The Markle Family Rift: Brother Snubbed At Royal Wedding

Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle Sr., was not invited to her wedding to Prince Harry. The reason for this is speculated to be due to Thomas Markle Sr.'s strained relationship with his daughter and the royal family, as well as his controversial media appearances. Markle Sr. has been reported to have criticised the royal family and Markle herself in interviews, expressing his dislike for the spotlight and attention brought on by his daughter's relationship. Markle confirmed her father's absence, citing his need to focus on his health, and ultimately broke tradition by walking alone up the aisle.

Thomas Markle Sr. was not invited because he had not met Prince Harry

It is speculated that Meghan Markle did not invite her father, Thomas Markle Sr., to her wedding because he had not met Prince Harry. Markle Sr. himself confirmed that he had never met his son-in-law in an interview with Good Morning Britain in June 2018. This was despite Markle Sr. expressing his desire to walk his daughter down the aisle and Kensington Palace announcing that he would be involved in the wedding ceremony.

The relationship between Markle Sr. and Meghan was reportedly strained even before the wedding. Markle Sr. had been living a reclusive life in Mexico and avoided the limelight that came with his daughter's royal relationship. He was also criticised for staging paparazzi photos and accepting money for interviews, which ultimately led to his absence from the wedding.

The decision not to invite her father may have been influenced by Meghan's desire to distance herself from family members who were giving interviews and publicly criticising the royal family. Markle Sr. himself has given numerous incendiary interviews since the wedding, expressing his disappointment at not being included and making negative comments about the royal family.

The wedding guest list caused some controversy, with some of Prince Harry's longtime friends also being excluded in favour of celebrities. However, it is important to note that the final decision on the guest list may have been influenced by various factors, including the couple's personal preferences and the need to include certain individuals for diplomatic reasons.

Thomas Sr. had strained relationships with his family

Thomas Markle Sr. had strained relationships with his family, including his daughter Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. In the lead-up to Meghan's wedding, Thomas Sr. was described as a "recluse" by his son, Thomas Jr., who said that their father "hates the attention Meghan's romance has brought on to him". Thomas Sr. later confirmed that he had not met Prince Harry at that time.

In December 2017, British tabloids tracked Thomas Sr. down in Mexico and photographed him. He told the Mirror that he would "love" to walk Meghan down the aisle, and Kensington Palace later confirmed that he would. However, in May 2018, it was revealed that Thomas Sr. had accepted money to stage paparazzi photographs, and he dropped out of the wedding, citing a heart attack and heart surgery. Meghan confirmed that her father would not be attending and said she hoped he could "focus on his health".

Thomas Sr. has since given numerous incendiary interviews, criticising Meghan and the royal family. He has claimed that Meghan is "cold" and that "it would be easier for Meghan if I died". He has also said that Meghan looked "terrified" in her new role and that "there's a high price to pay to be married to that family". In response, Meghan has said that she is "deeply hurt" by her father's words and has decided not to "engage" with him.

Thomas Jr. described his father as a recluse

In November 2017, Meghan Markle's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., described their father, Thomas Markle Sr., as a "recluse" to the Daily Mail. Thomas Jr. claimed that their father had become a "total recluse" since Meghan's engagement to Prince Harry was announced, and that he "hates the attention Meghan's romance has brought on to him". Thomas Sr. reportedly retired from Hollywood in 2011 and now lives in a secluded house in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, just a short drive from the US border.

Thomas Jr.'s description of his father as a recluse is particularly noteworthy given the intense media scrutiny that Meghan and her family were facing at the time. The public revelation of Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry brought a sudden and intense spotlight on her family, which Thomas Sr. reportedly found very uncomfortable. Despite his daughter's high-profile relationship, Thomas Sr. preferred to remain out of the public eye and keep a low profile.

In the same Daily Mail article, Thomas Jr. also claimed that his father had not met Prince Harry at that point, which was later confirmed by Meghan in her first interview with her fiancé. This added to the perception that Thomas Sr. was intentionally distancing himself from the situation and seeking privacy.

The description of Thomas Sr. as a "recluse" by his son provides insight into the dynamics of the Markle family and their response to the media frenzy surrounding Meghan and Prince Harry's relationship. It also highlights the complex relationship between Thomas Sr. and his children, as well as his desire for a quiet life away from the limelight.

Thomas Sr. had criticised the royal family in interviews

Thomas Markle Sr. has been very vocal about his opinions on the royal family and his daughter, Meghan Markle, in numerous interviews. He has criticised the royal family for their dress code and outdated protocol, even comparing them to Scientologists and "The Stepford Wives". He has also claimed that they have been trying to silence him and make him "go away".

Thomas Sr. has not held back in sharing his thoughts on his daughter's new role, expressing concern that she looks "terrified" and is under too much pressure. He believes that "there's a high price to pay to be married to that family".

In addition to his criticism of the royal family, Thomas Sr. has also made controversial statements about Meghan herself. He has described her as "cold" and suggested that it would be easier for her if he died. He has also taken credit for her success, saying, "I made her the duchess she is today... She became the woman that she is today thanks to everything I did for her."

Thomas Sr.'s comments and actions have reportedly caused a rift in his relationship with Meghan, who has addressed his "betrayal" in interviews of her own. She has expressed disappointment in his actions and emphasised the pain they have caused her.

Thomas Sr. had staged paparazzi photos

It was revealed just days before the royal wedding that Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr., had accepted money to stage paparazzi photographs. TMZ reported that Thomas Sr. had dropped out of the wedding due to a "fallout" over these claims. Security camera footage from an internet cafe appeared to support this.

Thomas Sr. told TMZ that a paparazzi agency had approached and offered him money, and he figured it would help recast his image. The photos included him intently studying "Images of Great Britain: A Pictorial Tour Through History", having a tuxedo fitting, and working out outdoors. He admitted that the photos were "stupid and hammy" and that he deeply regretted going along with the agency.

Thomas Sr.'s daughter and Meghan's half-sister, Samantha Grant, defended him, saying that she had suggested he stage endearing photos to cast him in a positive light. She added that he wanted to be portrayed as living a healthy lifestyle, rather than be caught in unflattering positions by the media.

In a later interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas Sr. admitted that he had lied to Prince Harry about staging the paparazzi photos. He said that Harry had advised him to stay away from the press, warning that "they will eat you alive." After it was revealed that Thomas Sr. had colluded with the paparazzi, Harry told him, "if you had listened to me, this would never have happened." Thomas Sr. replied, "Maybe it would be better for you guys if I was dead... then you could pretend to be sad."

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