Meghan Markle publicly cut ties with her father, Thomas, around the time she got married to Prince Harry. Since then, the pair have been involved in an ongoing feud, intermitted by exclusive interviews, during which mostly Thomas Markle opens up about their estrangement.
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Thomas Markle's ex-wife gave an interview to the Mirror in 2019, urging the Duchess to stay away from her father. She also spoke out about the real reason why the Duchess cut ties with her family. Find out more below.
Who is Roslyn Markle?
Roslyn Markle married Meghan's father back in 1964. The couple remained together for eleven years, and they had two children—Thomas Jr. and Samantha, both of whom are also on bad terms with their half-sister.
Thomas Markle then went on to marry Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, in 1979. The resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, gave an interview to the Mirror in 2019, during which she accused her ex-husband of cheating on her while they were married, amongst other things.
During her interview with the Mirror, Roslyn Markle revealed her ex-husband cheated on her multiple times, including with one of her relatives. She also argued he had shouted verbal abuse at her, and overall treated her very poorly over the span of their marriage. Roslyn explained that Thomas was an 'awful father', who preferred to spend his time away from the family home, with other women. While she claims he was never physically violent against her, he would often shout at her. She said:
He would scream, "f*** you", "f*** off," "leave me the f*** alone", or "get the f*** out of here". Everything was f***. He called me a f****** c*** a lot.
Thomas Markle has denied all claims made against him. He published a statement to defend himself, saying:
These accusations about my relationship more than 40 years ago with my first wife are not valid. None of them. If you have questions ask my children.
She revealed why Meghan Markle cut ties with her family
Roslyn Markle urged her former step-daughter to never let Thomas Markle back into her life. She explained:
Repeatedly he has shown to Meghan he cannot be trusted. She must know that now. I speak not out of bitterness, my life moved on many years ago, but out of concern.
Archie deserves to be brought up in a happy home, not in this vengeful situation that has been created. Tom was an awful father. What makes him think he'd be a great grandfather to Archie?
In an interview with Radar Online in 2017, she also took time to give her understanding of Meghan Markle's rocky relationship with her family, especially her now estranged father, Thomas. According to her, distance was the real reason why the father-daughter bond slowly fizzled out. She said:
When Meghan graduated from high school, she went to Northwestern which is up in Illinois. And when she finished that, she worked in Argentina. Then she started Suits and she started her acting career. It was the scenario that everyone got busy, and the distance was always a factor.
Read more:
Meghan Markle's father is worried about Archie and Lilibet: 'They will start to ask questions'
Meghan Markle’s father wishes to heal his relationship with Meghan
Sources used:
Daily Mail: Don't let Thomas Markle into Archie's life, says his ex-wife: She accuses him of being an 'awful father' and claims he cheated on her, was prone to foul-mouthed outbursts and 'cannot be trusted'
OK!: Real reason why Meghan Markle doesn't speak to her family revealed by stepmother
Mirror: Meghan Markle's dad must never be in Archie's life, says his ex-wife
Daily Star: Meghan Markle's ‘stepmum reveals TRUTH about family rift' – but sister raps 'crazy' claims
