
“I don’t think at this point they are thrilled to see me or want to talk to me.”
ARCHIE’S GODPARENTS REVEALED
Prince Harry and Meghan made the controversial decision during baby Archie’s July 2019 christening to not reveal the identities of the newborn’s godparents.
Despite much criticism for breaking royal tradition, they stuck to their guns.
Six months later, The Sunday Times is reporting that Prince Harry’s childhood nanny Tiggy Pettifer was named Archie’s godmother, while Harry’s good friends Mark Dyer and Charlie van Straubenzee are two of his godfathers.
Ms Pettifer looked after both Harry and William from 1993 to 1999, playing an important role in their lives after the 1997 death of their mother, Princess Diana.
Mr Dyer has been more of a mentor to Harry, helping him establish his charity Sentebale, while Mr Straubenzee is a childhood friend of both Harry and William.
One of Prince Harry's closest friends Charlie van Straubenzee is marrying Daisy Jenks on Saturday in Surrey. It has been reported Harry will be Best Man. It's very likely we'll see Meghan there - Saturday also marks her 37th birthday. pic.twitter.com/7oyMpxMEZj
— Mad About Meghan (@MadAboutMeghan) July 30, 2018
The Times also specified that royal babies usually have around six godparents, meaning there are likely even more potential caretakers who have yet to be revealed.
MEGHAN’S INSTAGRAM RETURN
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has dropped a carefully timed Instagram post of her visit to a London animal shelter during her brief stint in the UK earlier this month.
The images, shared on the Sussex Royal Instagram account, revealed Meghan made a secret trip to the Mayhew animal shelter.
“The Duchess of Sussex popped in to see the amazing people at Mayhew to hear about the incredible progress made throughout the festive period,” the post on @sussexroyal said.
“The Duchess of Sussex, having been proud patron of Mayhew since January 2019 and long understanding the connection between animal and community welfare, applauds the people at Mayhew for the vital work that they do every day.
“From cats and dogs who have found new homes to animal welfare cases handled in the community – @TheMayhew believes in the power of togetherness and the special bond between humans and animals.”
CLASH OVER HARRY, MEGHAN’S $11M BILL
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have turned to her mother Doria Ragland for support, amid growing controversy about their $A11.5 million security bill.
Photographs have confirmed that British police were still guarding the early-retired royal couple, alongside the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The UK protection officers are paid up to $A190,000 each year before overtime and expenses, including flights, which has seen the cost of securing the couple increase significantly.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s plans for a “peaceful life” have backfired as paparazzi follow their every move in Canada.
Their legal firm Schillings has sent a letter to UK media outlets claiming pictures of baby Archie and Meghan walking with her dogs in the Canadian woods were taken by someone “hiding in the bushes”.
Meghan, 38, was smiling and looking at the camera in the photographs, but sources told the UK’s Telegraph that the couple did not consent to the images and were worried about the ongoing paparazzi presence at their home.
Prince Harry, 35, was photographed as he arrived at an airport in Canada to be reunited with his wife. He was also being protected by UK security.
The couple were left alone in the UK because of a deal between newspapers and Buckingham Palace.
There has been an accord that the papers would not publish paparazzi photographs of the royals, with images restricted to official events.
However, now outside the royal bubble the couple have been considered “fair game” by photographers.
The couple has turned to Ms Ragland, 63, who has been described as a calming figure during the couple’s “divorce” from the royal family.
“Doria has been an absolute tower of strength in recent months – not just for Meghan but for Harry too,” a source told The Sun.
“He obviously doesn’t have a mum whom he can turn to for advice but he has always been incredibly close to Doria and never more so than now.
“Harry has a huge amount of respect for her and for her judgment which is why he and Meghan have both spoken to her throughout about what they planned to do.”
Ms Ragland’s attitude was in contrast to Thomas Markle, her ex husband, who sold paparazzi pictures of himself before the royal wedding.
Meghan is now suing the Mail on Sunday over a letter she sent to the former movie lighting director, which was leaked to the paper.
“Doria is the polar opposite to her ex-husband. She’s been the epitome of calmness throughout and both Meghan and Harry trust her and her judgment 100 per cent,” the source said.
“Doria simply made it clear to them that whichever path they decided to go down she would support them. But she also warned that they needed to be mindful whatever decision they did make as it was unlikely they could ever change their mind.”
The interest in Prince Harry and Meghan was unlikely to fade based on Netflix viewing figures of the series The Crown.
More than 21 million people have streamed the third series of the program in its first month, bringing the series total to 73 million since 2016.
The couple remain at a lavish Vancouver Island mansion as they plot out their new lives, after a deal was done for them to leave the royal family this week.
The couple want to become financially independent, but the Queen rejected their suggestion of being part-time royals.
They have been linked to Netflix to work on documentaries but there remains a dispute as to whether they will be able to use the Sussex Royal brand name.
ROYALS’ NEW WARNING OVER PHOTOS
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fired the next shot in their war with the press, reportedly issuing a legal warning to the media after photographs of the Duchess of Sussex in Canada were published in newspapers and on websites.
Lawyers for the royal couple allege the photos of Meghan walking her dogs and carrying her son, Archie, were taken by photographers hiding in bushes and spying on her.
They say she did not consent and accused the photographers of harassment, with the couple saying they are prepared to take legal action.
Prince Harry and Meghan are said to be alarmed by paparazzi activity near their temporary base on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Lawyers allege there have also been attempts to photograph inside their home using long-range lenses and they accuse the paparazzi of being camped outside the property.
Under laws in British Columbia, the duchess may have grounds for a legal case if she can prove her privacy has been violated, although freedom of the press and expression is guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Meghan was pictured carrying the couple’s eight-month-old son Archie in a baby sling, while walking her two dogs, Guy and Oz, in North Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island.
This comes after the Queen agreed to the couple’s wish to step back from being full-time royals, to become financially independent and to split their time between the UK and Canada.
PALACE GAFFE OVER MEGHAN ‘DIVORCE’
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has admitted to an embarrassing blunder over Meghan — giving her a title that suggested she was divorced from Prince Harry, according to reports.
Announcing that the couple would give up using HRH — for His and Her Royal Highness — palace aides then said they would be referred to as Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reports the New York Post.
But that particular formatting with a comma has only previously been used for women who were divorced from the royal family, such as Diana, Princess of Wales, and Sarah, Duchess of York, Sky News noted.
The palace admitted to the British broadcaster that it was an error, with officials expected to announce later the correct way to refer to the post-Megxit duchess, Sky said.
“It inadvertently gives all the wrong messages,” said Sky’s events commentator Alastair Bruce, calling the first name and comma before the title a “template for a divorced wife.”
“This will be revisited and I’m sure that the expert, called Garter King of Arms, can provide advice.”
They are likely to revert to simply the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, without the HRH, the Daily Mail said.
The blunder came as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry’s stepmother, commented on the saga for the first time.
Asked if she would miss Prince Harry and Meghan during an official visit, she smiled and said: “Course.”
Meghan, meanwhile, did get divorced prior to her wedding to Prince Harry. She was married to TV producer Trevor Engleson from 2011 to 2013. He also remarried in 2018.
Prince Harry’s relationship with the former Suits star is long rumoured to have been behind a rift with his brother, Prince William, that ultimately led to “Megxit: The duchess’ estranged sister, Samantha Markle, also believes she never intended to settle into royal life but used it as a stepping stone to “be Hollywood.”
HARRY BEGINS NEW LIFE IN CANADA
The Duke of Sussex finally touched down in Canada to begin his new life with wife Meghan and son Archie after his final royal engagement in London.
In a sign that he may not get the “peaceful life” that he craves, a bemused Prince Harry was greeted by paparazzi photographers as he arrived at Victoria Airport before he was reunited with his wife and son at the oceanfront mansion where Meghan and Archie have been staying for the past two months.
Hours earlier, Meghan was snapped by photographers walking her two dogs as she carried baby Archie in a sling.
Prince Harry’s arrival in Canada came after a whirlwind few days during which he delivered an emotional speech about quitting as a senior royal and carried out his final engagement.
After wrapping up his appearance at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London, the Duke of Sussex caught a British Airways flight to Vancouver International, before catching a smaller WestJet plane to Victoria Airport arriving at 9.45pm local time (4.45pm AEDT) on Monday night.
The Duke of Sussex ditched a reception for African leaders at Buckingham Palace — his brother Prince William’s first solo reception — choosing to start his new life a night early.
He has been separated from Meghan for close to two weeks as he ironed out his exit deal from the royal family.
It has emerged that the Queen came close to taking away Prince Harry’s title as the Duke of Sussex but pulled back to avoid looking “petty”.
Prince Harry and Meghan will still be referred to as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but they were nearly reduced to being just an earl and a countess.
The move would have dashed their plans to use the Sussex brand as they strike out from the royal family and seek financial independence.
The Queen, who was criticised as being harsh in the way she dealt with Princess Diana’s decision to walk away from the monarchy after her divorce from Prince Charles, was lenient on Harry.
“The Sussex title is one of the ancient royal dukedoms given to him ahead of his wedding to Meghan, along with other titles. Removing it was seriously considered and discussed at the highest level,” a source told London’s Evening Standard newspaper.
The Queen did not want to look “petty”, the source added.
Prince Harry was unhappy with the final Megxit deal, which has stopped him from carrying out the military roles that he loved so dearly.
The Duke of Sussex made that clear when he delivered a speech at an event for his charity Sentebale, which works to help vulnerable children in Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi.
Johnny Hornby, chairman of Sentebale, said the Duke had told him the royal family’s solution was not something he “ideally” wanted.
Mr Hornby said he did not care what Prince Harry was called and backed him to move on helping people across the world.
“I think he has a kind of unique ability and an aura around him when he’s with children, when he’s with any gathering, I think his passion comes over,” he told the BBC.
“We don’t need from Sentebale’s perspective his title, we just need his time and his passion and he’s committed to give us that.”
HARRY AND WILLIAM PATCH UP FEUD
The defiant stance comes as Prince Harry patched up his relationship with Prince William, 37, after a bitter two-year feud, but is still at war with his dad.
He plans to set up a new life in North America, with Canada as a base, but also with time to be spent in the United States.
There are fights among royal aides over how the couple will make their money, with experts telling The Daily Mirror their combined star power could make their Sussex Royal brand a $2 billion behemoth.
Netflix, which has been on a spending spree, is among the partners looking to work with Prince Harry and Meghan, who plan to set up their own TV production company, it was reported.
They planned to do voice overs for documentaries about worthy causes.
Meghan was also linked to a deal with exclusive fashion house Givenchy, although the company denied the report in The Times.
There is no love lost between Prince Harry and Prince Charles, 71, who has been growing in influence at Buckingham Palace as the Queen, 93, slows down.
Prince Charles was a key player in the decision to boot Prince Andrew, 59, from royal duties in November, and his say would have swayed the discussions on Harry.
Prince Harry and Meghan will no longer take public funds under the deal announced by the Queen at the weekend, which also prevents them from using their HRH titles.
Prince Charles, who pays Prince Harry and Meghan up to $4 million each year from his investment vehicle, The Duchy of Cornwall, will review the deal in 12 months as he is worried about the couple’s expensive lifestyle plans, the UK’s Telegraph reported.
A senior royal source told The Sun that Prince Harry and Prince William had sorted out their differences.
“It has been groundbreaking in terms of saving their bond as brothers and has been totally driven by them,” the source said.
“They decided to cut out all the toxic people stirring around them to deal with each other man-to-man as brothers.
“Given Harry is now permanently moving away, there was a realisation if they didn’t sort things out now, they never would.”
Prince Harry’s speech was delivered at The Ivy Chelsea Garden restaurant in London’s posh suburb of Chelsea.
“Once Meghan and I were married we were excited, we were hopeful and we were here to serve. For those reasons it brings me great sadness that it has come to this,” he said in a recording of the speech made at
“The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly, it was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges.
“And I know I always haven’t got it right but as far as this goes, there really was no other option.”
In his speech, which was posted to his @sussexroyal Instagram page, Prince Harry said he hoped people would listen to his side of the story.
HARRY: ‘I WANT YOU TO HEAR THE TRUTH’
“I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share, not as a prince, or a duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years,” he said.
“The UK is my home and a place that I love, that will never change.”
He gave a strong defence of Meghan, who has been, rightly or wrongly, blamed for the split from the royal family, with headlines around the world dubbing the breakaway Megxit.
“I also know that you have come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do … and she’s the same woman I fell in love with,” he said.
Prince Harry said in the couple’s engagement interview in 2017 that Meghan would be up to the job of being a full-time royal.
“The fact that she, I know that the fact that she’ll be really unbelievably good at the job part of it as well is almost is a huge relief to me because she’ll be able to deal with everything else that comes with it,” he said at the time.
“But, no, we’re a fantastic team. We know we are. And, we hope to over time try and have as much impact for all the things that we care about as much as possible.”
Prince Harry also pointed in the speech to his deeply held views about the death of his mother, and the media’s role in his life, which he claimed was intrusive.
“I was born into this life and it is a great honour to serve my country and the Queen,” he said.
“When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You looked out for me for so long but the media is a powerful force and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us.
“It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service, so in that respect nothing changes.”
And despite his disappointment at his part-time royal plans being rejected, he said of the Queen: “I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my commander in chief and I’m incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family for the support they have shown Meghan and I over the last few months.
“I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities and military communities that are so important to me.
“Together you have given me an education about living and this role has taught me more about what is right and just than I can ever have imagined. We are taking a leap of faith so thank you for giving us the courage to take this next step.”
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“I said before that I was sure that the royal family, it’s been around a very long time, will find a way forward, and I’m sure it will.”
Harry and Meghan wanted to be progressive new royals, but the Queen stamped out that dream.
The couple have been given 12 months to sort out their new life and business dealings, after which it will be reviewed.
The Queen has added the check to make sure the couple did not misuse the royal name, as they were fears they may be lured into corporate endorsements.
They are not the first royals to lose the HRH title, although Buckingham Palace has insisted they still have them, but they are just not going to use them.
However, the couple’s official Instagram page is still @sussexroyal.
Diana, Princess of Wales, was stripped of her title in 1996 after her bitter split from Prince Charles.
However, most people still regarded her as royalty and she was described as the People’s Princess following her tragic death.
Originally published as Meghan Markle shares previously unseen images to Instagram as father takes aim at royal couple in new documentary