Whatever their faults, families help to shape and ground us

ALISON PHILLIPS

I’VE seen episodes of Jeremy Kyle where families are more united than the Markles.

The outpouring of loss today from Meghan’s brother veers between bewilderment and fury.

Of course, all families are prone to fall-outs – particularly at moments of high stress and higher emotions like weddings, funerals and sickness.

And, despite what the TV ads suggest, there is no such thing as the perfect family. They come, like humans themselves, full of vulnerabilities, irritations and