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Meddling Markles manage to keep their cool on Meghan’s big day

MEGHAN Markle’s absent father has sent a word of warning to her controversial relatives as he reveals how he felt watching his daughter walk down the aisle on television.

Doria Ragland, with Prince Charles, was the only close family member at her daughter’s wedding.                         <a capiid="6141accf1ae193672a933ed130675d60" class="capi-video">Harry, Meghan depart Windsor Castle for evening reception</a>
Doria Ragland, with Prince Charles, was the only close family member at her daughter’s wedding. Harry, Meghan depart Windsor Castle for evening reception

MEGHAN Markle’s father sent his best wishes and declared he wished he could have attended his “beautiful” daughter’s wedding.

The former actress’s mother, Doria Ragland, was the only close family member at her wedding.

Her father Thomas Markle, whose on-again, off-again trip to Windsor for the royal wedding drew all the wrong headlines last week, “proudly” watched his daughter wed from an undisclosed location.

Meghan Markle was accompanied by her mother Doria Ragland to St George's Chapel. Picture: WPA
Meghan Markle was accompanied by her mother Doria Ragland to St George's Chapel. Picture: WPA

Mr Markle, 73, told gossip site TMZ he felt “joyful and emotional” while watching the royal wedding on television.

“My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy,” Mr Markle said.

“I wish I were there and I wish them all my love and all happiness.

“I pray that Harry and Meghan can go on a nice honeymoon and rest and relax, and all of my relatives will just shut up about everything.”

Mr Markle, a retired Hollywood lighting director, was stopped by doctors from attending the wedding after heart surgery last week.

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Thomas Markle: “I wish them all my love and all happiness”. Picture: MEGA
Thomas Markle: “I wish them all my love and all happiness”. Picture: MEGA

Before that he had said he wouldn’t turn up, out of shame for being caught staging photographs with a paparazzo near his Mexico home.

He also apologised for the behaviour of his son Thomas Jr and daughter Samantha, 53, who have been openly critical of their half-sister’s wedding plans.

The next day he changed his mind again, saying he might go, but was finally told by doctors the trip was not possible for health reasons.

A statement released by Kensington Palace from Meghan Markle last Thursday. Picture: AP
A statement released by Kensington Palace from Meghan Markle last Thursday. Picture: AP

Samantha Markle threw a party for friends in Florida, whom she requested wear formal attire.

She had been labelled a “vulture” for her continued attacks on her half sister after not receiving an invitation to the wedding. She also blamed the attention for her father’s heart condition and said Meghan was not supporting him enough financially.

“Meghan and I do not have a relationship now,” she admitted last week, while adding she is continuing with her plan to publish a book titled The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister.

Thomas Jr was in London but didn’t make the invitation list after a series of interviews in which he criticised Meghan, even penning a poisonous letter to Prince Harry labelling her a “jaded, shallow, conceited woman that will make a joke of you and the royal family heritage”.

Estranged sister Samantha Markle watched on from Florida. Picture: ITV
Estranged sister Samantha Markle watched on from Florida. Picture: ITV

He apologised for that last week, saying: “Things get done out of frustration and you look back and you know you made a mistake … But, my true feelings are that I couldn’t be happier for her.”

Even Thomas Jnr’s ex wife had been angling to get in on the action, with rumours Tracy Anne Dooley and sons Tyler and Thomas Dooley, were going to be “royal contributors” to a number of British programs.

Despite controversy leading up to the big day, the happy couple were all smiles. Picture: AFP
Despite controversy leading up to the big day, the happy couple were all smiles. Picture: AFP

Although Mrs Dooley admitted she had not spoken to Meghan Markle in more than two decades, she has commented on the wedding in the British press. After reports she and her sons had been contracted for breakfast television slots, both networks distanced themselves from her on Thursday.

Originally published as Meddling Markles manage to keep their cool on Meghan’s big day

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/meddling-markles-manage-to-keep-their-cool-on-meghans-big-day/news-story/4e83ee860e96aa37fb5378940c6dc990