Just when you think that the Markle family can’t get any more dramatic, another unruly relative crawls out of the woodwork to shake things up. Last week, Thomas Markle Jr – half-brother to the Duchess of Sussex – entered Celebrity Big Brother in Australia, and had a few choice comments to make. “I told Prince Harry, ‘I think she’s going to ruin your life’,” the 54 year old said, adding, “She’s very shallow.”
Now, an insider close to Meghan Markle tells heat she’s understandably devastated at this latest attack from her father’s side of the family.
“Meghan is furious that yet another family member is trying to cash in on her and make up lies to try and become famous,” our source explains. “Nothing surprises her when it comes to her dad’s side of the family, but that doesn’t mean she’s not upset and hurt by it. She often wonders how much more she can take from them and feels constantly betrayed.”
Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle Sr, also spoke out last week, accusing his daughter of “lying for years”, and claiming that Harry has “changed her”. In the TV interview, he condemned the couple, saying, “[They] are attacking the world. Attacking his 95-year-old grandmother is unforgivable. It’s embarrassing they are doing this. It’s embarrassing for them to be telling me a few years ago to ‘never talk to the press’, but then they spend hours on a show with Oprah.”
CHECK OUT Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's love story from the start
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relationship (slider)
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
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They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
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In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
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On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
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In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
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'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
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The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
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Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
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In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
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In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
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It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
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The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
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Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
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Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
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The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
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The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
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In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
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In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
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Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
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Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
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The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
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In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
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On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
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The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
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The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
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When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
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The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
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Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
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She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
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Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
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Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
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In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
But our insider tells us that Harry, 36, has been a real support to his wife after this fresh bout of embarrassment, and has reassured her that it’s her dad, sister and brother who have been exposed as the liars. Earlier this year, Meghan’s half-sister Samantha Markle wrote a memoir titled The Diary Of Princess Pushy’s Sister Part 1. “Harry tries to calm her down and says that he, their children and her mum are all the family she needs. But she’s gearing herself up for what her brother or one of the others will say next.”
And if dealing with her family wasn’t enough of a stress, we’re told the 40-year-old Duchess is also feeling snubbed by her Hollywood friends. It was reported last week that Meghan and Harry were disappointed not to be invited to Barack Obama’s 60th birthday, amid speculation he and wife Michelle weren’t impressed at their recent criticism of the royal family.
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This is the text Meghan Markle sent to a friend after meeting Prince Harry
The guest list for the lavish affair, held at their mansion on Martha’s Vineyard, had to be reduced from 475 to 300 due to Covid. But it seems the ex-royals weren’t even on the original list, which included some of their A-list pals, such as Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King and the Clooneys.
“There have been a few high-powered dinners and gatherings where Meghan and Harry have been left off the list,” our source reveals. “That might be surprising for them, but there’s always been an unspoken rule that you can’t just waltz into Tinseltown and throw your weight around. The vibe is that they’ve gotten way ahead of themselves, and the drama that follows them wherever they go is another turn-off for some of the elites.”
However, this won’t stop Harry and Meghan from continuing to network. Our source says, “It’s very clear that the Sussexes still have much higher ambitions. The word is that they’re anxious to expand their circle with some bigger hitters who can raise their profile on a social level.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.