Uninvited half-sister ‘hoping to see Meghan at wedding’
SHE has orchestrated a string of critical interviews, refused a plea from Kensington Palace for her discretion, and claimed responsibility for the photoshoot that brought the royal wedding into headlines for all the wrong reasons.
But Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister has not yet given up hope of seeing the bride in person for her wedding.
Samantha Grant, whose father is yet to confirm whether or not he will be attending Ms Markle’s wedding to Prince Harry, has said she would still like to give a “sentimental” wedding present to the couple in person, despite not being invited to Windsor Castle.
Thomas Markle, her father, is allegedly undergoing medical treatment for a heart condition which he has now reportedly said will leave him unable to travel to walk his daughter down the aisle.
Kensington Palace has not commented on the claims, with observers left mystified over this week’s rapidly developing events.
Yesterday, Doria Ragland, Ms Markle’s mother, flew into to London to be by her daughter’s side, in a planned trip that now takes on extra resonance.
Ms Ragland, who has spent time with the prince as his relationship with Ms Markle developed, will provide welcome support for the bride-to-be, whose paternal family have caused major disruption this week. She will meet the queen and the rest of the royal family ahead of the wedding, and is expected to go alone instead of with her ex-husband.
Ms Ragland, who is being looked after by staff at Kensington Palace, was met at the airport by Amy Pickerill, the prince’s assistant private secretary.
Ms Markle’s friends have also landed in England for what royal watchers will hope are trouble-free final preparations.
Ms Grant, meanwhile, undertook another round of media interviews, in which she appeared on Australian television and spoke directly to TMZ.
Asked whether Kensington Palace had requested her discretion during an appearance on ‘Sunrise’ television, Ms Grant disclosed: “Early in the year we were asked not to speak to the public, but I’m pretty adamant about it.”
Referring to Ms Markle, she told TMZ: “There’s something in this country called freedom of speech. She doesn’t have a copyright on
that and she’s not going to tell me that I can’t speak about my own life and my father’s when it’s a matter of public self-defence.
“This is not Great Britain and I am a United States citizen and she’s way out of her league by telling me I can’t speak.”
Ms Grant, along with her brother, Thomas Markle Jr, have not been invited to the wedding on Saturday and no longer have any relationship with Ms Markle.
TMZ reported that Ms Markle’s father (73), a retired Hollywood lighting director who lives in Mexico, was to undergo a stent procedure for blocked coronary arteries yesterday and would not be well enough to fly to England by the weekend.
Meanwhile, royal fans have started arriving in Windsor, with some sleeping out to claim the best viewing spots ahead of the wedding. “It must be heartbreaking for them, because her father can’t come because he is in poor health,” said Maria Scott (46), who had travelled from Newcastle to camp out.
Donna Werner (66), who flew 4,800km from New Fairfield, Connecticut, to be in Windsor, said: “I want them to come through those gates. I want them to look at me, wave and smile.
“That will make it all worthwhile. It really will.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)