Inside story of the Markle debacle
TMZ, paparazzi and a tell-all diary – plus a three-wheeled bandwagon of extended family rolls into town
When news of Meghan Markle’s engagement to Prince Harry was shared with the world, her father proclaimed himself “incredibly happy” in a simple, heartfelt expression of parental love. By the eve of his daughter’s wedding, Thomas Markle cuts a rather more complicated figure, embroiled in a distressing and very public discussion over whether he will even attend.
Using as a mouthpiece a celebrity gossip website, Mr Markle has left plans for the Royal wedding in disarray, torn between the advice of Prince Harry’s experienced staff and his volatile older children. The circumstances of his pronouncements, first that he was pulling out of the wedding for fear of embarrassing his daughter after it emerged he had colluded with the paparazzi, then saying he hoped to attend after all, only to then change his plans due to heart surgery, are believed to have left Ms Markle understandably distressed.
Most painful of all, it is the unhappy conclusion to a situation Prince Harry has been dreading. For the Prince, mindful of his own family history, has worked tirelessly to protect his fiancée from the pressures of the public eye, and is now known to have extended the same efforts to his future in-laws.
It can now be disclosed that in personal conversations and with offers of professional help, the Prince hoped to shelter both Mr Markle and Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother, from what he has called a “wave of abuse and harassment” from the paparazzi.
Even as his aides tried to support Mr Markle, the proud father is believed to have been unwilling to rely too heavily on Ms Markle as she prepared to enter the Royal Family.
Instead, he has been listening to the advice of Ms Markle’s half siblings, Samantha and Thomas Jr. The result is a series of embarrassing revelations, centring on Mr Markle’s collusion over “staged” photographs in Mexico.
Hoping to regain control of his public image, he posed for what he intended to be flattering photographs to boost public opinion of his side of the family. He says he was not motivated by money.
Samantha Grant, his daughter, has claimed responsibility for convincing him to take part, saying she wishes he had also given press interviews to tell the full side of his story.
Ms Grant, who has been promoting a tell-all book, The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister, has not seen Ms Markle for a decade. Nevertheless she has made a string of public appearances to provide a running commentary on family strife. Thomas Markle Jr has also volunteered his services to the tabloids, one day expressing sadness that he had not been invited to the wedding, and on another imploring Prince Harry to call the whole thing off.
Members of the extended family, including Mr Markle Jr’s ex-wife Tracy and her children, have descended on London to capitalise on their profile in the week of the Royal wedding, despite not being invited. None has any meaningful relationship with the bride.
On the other side, Prince Harry’s Kensington Palace team has remained resolutely tight-lipped, asking only for understanding and respect to be shown to Mr Markle. Behind the scenes, in the midst of last-minute preparations, are a prince and his bride-to-be deeply concerned about Thomas’s health, safety and well-being.
Prince Harry, who has not yet met Mr Markle, is known to have been in regular contact with him by telephone, while Ms Markle has sent messages reassuring him of her love.
Both hoped to have him there and neither, it is understood, blame him for decisions they consider the result of the pressure he has been put under. That responsibility, they believe, lies with an international media which has bombarded him with paparazzi and press moving in next door and car chases that have left him frightened.
Ms Markle always wanted her father to walk her down the aisle, but sources say that she is focused now only upon his health and happiness. It remains to be seen whether he will attend.
“I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle,” he said yesterday, through TMZ.
For those close to Prince Harry, Mr Markle’s story appears to vindicate of his long-term fears, spelt out in his first public acknowledgement of his relationship with Ms Markle.
Armed with the knowledge of his mother’s experiences, he issued a strongly-worded statement, warning that intrusion into their privacy was “not a game” but “her life and his”.
Even then, it can be disclosed, the Prince and his staff were working to support Ms Markle’s parents.
With three days to go, and orders of service already prepared, Ms Markle is no doubt considering contingency plans, following the twists and turns of the past 48 hours.
‘I hate the idea of missing a moment in history, walking my daughter down the aisle, he said, through TMZ’