A royal expert has fiercely criticized Meghan Markle for her ongoing estrangement from her father, Thomas Markle, accusing the Duchess of Sussex of hypocrisy and cruelty. The controversy has intensified following the launch of a birthday fundraiser for Thomas Markle, who recently turned 80, and continues to be “frozen out” by his daughter.
The fundraiser, initiated by Lady Colin Campbell—known for her appearance on “I’m A Celebrity”—aimed to show support for Thomas Markle, who she described as “rejected and abandoned.” The GoFundMe campaign, which raised over £54,000, was intended to remind Thomas that “good people” still exist in the world. The effort gained momentum after Thomas admitted in an interview with the Daily Mail that he longed to reconcile with Meghan and meet his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
However, Jennie Bond, a former BBC Royal correspondent, was quick to dismiss the fundraiser as “ridiculous.” Speaking to OK! Magazine, Bond said, “I think it’s rather a ridiculous idea to set up a fund for Thomas Markle. I’m sorry that his daughter doesn’t want him in her life, and I think it’s quite cruel of Meghan. However, he has another daughter and a son who surely can perfectly well look after their father.”
Bond continued, “There are an awful lot of people in the world who need money far more than Mr. Markle. So I think it’s really a mischief-making exercise to make Meghan look bad. Meghan seems to have completely severed ties with her American family, except for her mother and perhaps a cousin. It’s incredibly sad for Thomas not to know his son-in-law or his grandchildren.”
Thomas Markle, who was notably absent from Meghan and Prince Harry’s wedding in 2018 after participating in a controversial paparazzi photo shoot, has expressed deep regret over his strained relationship with his daughter. He has also drawn parallels between his situation and that of King Charles, suggesting that both have been mistreated by Harry and Meghan.
“Neither of us deserves the treatment we’ve received,” Thomas said. “Why have they treated not only me but the Royal Family and the King so poorly? Archie and Lilibet have two grandfathers who want to see them, one of whom is the King of England.”
Reports indicate that King Charles has also had limited contact with his grandchildren since Harry and Meghan’s departure from the Royal Family in 2020. Despite the rift, Harry has often likened Meghan to his late mother, Princess Diana, emphasizing her compassion, empathy, and warmth.
In their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, Harry remarked, “So much of what Meghan is and how she is, is so similar to my mum. She has the same compassion, the same empathy, and the same confidence. She has this warmth about her.”
Yet, Jennie Bond remains unconvinced by these claims, pointing out the contradiction in Meghan’s public persona. “I would say, however, that it always seems rather rich for Meghan to be talking about compassion and love and healing whilst continuing to freeze out her elderly father,” she noted.
The ongoing estrangement between Meghan and her father has continued to fuel public debate, with many questioning the Duchess’s actions in light of her public statements on family, compassion, and forgiveness.
