Markle’s father compares UK royals to secret cult
Royals are cult- like who may even have secret handshakes: Thomas Markle
London, Aug. 19: In his latest media outburst, Meghan Markle's father has attacked the British royal family for their secrecy and likened them to secret cults like Scientology.
Thomas Markle, who has previously criticised the royals for cutting him out of his daughter's life since her marriage to Prince Harry earlier this year, said the royals are "cult- like" who may even have secret handshakes.
Speaking to the Sun newspaper from his home in Mexican town Rosarito, the 74- year- old former Hollywood lighting director said:" They ( the UK royal family) are either like Scientologists or the Stepford family. If they hear anybody say anything they just lock the doors. They need to speak up! They are cult- like — like Scientology — because they are secretive."
"They close the door, pull the shades down and put their fingers in their ears so they don't have to hear. Maybe they have a secret handshake too! You cannot ask a question of them - as they won't answer," he added.
The Church of Scientology is controversial for its secretive practices and claims of brainwashing its members, which the church denies. Its famous celebrity followers include Tom Cruise, who has donated heavily to the Church set up by American author Ron Hubbard in 1952.
The Stepford Wives is a 1970s thriller novel by Ira Levin where men in American suburbia turn their spouses into brainwashed submissive robots.
Ms Markle, an Emmy Award winning lighting director, has been trying to persuade Meghan, 37, and her husband Prince Harry, 33, to contact him - after three months of silence.
They have not spoken since the day of the couple's wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19. Markle did not attend the wedding due to bad health and amid controversy over his media interactions.
He dismissed some recent reports implying that he was after a payback.
Markle said: "I worked hard to provide for my children. I am their father, I don't expect them to pay me back."