LET ME BE, DAD5

Meghan writes to estranged father with plea to stop his media slating

MEGHAN Markle has written to her estranged dad begging him to stop “victimising her” in interviews, friends say. They rubbished Thomas Markle’s claims not to have heard from his daughter since she married Prince Harry in May. And they said he replied to her plea with a letter of his own, asking for a photo opportunity. The former Hollywood lighting director, 74, has made several public pleas for Meghan to end their rift since he was exposed for colluding with paparazzi for money before the wedding. But friends say Meghan, 37 – expecting a baby in spring – has sent a letter telling him: “Dad, I’m so heartbroken. I love you. I have one father. Please stop victimising me through the media so we can repair our friendship.” One long-time pal of the Duchess of Sussex said: “Every time her team has to come to her and factcheck something [he has said], it’s an arrow to the heart. He writes her a really long letter in return, and closes it by requesting a photo op with her.

“And she feels like, ‘That’s the opposite of what I’m saying. I’m telling you I don’t want to communicate through the media, and you’re asking me to communicate through the media. Did you hear anything I said?’.”

Another pal said: “He knows how to get in touch with her. Her telephone number hasn’t changed.

“He’s never called; he’s never texted. It’s super painful, because Meg was always so dutiful.

“I think she will always feel genuinely devastated by what he’s done. And at the same time, because she’s a daughter, she has a lot of sympathy for him.”

A former co-star also refuted claims about Meghan being branded “Duchess Difficult” by royal staff. The friend insisted the ex-suits actress was “a leader of group morale” and was always a “spirit booster for the crew on set”.

The pal said Meghan “ordered an incredible ice cream sorbet stand for the office” at Kensington Palace who remarked how it was “the best day of work ever”.

Five of Meghan’s female inner circle spoke anonymously to US magazine People, saying: “Meg has silently sat back and endured the lies and untruths.”

People editor Erin Hill said: “They are worried about her, and they’re worried about the baby.”

Kensington Palace would not comment on any of the claims.

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