While the Duchess of Sussex’s father, Thomas Markle Snr, has kept a relatively low profile since Archie’s birth in May – as opposed to the months of attacks he blasted Meghan and Prince Harry with through the media in 2018 and earlier this year – it seems Thomas Markle is done, after just four months, with keeping silent.
Speaking to the Daily Mail from his home in Rosarito, Mexico, Thomas Markle says he is speaking out for the first time since Archie’s birth because he again feels he is being unfairly vilified and cut out of his grandson’s life.
“I would like them to send me a picture of Archie so I can frame it and put it on my wall beside the one of Meghan,” Markle tells the publication.
“Isn’t that what any grandfather would want? I’d love to know if he’s got the famous Markle nose.”
Duchess Meghan’s father Thomas Markle is once again speaking out, after he says he feels he’s been unfairly vilified and cut out of his grandson Archie’s life.
Following Archie Harrison’s christening on July 6th, Markle told the Mail on Sunday that he would’ve enjoyed being in attendance.
“I have been asked if I would have liked to have gone to Britain to see my grandson being christened,” the 75-year-old said.
“I was an altar boy at age 12, a confirmed member of the Queen’s church at age 14, and Archie is my new grandson, so of course I would have enjoyed being there for the blessing, wishing Archie and his parents health and happiness.”
Markle, who was set to walk his daughter down the aisle last year but was forced to cancel following suffering two heart attacks, says he’s incredibly saddened that he’s only ever seen pictures of his grandson on the Internet.
“There was never any problem between Meghan and me until recently. I’ve stayed quiet because Meghan was pregnant with Archie but I’m speaking out now because they and their PR people are continuing to ghost me out of her life,” he claims to The Daily Mail.
“Of course I’m disappointed not to see Archie. I had hoped becoming a mother would mellow Meghan and she would reach out.”
Mr Markle says despite being Archie’s grandson, he’s only seen images of him on the Internet, just like everyone else. (Image: Chris Allerton/@sussexroyal)
But it seems Meghan doesn’t have any plans to reach out to her father any time soon, and after this latest bombshell interview from her father – where he also weighed in on the private jet controversy – it’s not surprising.
Speaking to a close source, Dan Wootton for The Sun, reveals that Meghan is making the “heartbreaking” decision not to reach out to her father to protect Harry and Archie.
“It’s a terribly sad situation but Meghan has made the very difficult decision that she doesn’t have an active relationship with her father anymore,” the source reveals to The Sun.
“This was actually a decision she made some time ago and it is something she’s now coming to terms with.
“It’s obviously heartbreaking for her but she has to protect herself, her husband and son.”
The family tensions between Meghan and her father’s side the family reached boiling point just before her wedding to Prince Harry in May last year, when Thomas Markle was exposed for staging paparazzi shots of himself, with the help of Meghan’s half-sister Samantha Markle.
Following the wedding, both Meghan’s father and her sister undertook multiple media interviews which ranged from full-blown attacks to back-peddling and pleading from Thomas through the media for his youngest child to take his calls.
Throughout it all Meghan has kept a dignified silence. However, earlier this year five close friends strongly refuted Thomas Markle’s claims that Meghan had ‘ghosted’ him, revealing to People that Meghan wrote her father an emotional letter following the wedding, telling him she loved him and begging him to stop talking to the media so they can try and repair their relationship.
Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland split from Thomas Markle when Meghan was two-year-old. Meghan also has two older half-siblings, Samantha and Thomas Jr.
Despite tense relations with her father’s side of the family, Meghan has been leaned on her mother for support during her pregnancy and following Archie’s birth. (Image: Getty)
Throughout the family drama with her father’s side of the family, Meghan has had unwavering support from her mother, Doria Ragland, who travelled from her home in Los Angeles to the UK to be present for the birth of her first grandchild and support Meghan and Harry during their first few weeks as new parents.
She then returned two months later to attend Archie’s private christening at Windsor Castle.
Meghan is currently gearing up to return to her royal duties after going on maternity leave in March.
She, Harry and four-month-old Archie will be heading to South Africa (with Harry making quick visits to neighbouring countries) on September 23rd, with Prince Harry sharing his excitement on Instagram.
“In just a few weeks our family will be taking its first official tour to Africa, a region of the world that over the past two decades has been a second home to me,” Harry wrote on Instagram.
“Our team has helped create a meaningful programme that we’re so excited to share with you.
“On a personal note, I can’t wait to introduce my wife and son to South Africa! We’ll see all of you very soon.”
