Meghan Markle's Dad Responds To Her Leaving The Royal Family
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's decision to step back as senior royals and lead a more independent life with their son, Archie, was an unprecedented move that took many by surprise — and that apparently includes Buckingham Palace, who released its own statement calling the situation "complicated." It seems everyone has something to say about this piping hot tea, including Meghan's estranged father, Thomas Markle.
Just hours after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their big announcement, Thomas told Us Weekly: "I'll just simply say I'm disappointed." Disappointed about what? Disappointed in Meghan and Harry's decision to leave their royal positions (and money) behind? Disappointed because it's widely believed that the British tabloids' harsh treatment of Meghan drove her away? Perhaps he's just disappointed that he didn't nab an invitation to the palace before all this went down?
We may never know what's bothering Thomas unless he decides to elaborate, but considering the public's reaction to his short statement, maybe he'd be better off saying nothing at all.
The public isn't here for Thomas Markle's reaction
Thomas Markle may be "disappointed" by the fact that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have decided to step back as senior royals, but it turns out that the public is pretty disappointed that Thomas decided to speak out at all.
As one critic tweeted: "[Thomas] Markle can always be relied on to criticise Meghan — in whom he had zero interest until she was marrying a Prince. Then he started his media betrayal of them both — while being photographed daily." Another hater wrote: "This man should just bow out and keep his comments to himself, cause thats all its about is HIM." In fact, Markle's mouth may be his biggest enemy. "Thomas Markle just can't keep his mouth shut," tweeted yet another critic. "That's why he's never met [Meghan and Harry's son] Archie but he just keeps talking to the press."
Even Perez Hilton commented on the situation, writing: "Blegh... Thomas Markle and his audacity know no bounds." Perez has a point. Meghan's dad has been a source of controversy ever since his daughter became involved with the royal family.
Meghan Markle and her dad have struggled mightily
This isn't the first time that Thomas Markle has shared his opinion about Meghan Markle in a very public way. The Duchess of Sussex and her father have struggled with their relationship for a while now, and due to some questionable but intentional choices on his part, their issues have played out in the press.
Communication seemed to break down between the pair even before the royal wedding. According to Good Housekeeping, Thomas "admitt[ed] to staging paparazzi shots ahead of his daughter's big day." His decision to court the press, coupled with his reported health problems, may explain why Prince Charles walked Meghan down the aisle on her wedding day in May 2018. Thomas was not in attendance.
This father-daughter situation didn't improve when Thomas then publicly shared a private letter Meghan had sent to him. The note was apparently an attempt to repair their relationship. According to Good Housekeeping, Meghan "begged her dad to stop their public feud and called him out for his inappropriate behavior. She said he never reached out after the wedding and called his 'attacks' on Prince Harry 'perhaps the most painful of all.'"
Even though the duke and duchess reportedly plan to live in North America, it doesn't sound like Thomas Markle will be any closer to spending time with his daughter and grandson.
Meghan Markle will likely keep her distance from her dad
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made headlines when they decided not to spend Christmas with the royal family in 2019 and instead spend the holidays in Canada. Now it looks like the couple intends to spend even more time outside of the U.K. When Meghan and Harry announced that they intend to step back from their senior royal positions, they also revealed plans to move.
"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America," they wrote on Instagram. "This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter."
While Meghan and Harry have plenty of options when it comes to where they could set up a new home — She lived in Toronto for years while filming Suits, and that's where the pair spent time while dating — it's believed that they'll put down roots on the West coast in order to be closer to Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, who lives in California.
That would still put some sizable space between Meghan and her dad, who reportedly retired in Mexico. Considering the way things are going between Meghan and her dad and between Prince Harry and his brother, don't expect a great big family reunion anytime soon.