Prince Harry & Meghan are really broken up about her dad’s PR shambles

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nottingham Academy

I truly hope that Meghan Markle is sitting in a spa right now and relaxing. I hope that by the age of 36, she knows that her dodgy, dumb and douchebag relatives are not her problem, really. She can’t control them. She can only let go and take care of herself. I’ve said before that I can’t even imagine having so many family members be so eager to sell me out, but I think Meghan is used to it – she’s used to that side of her family being absolute trash. There’s a reason why Meghan was on-and-off estranged from her father. There’s a reason why she has barely spoken to her half-siblings in a decade. Before Thomas Markle canceled his plans to travel to the UK and walk his daughter down the aisle, sources told Us Weekly that Meghan has long had issues with her dad because of his inability to take responsibility.

On her dad staging the pap photos: “Meghan is upset and disturbed by the entire ordeal and just wants to move past it,” the source tells Us. “She doesn’t want to let anything ruin her day and is trying to keep focus on the weekend.” The insider adds that Meghan’s relationship with her father “has always been strained” because of “his ill thought-out decisions and his lack of responsibility.”

On how Samantha Markle-Grant said the staged photos were her idea: The source tells Us that Samantha “playing a role” in the photo scandal “wasn’t a surprise to Meghan at all…Meghan is disappointed that her father hasn’t spoken up and stopped his children from trashing her in the press. Instead, she sees his collaboration with Samantha, who Meghan feels he is much closer to, and it hurts her.”

[From Us Weekly]

Yes, at the end of the day, even if Meghan was “shocked” by her dad’s betrayal, I bet she ultimately found it unsurprising. He’s likely been like this the whole time. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail had an exclusive about what’s going on with Meghan and Harry’s states of mind now that Thomas has pulled out:

Meghan Markle pleaded with her father to walk her down the aisle after he apparently pulled out of Saturday’s wedding because of the faked photographs row. Friends said the bride-to-be was distraught after troubled Thomas Markle, 73, said he wanted to save her further embarrassment. A friend of Miss Markle, 36, and her fiancé, Prince Harry, told the Mail that she was standing by her father and pleaded for understanding, saying he was ‘not in a good place’.

The friend said: ‘This is not what she wants. She obviously wants her dad there. And the idea of contemplating him not being there now is not something that she wants to have to do. She and Prince Harry are begging for people to give him some space. They have been saying this for weeks, while trying to offer him support and help. He is clearly feeling under immense pressure. The concern for him is real and genuine. He is a proud man who wants to be a father and not be taken care of, but it’s quite difficult. Everyone needs to pause and think what this is doing to them and, more importantly, to him. It is a really worrying, scary situation. The couple have been doing everything they can to help him.’

Harry, 33, is said to be distraught and could try to get Thomas to change his mind. The friend said: ‘Harry feels guilty that this has happened to someone he loves because they are in a relationship with him. He is devastated. He feels like this is another thing in the wake of him… the problems he causes. He feels that anyone who gets associated with his life – this is the price they have to pay. He wants to protect her and this is really difficult for him to swallow.’

[From The Daily Mail]

Damn, Harry is torn up about this too? My advice to Meg and Harry: let go and let God. I mean that. They can’t control this, and they never could. Thomas Markle and Meg’s half-siblings were always going to be garbage dumps of humanity. They were always going to show their asses. They were always going to do the most to embarrass Meghan. So just let go, make your peace with all of that and move on and enjoy your wedding.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the Nottingham Academy school in Nottingham, England

Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid and Pacific Coast News.

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216 Responses to “Prince Harry & Meghan are really broken up about her dad’s PR shambles”

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  1. Runcmc says:

    Omg I had a minor heart attack when I read “broken up” in the headline!!! Ahhh!!!

    I feel so bad for Meghan though. Also this really deeply makes me appreciate my dad so I’m giving him a huge hug and a thank you when I see him later.

    • Aud says:

      Me too! Poor choice of words. We’re all fragile right now, just a few days before the wedding! lol

    • SNAP says:

      LOL…i had to read the title a second time, too…phew! Hey, Megan showed that she was able to extend an “olive branch” to her father out of love and respect for him, despite their past family issues. That reflects very good on her and tells me she saw an opportunity to make his father feel special and involved in her life. Maybe even a chance to patch up their relationship. Now that the father is pulling away and his side of the family is showing beyond doubt how shady they are, i guess Megan can relax knowing she did what she believed was right by her and her dad but this would permanently put a nail in the coffin of their estranged relationship and nobody can blame her for shutting them out. Also her halfsies can’t claim anymore she is a calculating witch bcs she reached out and invited her father in good faith. They have shown time and time again how fibble and disloyal they are. This mess is on them not on Meg. Alth it must hurt like a mofo to see how things turned out. My own dad misused letters i sent to him (as a way to give him a chance to see if he had changed his crappy ways and to let him know he was a grandpa) against my mom to try to win custody over my then little brother. When i found out he used my letters in court against my mom i was livid and i knew he had not changed. Needless to say he’s been dead to me since. He had a chance to reconnect and to be part of my family, he threw it away. He made his choice. End of story. It’s gonna be ok Meg. You still have your mom.

    • Larsen says:

      The U.K. Media finally got the scandal they were hoping for to hang their headlines on before the royal wedding. They’ve been going for greedy Markle offspring for months and finally got the bonanza with her dad. I feel horrible for Meghan. IMO The Daily Mail most of all the UK media has been on a agenda to bring some sort of destruction from the beginning ,since the Straight outta Compton headline,

      If the hypocritical UK media were bothered by Royal adjacent family members trading on access they should have called out the Middletons long ago.

      This Twitter comment said it all IMO about hypocrisy of press suddenly now being concerned about staging photos or press access:

      Twitter Royalwhisper @.matilda matilda_soo_blu
      ” Kate got Audi cars based on Royal connection while dating Pr.William and freebie clothes, etc for years. Middleton’s leaked, news of vacations, business ventures, home purchase, even called photogs on holiday, but that was just fine with some of the media.
      May 15, 2018

      I feel horrible for Meghan but for the UK press to suddenly act as if they haven’t been given access to royal adjacent family members through quid pro quo is total hypocrisy.
      P.S. And I will always believe Pippa’s honeymoon Austrailia photos was all prearranged, set up, with tabloid photogs.

      • perplexed says:

        “If the hypocritical UK media were bothered by Royal adjacent family members trading on access they should have called out the Middletons long ago.”

        Have the Middletons ever been dumb enough to get caught on tape though?

        I think all of them trade access to some degree (even the royal family give “sources” to authorized biographers) — you’re just not supposed to get caught on tape like Sarah Ferguson did some years back. It’s the tape as proof that seems to be the problem here (well that and the fact that the father has pulled out of the wedding. We might have forgotten all about this in a few days if the dad had agreed to show. His not showing up has thrown a humongous spotlight on a situation that might have gone away in a few days). The fact that he’s not showing up is the bigger and growing story than the staging of the paparazzi shots.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Do we count Uncle Gary getting caught on tape in a drugs-and-prostitution sting operation? Buried because W&K immediately *just so happened* to get papped by Tanna with their very first public kiss the day the scandal broke. That was the night video captured William stumbling drunk to the car, kissing Kate, and him getting behind the wheel.

      • Larsen says:

        They are more conniving ,true, but (except for Uncle Gary’s messes) the Media also doesn’t play it up or expose it when the Middletons do #quid pro quo. I think the Middletons are and we’re always protected under the umbrella of being connected to the golden heir.William.
        Even when they have secretly given or still give access , it’s not in the UK presses benefit to out them.

        But…also some things were pretty much in the open such as Kate getting Audi cars based on Royal connection and holiday rentals going to Middletons based on Royal connection and yes holiday photos called in were outed by the photog…but the UK Media always looks the other way when it comes to the Middletons quid pro quo, or access.

    • lautie says:

      +10000
      i had to re-read the heading………hahaha, nice one Kaiser!!!!

    • Sensible says:

      Kesington Palace is bitchy! Why would you not send out an advisor to Mexico to help TM navigate this situation? Or better yet, invite him to the UK a moth ago and put him up in an apartment with tv and junkfood until the big day? Because MM is all about MM. I honestly think she forgot about him. I predict a marriage of 3-5 years, will never last no matter how much Americans want to hear their own accent amongst british royal family.

  2. Nev says:

    Geez. All this family stress before a wedding days away. I can’t with people.

    • LadyMTL says:

      Unfortunately I think weddings tend to bring out the worst in some people, so I can’t imagine how bad it must be for a one of this stature. I feel bad for Meghan but like Kaiser said, at this point I think it’d be best if she just took a deep breath and powered through these last few days. Her family will never change, sadly.

      At the end of it all, what matters is marrying the person you love. The rest is just secondary (says the woman who’s never been hitched, hahaha).

      • Nev says:

        Word.

      • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

        I have to agree with you. It brought out issues with my mother that 23 years later, still cause me a degree of disbelief.

        Though I am not a religious person (I’d say spiritual, yes; religious, no), I do agree with the let it go/ let it be sentiment towards Merry’s nuptial strife. There really is no other way to frame it, now or in the future.

      • Tia Maria says:

        Yeh absolutely, I’m planning my wedding right now and it sure does bring out the worst in people. Times that by 1 million in this scenrario!

      • Christin says:

        Weddings and funerals shine a spotlight on your relatives. Shows who they really are.

        Seems as if her father is selfishly making this about himself. If he cared about his daughter, he’d shut up about his alleged “heart attacks” (likely an exaggeration for sympathy) and show up.

      • Anon says:

        Yes ITA. The agreement with the paps was silly and naive, but a lot of people are naive about engaging with the media even if with retrospect they should have known better, so I don’t blame him unduly for that. In terms of him having a hissy fit and saying he is not coming to the wedding, I see somebody behaving badly in a totally typical “pre-wedding” way. If I had a pound for every time my MIL or certain annoying guests tried to make my wedding all about them, it wouldn’t have cost nearly so much!

  3. Clare says:

    Cut.them.off.

    Including the father.

    If he is stupid and or greedy enough to be in cahoots with Samantha, he has no business being in Megans life. This feel sorry for the father spin is ridiculous. He is a grown ass man who not only sold his kid out, but appears to have TMZ on speed dial.

    But also – I hope she realizes she is going from one dysfunctional family to another, and has a thick skin about this whole thing. Will and Kate have thrown Harry under the bus time and again to distract from their own shit – it won’t be long until the same is done to Megan to protect the heir and his family in the media.

    Sadly part of Megan’s role moving forward will be to take some of the hits, just as Harry has done for years (although he of course had done his share of, frankly, unforgivable shit). I hope they can both can make peace with that, ignore the tabloids, and make things work between themselves.

    • Cerys says:

      I agree with you. I feel sorry for Meghan over all this but living with the royals is not going to be much better.

    • EM says:

      While I agree with you, it’s so hard to do. Unfortunately for her if he does walk her down the aisle he will be selling the post story within hours. For their sake, I hope they confiscate his phone and check him for listening devices – not kidding. He’s got issues but it sounds like it’s mostly irresponsibility, lack of ethics and greed. Hope she can stay sane until Saturday.

    • Alissa says:

      I’m surprised she was having him let her walk down the aisle in the first place, so I’m not surprised at all that this is what happened, unfortunately. I can’t imagine how stressed she must be feeling, I feel so bad for her and Harry.

      • Cherrypie32 says:

        She relented to having him walk her down the isle I think because of the pressure form the negative press of not having her father do that. I really feel for her having to deal with all of this negativity from the press and her family right off the bat when news of their romance first broke…….I feel awful for even having these thoughts but I feel as if Harry and Meg’s future children will undergo the same hate, because that is what it is at this point….sheer hate perpetuated by the British tabloids 🙁

      • Bridget says:

        I agree on this one.

      • Where'sMyTiara says:

        What I hope happens: that Prince Phillip offers to walk her down the aisle. It would be a lovely gesture of support, and particularly poignant as he was once himself reviled as a “foreigner and outsider not good enough for the British Royal Family”.

        I think it would be a touching and thoroughly characteristic gesture on his part.

  4. Nicole says:

    I think the fact that her half-sister is the one that “advised” him is what got on my nerves the most. He knew that she was trashing Meghan for the last 6-8 months in press and takes advice from her?! Insanity.
    Like I said in the other thread they should’ve let Meghan have her mom walk her like she wanted.
    I feel bad for Meghan mostly because she’s got half a family that has been selling her out and she’s marrying into a family that is…not the most progressive or woke.

    • Reef says:

      I have so many questions for Ms. Doria. Like…

      • perplexed says:

        I’m actually wondering how she wound up married to Meghan’s father, to be honest.

      • Nicole says:

        Same. That entire family is cringe

      • Alissa says:

        honestly it’s like the difference between my mom’s side and my dad’s side. I really feel for Meghan.

      • Izzy says:

        Like what did she ever see in Thomas Markle to begin with that they ended up married at one point? Because I am legit wondering about that.

      • MCV says:

        There’s like a big age diference between her and Thomas, she was very young so you can imagine.

      • Natalie S. says:

        I’ve been thinking that too. It could be the age difference. Doria kept growing and maturing and Thomas didn’t.

      • Princessk says:

        I don’t actually think that Thomas Markle is a bad man, it just seems as though his life has taken a bit of a downward spiral over the years. It would not surprise me if he has a drink problem. He actually looks like a kindly person to me.

      • Maria says:

        @Princess K agree.

      • Masamf says:

        @PrincessK, thanks for your post. I’m just wondering how many of us realize how we are part of the problem? I understand how upset people are for Meghan but, I wish people would cut back on the judgmental criticism of this man. I mean, his daughter has been dating prince Harry since 2016, and the only time he has errored in all that time has been this one time but oh my, what a price he has paid for his one mistake!! People need to know that this man is a flawed individual just like the rest of the world. If his daughter is cutting him some slack, who are we to call for his beheading? There’s way too much unkindness being thrown at this guy for this one mistake. Give the guy a break, posting this much vitriol is not being part of a solution. We are just heaping onto the problem and the result is just causing Meghan more anxiety than calming her nerves pre wedding! And if the father is reading any of this, I’m really concerned for his health!! Now there are reports that he is feeling upbeat and is attending the wedding after all? Somebody needs to be watching this guy 24/7 now.

    • KLO says:

      i have a feeling that Samantha got exactly what she wanted by advising the father to do this. She was probably well aware how sensitive to manipulation he is.

      It always goes – if someone does something incomprehensibly weird and you have no idea why, take a look at the result – this is what they wanted to achieve.

      Samantha manipulated her father into a situation that made him grow distant to Meghan, she also managed to hurt her by having the father not attend the wedding. It`s a BINGO for her.

      • Sophia's side eye says:

        KLO, very good point. Samantha got exactly what she wanted and drove a wedge between Meghan and her father. She’s probably hated her since the day she was born.

  5. L84Tea says:

    I’m just furious for her. If any of my family members had acted the way hers are in the days leading up to my wedding I would have been devastated and mortified. I’m sure they’re looking forward to all of the dust settling after this so that their fifteen seconds of fame can float away.

  6. kk2 says:

    This is really sad. I can’t imagine the stress Meghan is under right now… with this on top of such a big public wedding coming up. The news also said her dad was hospitalized a few days ago (heart attack? ) so that is possibly also a factor.

    • imqrious2 says:

      I wouldn’t believe the “heart attack” crap. He was photo’d buying Happy Meals and Milkshakes, as well as a bottle of beer (at a 7-11) on the way to Doria’s to drop off the flower pot. No one who has a heart attack a week before is up for a 4-5 hour drive from where he lives, up to L.A. And if you have had a heart attack, are you going to be eating that crap right after?? I doubt it. I think it’s a face saving “excuse”. Now, do I think he’s been having chest pains since this occurred? Yes, I’d think the stress of being found out and shamed in the press/world could do that to a person predisposed (weight/health/diet) to heart problems.

  7. KeWest says:

    I really hope the mom walks Meghan down the aisle.

    • Belle says:

      I want her mom to walk her down the aisle . While I feel sorry for her, it’s a major break from a tradition that can use some updating. Many times over, a mother does the bulk of the work and here comes dad getting the big honors, many times, underserved.

      Perhaps it can inspire the world to be either or.

      • Veronica T says:

        I think the almost 37 year old divorced woman should walk herself down the aisle. In most cases the tradition is silly. In the case of
        An adult bride married before and the royals maybe pushing her to have her Daddy do that, it smacks of trying to make all of this into a fairy tale.
        And if I read one more Comment about Harry “protecting” her, this“Damsel In distress” who talks about empowered womanhood, I’m going to scream. It is so “poor Princess getting rescued by her brave Prince.” So 19th century.

      • Masamf says:

        @Veronica T, you might as well start screaming your heart out because that’s exactly what I envision Harry doing right now, protecting his Meghan. As much as you hate Meghan, it seems Harry is not sharing your sentiment, so there’s that too. He loves her, he’s in love with her and as he said, he will protect her with every nerve and fiber in his body so yeah….just scream.
        Why is Meghan’s age being brought up constantly like its some sort of nasty disease? She is 37, not 87. I noted in one of the threads that you posted that you are the age that lady Diana would be today, that makes you 57 to 58. So, if you are that age, you are 20 years older than Meghan, yet you write about Meghan as if she too old and has one foot in the grave? I don’t get it! And being divorced is not a sin, if the CoE is allowing Meghan and Harry to be married in a church ceremony, I don’t see what the big deal is, PoW, DoC and princess royal are all divorced and remarried, prince Andrew is divorced, seems like Meghan is in good company and maybe that’s why the royals are not getting all hot and bothered by her divorced status? We are all human, we all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.
        You have posted numerous posts (here and elsewhere) about Meghan and her feminism, I’m not sure what makes you think her making certain decisions in her life makes her less of a feminist. I’m not sure what makes you think that your continuous tearing down of other women makes you more of a feminist than everybody else!! Feminism is building other women up, supporting them and empowering women to autonomously make decisions for themselves. Feminism is refraining from disparaging other women because of decision they make for themselves. Meghan, in all the time I have followed her, has been true to this, which is a good indicator that she is a feminist at heart. But you my friend, I have nothing to say about your form of feminism, nuff said.

      • Olenna says:

        Well said, Masamf.

      • Sophia's side eye says:

        Masamf, all the applause to your comment! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

      • passerby says:

        Hats off to you Masamf! 100% on point.

    • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

      This, ^^, 100%.

    • Digital Unicorn says:

      I wouldn’t be surprised if Charles walked her down or if she walked herself. Dad isn’t going to do it.

      • Clare says:

        I’m on team walk yourself down the aisle. Or with your dog(s).

        Why does a grown 36 year old woman have to be ‘given’ by anyone.

      • lobbit says:

        I hope that someone else will walk her down the aisle, too. It’s a tradition that’s rooted in the patriarchy, but in this instance, I see it as a show of emotional support. Whoever walks her down the aisle would be showing her (and the whole damned world), that’s she not going into this new life alone.

      • Larsen says:

        I’m thinking Megahn may walk herself if not maybe….
        Or Doria
        Or Charles

        I think we’ll see tears at the alter from all the stress too. Poor Meghan, my heart breaks for her.

      • notasugarhere says:

        I think walking down that aisle alone, even if none of this had happened, would be nerve wracking.

        Could be Doria, Charles, or she and Harry together. Any of those works.

      • imqrious2 says:

        While I like the idea/visual of Meg walking herself down the aisle (after all, she *is* an independent, strong 36 yr. old woman who has been married before, not some shy naive girl).

        *However… it is a looooong walk down that aisle with the world literally watching every step. A little support, by her mom (someone who has always been there for her) would be a good thing, IMO.

        Stay strong M & H! Can’t wait to watch your wedding!

      • another kate says:

        I’m normally not big on the whole needing someone to walk you down the aisle, but in this case, I would definitely want someone to walk me in if I were Meghan.

        I mean, just logistically having someone to lean on while wearing heels and the big dress, while on camera and being watched by the world – I’d definitely want the support – both emotional support and literal support.

        Would love to see her mom do it – OR for Harry and Meghan to walk down the aisle together – I think that would be sweet!

      • Masamf says:

        Being walked down the isle is no longer about being given away these days, its more about the father (or mother) sharing this moment with and supporting their child. Nobody owns no one anymore, to give them away. I don’t know why the “given away” is being so hung up upon. Kate Middleton had been living with William for a long time when they got married, but her father still walked her down the isle! Meghan’s age has absolutely nothing to do with anything, and Im getting really tired of hearing how a 37 year old woman shouldn’t be doing abcd. She is only 37, she isn’t 73.

      • Liberty says:

        My dream aisle team choice for her now would be Charles, Obama, and Justin Trudeau, escorting her together, representing all her national affiliations. Take that, Markle trash and assorted trolls.

    • Beluga says:

      I hope Charles does. As much as I’d love to see Doria walking her or her walking herself, Charles doing it would send a clear message of affection and support from the royals that I think she needs and the world needs to see right now.

      • Enny says:

        Although I take all media reports on this couple with a boulder of salt, it’s been reported multiple times that Meghan and Charles hit it off from the beginning, and there is genuine affection between them. So, as a show of support, and to reinforce that she always has a family that loves and supports her, it could actually be quite touching to see Charles stand up and be her literal shoulder to lean on when she’s dealing with all of this on a world stage.

      • Bumble says:

        Liberty for the win!
        But wait-since the Clooneys are coming why not throw George in there too. And Prince George while we’re at it. A veritable entourage. Would be so funny and the levity would fuck off the stateside Markle Debacle.

    • TyrantDestroyed says:

      I support the “walk yourself down the aisle” but I wouldn’t be surprised if at the last moment Ben Mulroney ends up being the good friend who does that. That would be super weird but the Mulroneys are supposed to be very close friends with Meghan so who knows?

  8. Maria F. says:

    I feel really bad for her, but her father not coming is the best solution at this point. He would just be the pink elephant in the room and distract from her happy day.

    • Who ARE these people? says:

      I agree. It doesn’t sound as if he’s earned her undying affection and he clearly doesn’t merit her loyalty. It’s sad, and there is no good solution, but she is better off without him.

    • adastraperaspera says:

      This is what I thought when I heard he was bailing. He and the monster siblings would just ruin the event. I am still shocked at the way they’re behaving.

    • imqrious2 says:

      Agreed. Everyone would watch HIS every move, wondering how he’d embarrass her next (would he get drunk? talk to press again?). Better to just distance herself once and for all. I, too, had to learn the hard way, to once and for all, cut off a toxic family relationship for my mental, physical, and emotional health. While it’s not a happy choice, sometimes, it is the only right one for you.

    • Princessk says:

      Much better to get him in rather than leave him on the outside. He is very vulnerable at the moment, and I think Meghan knows what her father’s problems are. Left to his own devices who knows what would happen or who would get to him.

  9. Ariel says:

    Her father should have been able to shut up, get on a plane and show up for his kid.
    But he was not capable. And that’s sad.

    But as our author pointed out, it’s probably not surprising to Meghan.

    I don’t get the hand wringing about who will walk her down the aisle. She’s a grown woman, she can certainly walk by herself without the arcane and patriarchal tradition of being “given away”.
    It’s a sweet tradition.

    • someone says:

      I don’t think Meghan really wanted him there. She knows him well enough to know he wasn’t going to get himself on an airplane and figure out how to navigate his way to London. If she really wanted him there she would have sent someone to go get him, help him get to England, and keep him occupied with little outings in the lead up to the wedding. He’s clearly a bit rough around the edges. Meghan must have known he’d feel out of his element and make ill advised choices. Assigning a nice young assistant to “help” him would have been the obvious solution.

    • Larsen says:

      I honestly don’t think her father was ever emotionally equipped for all this. JMO
      he’s been living in reclusive ly in Mexico by choice.

  10. perplexed says:

    Question: Why did the father listen to Meghan’s half-sister to stage the paparazzi photos? That’s the part of the story I don’t get.

    • Zapp Brannigan says:

      I am guessing money was the motivator for both her father and sister.

    • RBC says:

      I don’t understand why he went along with that mess. Only reason I could think of was that he wanted to embarrass Meghan in some way. I hope I am wrong

    • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

      I suspect he is easily manipulated by guilt, and Samantha really seems like a piece of work (Tom Jr, too).

    • Merritt says:

      He is an idiot. Listening to Samantha seemed to be more important to him than listening to Meghan. Be prepared for big sob stories when Meghan and Harry have kids and he doesn’t get invited to the christening.

      • imqrious2 says:

        Oh dear God, I didn’t even factor that in! (I mean, I didn’t ever think he’d get to see the kids much, but I forgot about the ceremony(ies)!). Can you imagine this circus starting up AGAIN, begging for invites, showing up uninvited to “commentate” on British morning television?? Oh geeeeeeeez!!!! 😱

    • Natalie S. says:

      Lainey said he was upset about his image and thinks Samantha put those thoughts in his head.

      • DIRTNAP says:

        Maybe on some level he wanted to sabotage his availability to attend the wedding. If he’s a recluse or introvert (which I suspect he may be) a command performance in front of millions worldwide could cause him to act in this way to ensure he can’t go. His need for privacy might outrank his desire to support his daughter. As embarrassing as this is for him, he may actually be extremely relieved that he doesn’t have to attend the wedding. I’m not crtiticizing introverts or recluses (in fact, I wholly identify). I can understand how the thought of an appearance on that scale could make someone do something rash to get out of it.

        Or maybe I’m projecting. Samantha is a manipulative piece of work, after all, and not to be underestimated.

      • Natalie S. says:

        I don’t think he’s that complex. My guess is he’s a selfish, messy guy who puts himself first with being vicious about it like Samantha. His only interactions with the media have been attempts to make himself look good. Even his comments about his health make it sound like he would disregard his own health to attend, they’re so self-serving, but then he’s photographed eating fried chicken so how concerned is he, that is if he even had a heart attack?

        He did the pictures because he was embarrassed and he’s dropping out because he’s embarrassed. If it were about being a recluse, he’d be glad to have the BRF take care of it instead of calling TMZ himself.

    • Nicole says:

      Exactly my question. He knew that Meghan wanted nothing to do with him and he took advice from her. Its amazingly bad judgement

    • Bridget says:

      Reportedly (and I’ve ready this in a couple of places) he felt like all of the paparazzi photos made him look schlubby, and so he decided to stage photos where he looks better. And yes, Samantha was involved. So basically it’s a really bad reason – he wasn’t even selling access to Meghan, it was just embarrassing to him.

      • Argonaut says:

        “pap photos makes him look schlubby” lol the pap photos only capture what he actually looks like. he looks schlubby in pap photos because he IS schlubby.

  11. BlueSky says:

    Speaking of shady families, I saw on TMZ that her other extended family members on the Markle side who weren’t invited arrived in London and supposed to be “special correspondents” for the wedding. I mean….this family. I’m embarrassed for her.

    • Hartford says:

      And did you see that great big-ass pile of luggage they brought with them? Hopefully this “special correspondents” situation (emphasis on “special” because WHO TF DOES THIS??!) is happening in a studio somewhere away from the venues. At this point, I’m picturing them trying to sneak into stuff by hiding behind potted plants.

      • BlueSky says:

        @Hartford OMG yes I did!! And they haven’t seen or talked to her in over 10years I think??? I mean, how f@cking broke is this family??? Who does this????

      • Hartford says:

        I think these people are broke in every sense of the word.

      • imqrious2 says:

        “Special Correspondents” who haven’t talked to Meghan in TWENTY YEARS!! BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION! What, other than to embarrass her, is the purpose of having these Trailer Trash relatives being here? My heart really goes to Meghan, having to deal with this on what should be the happiest time of her life.

    • HK9 says:

      Nooooooooooo, You’ve got to be kidding. FFS. Can’t Harry have MI6 lock them in a dungeon or something??

    • Mia4s says:

      “ I’m embarrassed for her.”

      She has my support. I’m far more embarrassed for the British “media”. Honestly the fact that media that would engage in these stunts is a sustainable industry is an embarrassment to the entire United Kingdom.

      • Hartford says:

        The sense I’m getting is that British media is mostly making fun of them in a “*snicker* get a load of THESE people!” kind of way. Which doesn’t make it better, but it’s a pretty embarrassing moment, I think, for Americans in general as well. It’s like living in one interminable episode of Jerry Springer.

      • Darla says:

        I’m not embarrassed. With Trump in the white house? We should die of shame but not from anything connected to Meghan.

      • Larsen says:

        Well said Darla.
        We have 24/7 non stop idiocy at the head of government .

  12. Natalie S says:

    The Markles are only about themselves. Wtf is this ridiculous story about a heart attack and calling TMZ about it?

    I said this in the other thread, Thomas Markle is probably not a malicious person but he strikes me as emotionally negligent and Meghan probably has many memories of her father putting himself ahead of her needs.

    Doria should escort Meghan to the church as planned and Charles should walk her down the aisle and let the press know that Meghan is cared about and protected.

    • BJ says:

      I’m confused,did he have a heart attack or is that a lie too?

      • Natalie S. says:

        Apparently he never left the house on the day he was supposed to have had the heart attack and a few days later was photographed with a bucket of KFC.

      • C says:

        imho I think everything is a lie. Maybe it was planned and he was never going to attend the wedding….but that would make her look bad….

      • Natalie S. says:

        @C. What do you mean everything was a lie? The pictures were staged and I think he was going to go through with attending the wedding until Samantha’s scheme was exposed.

      • CooCooCatchoo says:

        Fake heart attack. More likely stress-related anxiety, which can manifest itself as a tight chest, rapid heartbeat, nausea, etc. A man of his age (especially one so clearly out-of-shape) should probably be concerned with heart disease, though. The paps who have been watching Big Daddy like a hawk this week confirm that there was no “trip to the hospital,” but that there were plenty of fast food runs LOL.
        What a pathetic, immature man child.
        I really took exception with Samantha’s accusation that Megan cruelly abandoned her father after he sacrificed soooo much to “make her dreams come true.” IT’S CALLED BEING A PARENT, you moron. I bet Doria had to ride his shiftless ass for every child support payment he owed. More than likely, Doria busted her ass to make sure their daughter had everything she needed, both financially and emotionally. She sounds like a terrific mom.

  13. Merritt says:

    Meghan is probably not surprised just extremely disappointed. She probably hoped he wouldn’t let her down this time.

    • Bea says:

      Agreed. She grew up with these people and I’m sure she had good reasons to cut them off. I hope her relationship with her father isn’t completely ruined due to his actions.

  14. klutzy_girl says:

    This definitely answers the question about why her father hadn’t told Thomas and Samantha to knock it off about selling Meghan out to the media. Poor Meghan.

    I hope Doria walks her down the aisle now or she does it herself.

  15. Who ARE these people? says:

    Thomas Markle doesn’t sound like a “proud” man. He sounds like an impulsive, irresponsible mess and maybe more than a little manipulative as well. It fits with how his other children behave.

    Cut off that coat of arms crap. If the royals could exile an abdicated king they can cut this one loose. Meghan can conduct the relationship in private according to her own needs.

  16. Jussie says:

    I’m still really surprised this wasn’t handled better from day one. They had to know there was a chance that at least one her siblings and that ex-friend would cause problems post engagement, given there were already rumblings when they were just dating.

    I don’t mean they could have shut them up, but they could have at least got ahead of it a bit. She could have talked about her family situation in Vanity Fair, or they could have just spread a few articles about it, to lay some groundwork and make it clear these people aren’t really a part of her life and know nothing about her current situation. Doing that BEFORE they started selling stories left and right at least would have given it some context.

    • Hartford says:

      Bit of a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation. I think Harry’s earlier statement, that “we’re the family she’s never had” business, might have actually been trying to do just that. We all know how THAT went over. I couldn’t understand all the criticism they caught for that, seeing as how they’d known for some time that Markle’s sister was writing that ridiculous book. Turns out he wasn’t wrong.

    • notasugarhere says:

      If she had talked about it in VF, the tabloids would have been trying to get even more stories out of her father’s side.

  17. Hartford says:

    Jesus, can this dumpster fire of a family get any worse?

    • MVC says:

      Wait until they have kids…🤪

    • RBC says:

      Wait until Meghan and Harry decide to start a family. Endless headlines about how “cruel” they are to keep the grandchildren away from her father and siblings. Also don’t forget that Father’s Day is coming up. That will will certainly have some cringeworthy headlines
      They are not finished

      • marjiscott says:

        If the Markle relatives get a foothold on this wedding coverage as “special correspondants”, I’m afraid you are right.

    • Digital Unicorn says:

      At some point the UK rabid press will turn on the rest of the Markles clan just like they did with the father. Mark my words, once the wedding is over and she is officially part of the RF the worm will turn.

      • Chaine says:

        Exactly… there will be some cousin she hasn’t seen since childhood, and that cousin’s boyfriend will get arrested for DUI, and we’ll get headlines “Meghan’s DUI Shame” or something like that.

  18. Anastasia says:

    Very good advice, I totally agree. Especially let go and let God. So true. I do feel for both of them having to deal with this crap, but hopefully it won’t cast a shadow on their special day. I’m so excited!!!

  19. Chef Grace says:

    You don’t get to choose your family. But you can choose to remove yourself from a toxic situation. I hope she moves on from this drama. Weddings are stressful enough.

  20. InVain says:

    As someone with a father who has constantly disappointed me for 20 years, I know just how incredibly difficult of a position she’s in. To want him at your wedding, to look up to him in almost a twisted way, to always hope that he might change or act differently. And then each time he lets you down again it breaks you a little bit more. It takes so much to write a parent off, even at her age. And then add that b*tch Samantha to the mix? MY GOD. I do feel so badly for Meghan. Not her father. I truly hope that Harry can be strong and supportive for her. I look to my husband for the same things when my family starts sucking the life out me again…and that’s a tough role and position for him too. I hope they have a really beautiful day – as worry-free as possible.

    • artistsnow says:

      Yes. Yes. Yes.

      It takes a lifetime to undo a hurt of one second. My father did unforgivable things. He passed away a few years ago, and even though the umbrella of living under him has changed, I STILL find myself dissolved in tears and clenched in pain over his life long abandonment of an incredible daughter who to this very day blames herself. :-{

      • imqrious2 says:

        BIG hugs to you artistsnow! 🤗🤗Many healing thoughts are being sent to you!

      • Chaine says:

        Same here, @artistsnow. My parent was an obvious narcissist with no conscience yet until the very end I harbored an unspoken hope that there would be a call saying that they recognize that they were a terrible parent, and that they are sorry for it. Didn’t happen for me and I still have moments of anger and even tears about it.

  21. darkladi says:

    You think this is bad? Wait til she’s pregnant.

    • Hartford says:

      That is exactly the first thing I thought reading this.

    • Darla says:

      Wait till her father passes. If he were to have a sudden heart attack or stroke or any health event, the evil twins there will be all over tv and tabloids saying Meghan killed him and he died of a broken heart. I would not want to be in her shoes, but I hate attention so.

  22. L84Tea says:

    I sincerely hope she doesn’t give any of those family members the time of day ever again. There would be no coming back from this for me. A little shared DNA does not entitle you to anything in my book.

    • Giddy says:

      I can practically hear it: “You can take us on a private tour, right?” “I just want to meet the Queen!” “With all those rooms why can’t we spend the night?” “ Why can’t I try on a crown?” “You’re just being selfish!”

      What Meghan won’t hear: “I’m so happy for you.”

  23. Kristen says:

    This family is something else.

    I bet the Middletons are loving it, though.

    • MVC says:

      I don’t think they’re that mean tbh anyone with 0’1% of humanity would feel bad for her.

    • perplexed says:

      For some reason I can picture them being as bewildered as the rest of us.

      I don’t think this is the worst scandal the royal family has ever seen (not even in the top 10 actually), but the lack of family loyalty among the immediate relatives might baffle them.

      Lots of dysfunctional families exist, but that half-sister is way too much!

      • Princessk says:

        Very true, lets face it there was always doubt from the very beginning that he would turn up. But it is very embarrassing all the same. We should be talking about her dress, the bridesmaids, the guests now, not talking about her father pulling out.

    • Chaine says:

      Not a Middleton fan, but they honestly don’t seem like that kind of people. I do think they will ultimately be relieved that the spotlight is off of them for the time being, though.

    • Maria says:

      The Middletons shouldn’t love it too much. The case of David Matthews’s rape allegations is still unsolved.

      • Larsen says:

        Mic drop!

      • whatever1 says:

        Dave Matthews’s rape allegations aren’t going to hurt the Middledon’s. The alleged allegations happened in the 90’s waaaay before Pippa met and married James. It’s not like the Middleton’s were friends with the Matthews family back then and colluded with Dave to rape those girls.

      • Olenna says:

        Matthews allegations may not “hurt” the Midds, but it sure is going to be awkward for QM Carole when she starts marketing her new grandbabies growing up with one big, happy Middleton-Matthews family. Ahh, just thought of it reminds me of those staged pap photos she arranged with PG Tips.

    • DP says:

      I bet they are too… takes the heat off them a bit.

  24. Toot says:

    I feel so terrible for Meghan and Harry. Meghan has some of the most selfish family members I’ve seen, and Harry feels guilty because the person he loves in going through this hell because she agreed to marry him. He already hates the press, this will make it worst.

    It’s a completely terrible situation.

  25. Masamf says:

    Harry needs our prayers too and Im praying for both him and Megs. The poor guy probably is thinking that whatever he touches spoils and is beside himself. He knows that before he started dating Meghan, yes this “horrendous” family existed but they weren’t going through what they have been put through until she met him. He probably now blames himself for everything and I can’t even begin to imagine how he is feeling. My hope and prayer is that their love is strong enough for both to calm each other down and be there for each other, they need each other.

    • harla says:

      I agree Masamf and have been keeping him in my thoughts and prayers. He wants so badly to protect her, I can’t even imagine how badly he feels that he can’t protect her from her own family.

      • KLO says:

        Maybe this is what she neede to finally move on. I wish Meghan and Harry happiness and hope that this will blow over in due time. The press will get tired of the weird family at one point.

  26. Darla says:

    The only silver lining in all of this is that it’s the white side of her family. I really cringe to imagine what would happen if this were the maternal side of her family.

    I’m starting to get a bad feeling about this. Though I am younger than Diana was, I am old enough to remember her running out of some public event, in tears, the day or days before her wedding.

    • Sid says:

      I know exactly what the headlines would be if it were the maternal side of her family behaving this way. I have noticed that while most people are horrified by the Markles, there are quite a few defending them because “mean old Meghan” abandoned them. I doubt the Black side of her family would be afforded even that.

      I’ll also add that I suspect her maternal side must be mainly typical American middle-class types because if they weren’t, the media would definitely have found a way to splash them all over the news even without their participation. The Daily Fail’s straight outta Compton headline regarding her mother tells you exactly what they were hoping to be able to do.

    • Ratsy Pomona says:

      I know, I was thinking the same thing, if it was the black side of her family it wouldn’t be enough to call them trashy, papers would use racialized language too!

      At any rate, I feel badly for Meghan. It’s hard to convince people to cut off toxic family members, but I hope she feels empowered to do so now.

    • Princessk says:

      I believe Doria keeps herself to herself and doesn’t mix much with her extended family, if she did the gutter news would be digging dirt on them.

  27. Svea says:

    The evil sister is a sabotageur. IMO Dad really really didn’t want to go and this was his subconscious or not-so-subconscious way of getting out.

  28. San from Europe says:

    Well said, Kaiser !

  29. Cee says:

    My god, this makes me appreciate the Middletons SO MUCH.
    I truly hope Kate takes Meghan as a sister, and not just a political in-law. Seems Meghan does need a better/more loving support system, especially with her mother living in the US.

    At this point, KP and #PoorJason should stop addressing the Markle situation and the father’s imprudent and impulsive decision to bail on her daughter. ignore them and put out informal statements in the media from other members of the RF in support of Meghan. Someone call the Cambridges and Wales.

    • Larsen says:

      LOL. The Middleton’s, who barter, sell or promote every royal connection to William they’ve ever had , but don’t get called on it.
      If anything it shows the UK media hypocrisy is protecting Williams favorite family of freebie, grifters.

      Middletons just don’t get called out on their self promotion, because the press is in on it with them. Quit pro quo. IMO

      • Cee says:

        No, the Middletons are actually SAVVY at doing all you’ve mentioned above. That’s the difference and why I appreciate them. Carole actually hired a PR person BEFORE the engagement was in the picture. She knew she had to control the narrative to ensure Kate would not be tainted by other people’s actions eg. Uncle Gary.

        Everything, down to William’s and Harry’s images, are a construct. The Markles are lacking anything resembling subtlety and intelligence.

  30. launicaangelina says:

    My heart breaks for her. I have a very toxic and dysfunctional family.

  31. Lala says:

    This isn’t the first time that Meghan’s father has been a HUGE disappointment to her…and it won’t be the last….I’m sure she’s not even surprised by this stunt…considering what went down and how it went down…now she’s free to do her and not have to worry about folks wondering why she isn’t close with her Father…now…EVERYBODY’S KNOW!

  32. perplexed says:

    Meghan Markle seems bright to me, but I’m now thinking she got all of her intelligence from her mom’s side of the family.

  33. lobbit says:

    Let them just get on with it. Dad can’t be there or doesn’t want to be there or both – whatever. They should just let him be, hold each other close, and focus on their big day. Honestly, what else can they do?

  34. Lauren says:

    I had a civil wedding when I was pregnant, very small and had 3 children in 2 years thanks to twins. Therefor we organized a big wedding with church and the baptism of our 3 baby’s later on and of course, we needed a nanny. One month before the wedding I did sit-ups and run to the gym every night to get into my old shape. It all worked out, I felt so proud to manage all of this next to the 3 little ones and had such a lack of sleep. One night before the wedding the nanny that I had paid for this month to prepare everything, which I paid over an agency , had called the agency to complain and ask for more money, she wanted 1500.- € more for „eating money“ although the fridge was always full. Today I can laugh about it but I know that on this day I felt so betrayed and hurt and cried and thought it was so inappropriate one day before the wedding. I mean we paid her room, bathroom, hotel, language school, good salary and this could not wait another 2 days? Some people are just greedy and selfish and jealous and it is very ugly to be that way.

  35. mogul says:

    Too bad the Obama’s are not invited, Barack could have given her away. As in, we America give our child away to the Brit. 😂😂🤣

  36. LW says:

    I am so pissed off and sad on her behalf. These people are a shitshow. She should not get one more ounce of grief for having virtually nothing to do with these users. I hope she enjoys her day. These people only reflect on themselves and not Meghan.

    • Lauri says:

      I agree with you LW! I’m so angry with Samantha (the half-sister)!!!!! I am absolutely convinced she knew exactly what would happen when she convinced her father to work with the paparazzi. She’s been trying so hard to hurt and humiliate Meghan since H&M’s relationship became public and will use anyone, even her own father, in order to accomplish that. She is completely vile, without honor or compassion. The lowest pits of Hell are reserved for people like her.

  37. DavidBowie says:

    What a sh*t show. One question…was her father at her first wedding?

    • Tonya says:

      NO…he wasn’t at the civil service in LA and didn’t attend the wedding in Jamaica…

  38. Case says:

    All this stress and drama right before the wedding is awful. Meghan is surely under enough pressure as it is. I feel terrible for her to be going through this in public just days before the wedding. This is supposed to be the happiest time of her life.

  39. Jaded1 says:

    Maybe this is what Harry meant by Megan getting “the family she never had”? The royal family may have its issues, but discretion, decorum, and somewhat support are there to some degree. The Markles just seem to go big with every flaw.

    I think her dad has mental health issues. He seems to almost be a recluse in Mexico and clearly can be easily swayed by his other crazy daughter. I think he is fragile and has been taken advantage of and now is panicking from the mess and just wants to hide. I don’t blame him, but I still feel badly for Meghan. I don’t think she had her dad walk her down the aisle for her first wedding, so this may have been her chance to do it. While I don’t think the “giving away” thing is a big deal, I think it is a sweet gesture that many women like to do.

    • Becks1 says:

      I agree. I think he was in the wrong here, but I also feel like he was probably being used by the sister and didn’t anticipate the reaction.

  40. Keepitreal says:

    My father could not be bothered to show up at my wedding, never mind walk me down the aisle. Meghan will be just fine.

    • Christin says:

      Sorry you experienced that.

      Meghan’s situation reminded me of Jackie Kennedy’s father being too drunk to show up at her wedding and walk her down the aisle. Relatives can certainly let us down.

      • Keepitreal says:

        Thank you, Christin. Relatives are really something; damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

  41. Avery says:

    I feel so sorry for her. This is a horrible thing to happen before your wedding. No one deserves this. I am however, glad that he was exposed and that her siblings look like the trash that they actually are. This whole thing with her family is disgusting, sad and infuriating.

  42. Bridget says:

    What an awful family. He made the stupid choice of staging those shots, and now because HE’S embarrassed he’s skipping the wedding. What a selfish man.

  43. MI6 says:

    Amen, Kaiser. 🙏

  44. jammypants says:

    Poor Megan. Pretty much everyone in her life turned their back on her, best friend, family, etc. They need to just let her be. Just because they’re unhappy with their life. No need to ruin hers. It must hurt deeply to be betrayed by everyone important in your life like this.

  45. Sammy Sushi says:

    When the hubbie notices the messy press, it’s bad.

    Meg’s Daddy Dearest has now given her a free pass to effectively banish him from her day-to-day life and to send brief notes on major milestones: ‘Dear dad, Harry is besotted w our little one. Here’s a cute snap of the 2 of them playing w my tiara. Hugs, Meg.’

    He absolutely cannot participate in her day. She should walk alone w her head high. I just hope her relatives fade into obscurity, quickly.

    • Chaine says:

      Yup, busy day at work yesterday and when I got home around 7 pm practically the first thing my partner announced was “what a circus the royal wedding is turning into” as he knew about Markle welching out before I did…

  46. aang says:

    I’m not really seeing how this is different than Pippa and her books and blogs and announcements. Other than that the dad is American and lower class.

  47. Melmel says:

    Does Meghan habr any family from her mother’s side attending aside.from Doria?

  48. Sage says:

    Meghan’s family is her mother only. She has been trying to say that in ways since the beginning but was attacked for being cold and callous with her relationships. Hopefully, it’s clear now why her mother is the only family member she wants in her life.

    • Larsen says:

      Yes. I truly believe that it’s been Meghan and Doria as a unit., when the reports said Harry had never met the dad, that said it all.

      I hate to say it, but I have a family that did some crazy crap around time of my wedding , running to my husband days before , telling him crap and then my dad also backed out from coming last minute. I was crushed, but I trudged ahead , the day turned out great.

      My heart aches for Meghan. This makes her more sympathetic for me anyway.

  49. ickythump says:

    Meghan is entering a whole new world – she can call the shots. She can cut her horrible family (except mum of course) out of her life very easily. None of them need have access to her in her new life. If she and Harry knuckle down and work hard on their causes she will gain respect and this ridiculous drama before the wedding will be consigned to the rubbish bin of life. Breathe in, breathe out and move forward Meghan. I for one am rooting for you.

    • Maria says:

      She certainly can’t call the shots with her in-laws.

      • Canadian Becks says:

        No, she certainly cannot. And if she ever gets divorced, she’ll never get to see her children on Christmas Day, ever again.

  50. Sage says:

    What a total gong show. Leave it Harry to marry into a total dysfunctional family as his wasn’t enough. He’s so dramatic.

    • Veronica T says:

      It’s the Kardashians but at least they like each other.
      And the whole way this is being portrayed with the royals maybe pushing her to have her Daddy walk her down the aisle like a young, blushing bride smacks of trying to make all of this into a fairy tale. Add in Harry “protecting” her, this “Damsel In distress” attitude about a woman who talks about empowered womanhood, is laughingly hypocritical. “Poor Princess getting rescued by her brave Prince.” So 19th century. Maybe not her fault, but that is the story they are pushing.

  51. BegoneOrangeCheeto says:

    Poor Meg. I seriously want to give that woman a hug right now. I’m sure she’ll hold it together just fine – but it can’t be easy to have family drama not even a WEEK before your big day marrying into one of the most famous families in the entire world. Man, if I were her, I’d be smuggling whiskey into a flask and ensuring that there’s a pocket in my wedding gown.

  52. Maria says:

    Is Doria in the UK yet?

  53. bitchy architect says:

    I have to say this so reminds me of my father-in law. Its always all about him. He never bothers to think how his behavior affects others (especially his children) If my husband had married a princess this is exactly how he would behave.

  54. Jaded says:

    With that kind of family Meghan is damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t. She would have been raked over the coals if her father hadn’t walked her down the aisle, now she’s paying the price for being inclusive and having her irresponsible POS dad pull out at the last minute. Oh and the half-sister who pushed him into doing the TMZ photos? She should be banned from coming anywhere NEAR the wedding. They’ve both shot themselves in the foot big time and forget ever having any kind of relationship with Meghan again. I think the public will be so cheesed off with the two of them that the tide will turn against them big time.

  55. Jenn says:

    Meghan really seems like just another loving daughter of a selfish man … there are millions (billions?) of us out here.

    I hope she has a wonderful wedding day regardless.

    She has spoken well of both her parents in the past. She doesn’t deserve any of this. Personally I hope her Mom walks her down the aisle.

  56. Dr Mrs The Monarch says:

    I feel like a lot of this has been staged by the media as revenge for Harry and Meg not giving them all exclusive access- despite the fact that they respected Harry’s wishes and left Megan alone and didn’t publish her sex tape or naked selfies. You KNOW that those tapes are worth millions to the outlet that publishes them. I suspect some of it is the media in Britain venting their displeasure with Will & Kate too. Kate takes and publishes her own family photos, paps aren’t invited on every family vacation etc. But they can’t lash out at the heir without comeuppance, so Harry gets punished more.
    The Markles are just greedy idiot pawns in this. I hope that Good Morning Britain makes the Markles look like classless morons and has them do every embarrassing stunt they can think of so that they learn their true place in this. Mr. Markle seems to have figured out now (post-humiliation) what this is really about.
    The only recourse that Harry and Meg have is to only allow limitted access to reporters and photographers that they trust.

    • Cirque28 says:

      Agreed. The English tabloids played the Markle family like a fiddle. Pay Tom Sr for photos and then create a whole new story about how —gasp!—Tom Sr was paid for photos.

  57. Addison says:

    It’s weird that Harry feels this way. I call bull on the source. Also the only reason she is dealing with this is because her family is so strange. If her family was more normal there would be much less drama. Of course it’s not her fault but why should she be upset if this is who they are.

    • Natalie S. says:

      Many people come from dysfunctional families and knowing that about their relatives doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt when their family members misbehave yet again. If anything they feel the loss of not having the people who are supposed to love you the most, yet again refuse to consider your needs or feelings or be able to put you first.

  58. Mary says:

    People on this site ripped apart The Middletons and Catherine on a fairly consistent basis. Meghan decides to give an interview to Vanity Fair so she can be on the cover and that is okay. Give me a break.

    • Vanessa says:

      Megan doing the vanity fair piece was with the palace permission and completed different situations to what her half siblings and her father are doing . the people that don’t like Megan are trying to pin this on her like she responsibilities for her half siblings and family behavior is pippa responsibility for the actions of her father in law . People are so quick to lay blame at Megan feet

      • Violet says:

        @Vanessa – I just don’t know how anyone can be sure the Palace gave permission for that piece. It came out in, what, July, which means it was planned out three months earlier, way before they were engaged – why would she ask the Palace for permission to do something that before she got involved with Harry she wouldn’t have had a prayer of getting?! She wasn’t a member of the family yet or even engaged to one, she was just the GF – did they know she would as good as announce she was going to marry him at the end of the article?! Did they approve the article after it was written? Did they approve the photos? Or did they just say, Sure, go ahead, why not? There’s a difference between saying, “Sure, why not?” and “Only if we approve the text before publication.”. And if they were engaged by then, then they were lying about the timing of everything in their engagement interview. It still amounts to fame-seeking.

        And I’m beginning to believe that Meghan is embarrassed about her father and never invited him and didn’t want him there and only did so after the brother’s letter came out, so it could look like she wasn’t turning her back on everyone but her mother. I have no problem with acknowledging a parent is unsuitable – but I do have a problem with all the seeming fog around whatever the real facts are. If she had really wanted him there, he would have been invited early on, not getting measured for a suit three weeks before the wedding! The whole thing is really starting to smell.

        My suspicion now is that Meghan didn’t want him there at all. Her high-profile fiance hasn’t even met his future father in law yet after all those visits by Harry to North America – he met her mother, after all. Something about all this is beginning to remind me of “Gaslight” with Ingrid Bergman.

      • LAK says:

        Violet: The Palace confirmed it via the royal reporters. It was part of her official public PR roll out ahead of the engagement. See the twits embedded in this CB thread post. Richard Palmer is a royal reporter.

        http://www.celebitchy.com/548748/was_meghan_markles_vanity_fair_cover_done_with_palace_approval/

        Btw, Kate got similar glowing Vanity Fair article, though not cover, a couple of weeks ahead of her engagement announcement.
        https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2010/12/william-and-kate-201012

  59. paddingtonjr says:

    My heart breaks for Meghan. Whether it’s your first, second or 12th, weddings are stressful and nerves are frayed under the best of circumstances. Add in the expectations of a royal wedding, two very different families coming together and shady relatives selling themselves to the highest bidder and I wouldn’t blame her and Harry if they just said “Peace out, we’re eloping.” Luckily, Harry seems to really love and want to protect her, which counts for a lot. Sometimes you just have to have an “us against them” mentality and block out the noise.

    As for who walks her down the aisle, I think it would be nice if Doria and Charles walked with her as supporters, more than to give her away. Or, as many people have said, she and Harry could walk together, which would be great to see.

  60. Cirque28 says:

    Poor Tom Sr does seem to have alcohol issues (like Tom Jr), as mentioned above. Before the unfortunate pap strolls started, he was photographed buying beer and wanted to let the world know that it wasn’t his beer, he doesn’t drink, it was for the guards. People who aren’t alcoholics don’t get that defensive about purchasing a legal substance.

    All the messiness and chaos, all the dumb ways he allowed the press to manipulate him, all the promising to do things and then reneging, all the good intentions which turn into selfishness in the end… this is classic alcoholic behavior. I’m sure he genuinely wants to be there for his darling daughter but I suspect another part of him wants to stay home and watch the wedding on TV with a bottle.

  61. Hugh says:

    This is nothing more than a PR stunt a yougov poll showed 2/3 of Brits don’t care about the wedding and over half don’t want to pay for the security either this is all Meghan is the victim speel so people feel sorry for her because people are either indifferent or flat out don’t like her he was never invited in the first place and as of right now her mother is still in LA Harry of course is lapping it up because he has a savior complex and thinks he’s saving mummy its how there relationship works all he wants is to save her mentally stable he is not

    • Sophia's side eye says:

      I see we’ve never heard of punctuation or making sense.

      • Hugh says:

        He was never invited, in the first place. Poor poor Meghan this is all about trying to garner sympathy, for an event that is fast becoming a farce. Don’t let your head hit the floor when the inevitable divorce is announced.

      • Olenna says:

        @Hugh, I doubt anyone cares about a divorce. Most are here for the wedding, but if they don’t stay married, it won’t be the first divorce on record for that fucked up “royal” family.

      • Snap Happy says:

        Sophia 👏👏

  62. DP says:

    This should be a happy time, not a PR nightmare.

  63. Claire says:

    This all seems a bit contrived and very weird.

  64. Helen Smith says:

    This week explains why Harry hasn’t met Thomas Markle but he has met Doria.

  65. Anare says:

    It took me well into my forties to learn that I can’t control the wacky sh*t people around me do, I can only control how I choose to react. At the same time I figured out that other people’s chaos is not my chaos. Once I started to figure that stuff out I became a happier person. All lightvand love to Harry and Meghan. May the Zen be with them! ☯️

  66. Starlight says:

    I feel sorry for her father as weddings for daughters are usually once in a lifetime and I will be thinking of him when she arrives at the chapel without him by her side., so apparently, according to media, she wants to arrive on her own. Will this be a signal that she has turned her back totally on her roots to begin again. This lady is a chameleon she reinvents herself over and over. But how many casualties along the way. I wish them luck and abundance of beautiful children but this wedding isn’t without questions in a media savvy world.