Meghan Markle’s father Thomas busted co-operating with paparazzi

KENSINGTON Palace pleaded with media to leave Meghan Markle’s father Thomas alone after a series of photos of him emerged, but it turns out he may have orchestrated them himself.

MEGHAN Markle’s father Thomas has been caught co-operating with a paparazzi photographer who captured valuable photographs of him preparing for his daughter’s wedding this Saturday to Prince Harry.

Kensington Palace had been pleading with the world’s media to leave the reclusive Mr Markle alone, after the 73-year-old was photographed, seemingly unawares, as he read a book about the UK, got measured for a suit, and visited an internet café to read up on stories about his daughter and Prince Harry.

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Meghan Markle's father Thomas Marklehas been caught co-operating with a paparazzi photographer ahead of the royal wedding. Picture: Rachpoot/MEGA

But the British press have uncovered CCTV showing Mr Markle, who will walk his daughter down the aisle at St George’s Chapel, arriving at the internet café accompanied by the photographer, LA-based paparazzo Jeff Rayner.

Witnesses have also told how the photos of him being measured for a suit were stage-managed with the help of the photographer, and Mr Markle had brought along his own props, including a tape-measure.

Meghan Markle's father Thomas Markle is photographed dropping off flowers for Meghan's mother days before the wedding. Picture: Rachpoot/MEGA

With the wedding between 36-year-old American actor Ms Markle and 33-year-old Prince Harry rapidly approaching, there had been growing suspicions in the British press that Mr Markle, who has been declared bankrupt, might be co-operating with the paparazzi, despite the pleas by Kensington Palace for him to be left alone.

Prince Harry had also issued a rare public plea back in late 2016 for the media to give Ms Markle, the glamorous TV actor, some privacy.

But the Mail on Sunday revealed CCTV which showed Mr Markle and Mr Rayner arriving at the café together in Mr Markle’s home town of Rosarita in Mexico, where he posed for the pictures.

The paper also found several witnesses who revealed Mr Markle and the photographer had arrived together at the various photo-shoots. According to the paper, the photos were sold for up to $200,000.

Meghan Markle is set to marry Harry next weekend. Picture: AFP/Ben Birchall

The revelations will be a major embarrassment for Ms Markle, who has been dealing with difficult dynamics in her dysfunctional family.

Her mother Doria Ragland, 61, who divorced Mr Markle when Meghan was six years old, has maintained a dignified silence.

She is due in the UK any day and will arrive at the church with her daughter, with whom she is extremely close.

Meghan’s half-brother and half-sister from Mr Markle’s first marriage, Thomas Markle Junior and Samantha Grant, have alternated between abusing her in the press, and begging for a wedding invitation. Neither received one.

Originally published as Meghan Markle’s father Thomas busted co-operating with paparazzi