Meghan Markle begged dad to stop victimising her, but he did the opposite

Before her wedding in May last year, Meghan Markle wrote to her estranged father begging him to stop ‘victimising’ her in public.

His response? To ask for a staged photo shoot – that’s what five ‘close friends’ of the Duchess of Sussex have claimed in a series of interviews with PEOPLE magazine.

The friends, who are believed to be from the former actress’ innermost circle, said Meghan reached out at a time when the negative publicity from her estranged family was casting a dark shadow over her wedding.

“Dad, I’m so heartbroken. I love you. I have one father,” she reportedly wrote. “Please stop victimising me through the media so we can repair our relationship.”

Thomas Markle has pulled out of the royal wedding in the wake of the fake paparazzi photos. Photo: Sunrise
Thomas Markle has pulled out of the royal wedding in the wake of the fake paparazzi photos. Photo: Sunrise

Since receiving his lengthy response suggesting the exact opposite of what she had requested, Meghan has been left ‘genuinely devastated’.

The astonishing revelations come amid reports that, far from trying to heal the wounds with his daughter, Thomas Markle Sr. has made no effort to contact Meghan to try and heal their rift.

The 74-year-old has claimed in numerous interviews that he has tried to contact the Duchess of Sussex via texts and letters, but has received no response in return.

However, Meghan’s close friends have claimed that simply isn’t true.

“He knows how to get in touch with her,” one of the friends told PEOPLE. “He’s never called; he’s never texted. It’s super-painful.”

Meghan and Harry, pictured in Bristol last week, are expecting their first child this spring [Photo: Getty]
Meghan and Harry, pictured in Bristol last week, are expecting their first child this spring [Photo: Getty]

It’s also claimed that before Meghan and Harry’s wedding, Thomas wouldn’t take her calls.

A friend also disputed common perceptions about Meghan’s relationship with her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., and half-sister, Samantha Markle, saying: They have been made to appear as siblings who had this falling out, and that’s not the truth at all.”

“They were not a part of her life.”

It’s believed that Meghan hasn’t spoken to her father since her wedding last May.

Meghan’s father Thomas Markle speaking on Good Morning Britain [Photo: ITV]
Meghan’s father Thomas Markle speaking on Good Morning Britain [Photo: ITV]

He was caught staging paparazzi photos for money and subsequently pulled out of walking his daughter down the aisle, reportedly due to health problems.

During his last TV interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain in December, Thomas Sr. said he hoped the Queen will step in to help mend the rift between him and his estranged daughter.

In past interviews, he revealed personal details about his relationship with Meghan and conversations he’s had with Prince Harry.

Half-siblings Samantha Markle and Thomas Jr. have also repeatedly criticised Meghan on social media and during press interviews.

Samantha recently announced on Twitter that she’s writing a second edition of her book In the Shadows of The Duchess, about Meghan.

Thomas Markle
Meghan Markle photographed with her father, Thomas Markle Sr. Photo: Meghan Markle’s now-deleted Instagram account

The first part is set to coincide with the arrival of Meghan and Harry’s first child, due in April, while the second book will reportedly be released in June.

Biographer Duncan Larcome recently told Yahoo UK‘s The Royal Box that Meghan’s father and half siblings have “reduced the commentary of the Royal Family to something from the Jerry Springer show.”

With reporting by Danielle Stacey


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