Meghan Markle: Family and Background - November 2017-May 2018

[Osipi]

We're all related to each other somewhere back through the annals of time. Its just how far back we need to go to find the connection. To be totally and really unique, its to be of European descent and *not* related to Charlemagne in any way.

I think we'd be wise to return the thread to discussin Meghan's *immediate* family and background which I think was the intent of this thread.

 

[AlowVera]

In an article published in Oct 2017 a genealogists stated that one of Meghan's ancestors was listed as a mulatto on the us census. If that is true Megan is more than half white.

Usually most African American's are about 20% European heritage. For example Michelle Obama has a white ancestor similar to Doria.

 

[Pranter]

I remember when Tyra Banks was on one of those geneology shows and they said she had like 4 or 5 percent Native American in her mix, which evidently was quite higher than normal.

I love those shows. History and geneology is fascinating to me.


LaRae

 

[Osipi]

Actually, I just had my DNA tested for my ethnic background as I was adopted at three weeks old. I am 55% Irish (Connacht area which is where my adopted dad's family comes from), 18% British, 11% Finnish/Northwest Russian and 6% Western Europe with a smidge of the Iberian peninsula/Scandinavia/South Europe.

This shows my ethnicity but has has absolutely no relationship to my family. Those, to me, are two totally different concepts. I may have ties somewhere to Sabina Coyne-Higgins – wife of the ninth President of Ireland, who comes from the area, but I would never go as far to claim her as "family".

People have their ethnicity and their family and those two things are completely different things.

 

[Pranter]

I've been wanting to do that DNA thing too..just haven't yet. 2 members of my husbands family have done it though and it's pretty neat.


LaRae

 

[Ish]

Posts ignoring an earlier Moderator note have been deleted. Further posts questioning the sincerity of Meghan's relationship with her mother will be deleted without notice.

Posts debating the sincerity of Meghan's conversion to Anglicanism have been deleted as off topic.

 

[Gawin]

People have their ethnicity and their family and those two things are completely different things.

I agree wholeheartedly.

To me the fact that Barack Obama, Meghan Markle, and the BRF all descend from the same person is important only because it shows how silly and artificial our racial distinctions are. Some of Obama's opponents tried to paint him as the "other" because of his race and I see the same thing happening now to Meghan. I'm appalled by some of the comments I've read about her on other websites.

In the past I've used Obama's genealogical relationship to the BRF and other U.S. presidents to refute that "otherness" garbage.

And even if we set his European ancestry aside (and Meghan's too), as you point out we are all descendants of "Lucy." African, European, Asian, whatever, the genetic connection is there.

I love history and I'm fascinated at how science - DNA testing included - helps us understand the past more clearly and set aside our misconceptions.

 

[MaiaMia_53]

If he does not walk her down the aisle, perhaps they can have him at the wedding privately and discreetly. The British press are vultures and have done all they can to harass both her mother and her father. Perhaps Meghan can just walk herself down the aisle?

She could if she so chooses. However, if not her father, then her mother. And she has plenty of other relative and friend options as well, which I outlined in a previous post.

 

[Lady Nimue]

I've been absent from the forums for a (short) bit, but long or short it's always hard to catch up on all the postings. So I am not up-to-date on why Meghan's father's presence at the wedding is being questioned. Something to do with his health? But not sure why that got floated as a point of discussion.

Anyway, if the question regarding his presence is valid I think Prince Charles would be a great substitute.

I could be wrong (of course) but it's possible Meghan's mother may not want such a front-and-center role, either. I could see both parents declining and for very sensible reasons. Meghan may be entering the royal fish bowl, but they are definitely not. They are not British subjects, and have very modest and ordinary lives. They likely would want to support Meghan in every way but participating in this massive elevation in public status may not be anything they want to wrangle, and understandably. Meghan is making this choice for herself alone.

This is not to say her parents would not attend, just not choose to be part of the panoply. This is so far beyond walking one's daughter down the aisle at the village church. Neither parent is interested in the spotlight, that is clear. The wedding is pageantry for the masses, let it be within the confines of that world, with Prince Charles as the escort, leaving her parents the comfort of not having to 'perform'. Just some thoughts.

 

[MaiaMia_53]

Usually most African American's are about 20% European heritage. For example Michelle Obama has a white ancestor similar to Doria.

It's just human race after all. Humankind migrated out of Africa and skin colors mutated to very pale in the cold European climate in order to survive (and receive Vitamin D from the sun). We forget that ancient humans were much more exposed to the elements than we are familiar with in this day and age.

Therefore so-called 'white ancestors' also evolved from so-called 'black ancestors.' In the ancient world, it was more about tribes, and not about being hung up on skin color. Ancient Europeans who migrated out of Africa even intermixed with Neanderthals prior to the Neanderthals completely dying out since humans were more evolved and had larger brains. Science knows this due to advances in DNA technology.

I don't know whether there are hard and fast statistics regarding percentages of European blood in African-Americans. It surely depends, unless there are definitive studies that have been conducted. The percentages can fluctuate from 10% European to 20%, to 30% and in some instances to 40% from what I've heard. Again, there are no hard and fast statistics that I'm aware of.

 

[Lady Nimue]

The mention of 'race' as to do with skin color only came into being in the late 1600's. It's a very recent concept solely to do with the slave trade.

 

[Countessmeout]

I've been absent from the forums for a (short) bit, but long or short it's always hard to catch up on all the postings. So I am not up-to-date on why Meghan's father's presence at the wedding is being questioned. Something to do with his health? But not sure why that got floated as a point of discussion.

Anyway, if the question regarding his presence is valid I think Prince Charles would be a great substitute.

I could be wrong (of course) but it's possible Meghan's mother may not want such a front-and-center role, either. I could see both parents declining and for very sensible reasons. Meghan may be entering the royal fish bowl, but they are definitely not. They are not British subjects, and have very modest and ordinary lives. They likely would want to support Meghan in every way but participating in this massive elevation in public status may not be anything they want to wrangle, and understandably. Meghan is making this choice for herself alone.

This is not to say her parents would not attend, just not choose to be part of the panoply. This is so far beyond walking one's daughter down the aisle at the village church. Neither parent is interested in the spotlight, that is clear. The wedding is pageantry for the masses, let it be within the confines of that world, with Prince Charles as the escort, leaving her parents the comfort of not having to 'perform'. Just some thoughts.

There have always been rumors, mainly because people have branded him a 'recluse' because he is in Mexico and the media cant hound him, that his health is bad. But recent rumors have come out, Tom Jr's ex Erin. Erin has said that his weight and blood pressure means he wont be able to fly. I don't know how far we trust her in that.

https://www.newidea.com.au/meghan-markles-father-thomas-markle-health-threatens-wedding

 

[sndral]

...Ancient Europeans who migrated out of Africa even intermixed with Neanderthals prior to the Neanderthals completely dying out since humans were more evolved and had larger brains. Science knows this due to advances in DNA technology.

Homo neanderthalensis actually had larger brains than Homo sapiens, that doesn’t necessarily mean they were smarter than Homo sapiens, tho’.

 

[Osipi]

Now, a long flight might be a problem for him if he has certain conditions. He may not be able to safely travel all the way to the UK. But if he can, I have a hard time thinking a walk down the aisle would really be beyond his capability.

For all we know, with Meghan's dad being retired, he may take the scenic route to the wedding and take a transatlantic cruise across the pond if his health doesn't deem it possible for him to fly.

Fact is, we really know next to nothing when it comes to concrete and credible facts in this regard.

 

[MaiaMia_53]

Homo neanderthalensis actually had larger brains than Homo sapiens, that doesn’t necessarily mean they were smarter than Homo sapiens, tho’.

Right, thanks. Humans were simply smarter and more evolved than Neanderthals who were brawnier, but did not have very intelligent brains.

 

[Mbruno]

The mention of 'race' as to do with skin color only came into being in the late 1600's. It's a very recent concept solely to do with the slave trade.

Exactly. Furthermore, skin color is not a good predictor of genetic similarity as two people with different skin colors can be genetically closer than two people with the same skin color.

The bottom line is that "race", as far as humans are concerned, is just a social and historic construct that has little to do with biology. It is a disservice to humanity that we keep reinforcing that non-scientific concept in our culture rather than ignoring it and promoting an alternative color-blind culture. My criticism extends to both "blacks" and "whites" in that respect, especially in the US culture.

 

[Jacknch]

Please note that a large number of posts discussing the Royal Wedding have been moved to the http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f34/harry-and-meghan-wedding-suggestions-and-musings-43846.html thread. Lets stay on topic here and discuss only Meghan's family and background.

 

[Rudolph]

Tom sr and a mystery blonde Front Page Of Mirror


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZAQ5HRXUAAVwKx?format=jpg&name=medium

 

[royal rob]

I hope once the wedding is over everyone leaves this man alone. I have started to think he won’t be at the wedding

 

[Curryong]

I'd like to know what business it is of the Mirror who Tom snr chooses to have a meal with? How do they know it's 'a date', they could have known each other for years. And Tom is a private citizen who's been divorced for decades anyway, so if he chooses to eat at a restaurant with a dozen young mums that is entirely up to him!

 

[Lady Nimue]

'She' may not even be sitting with him and/or could be a male friend Completely bogus headline (and possibly picture).

 

[Gawin]

An interview with Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha Grant, published on the Expressen website (Swedish tabloid) on March 21:

https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/kungligt/meghans-syster-vadjar-bjud-mig-pa-brollopet/

 

[TLLK]

I'd like to know what business it is of the Mirror who Tom snr chooses to have a meal with? How do they know it's 'a date', they could have known each other for years. And Tom is a private citizen who's been divorced for decades anyway, so if he chooses to eat at a restaurant with a dozen young mums that is entirely up to him!

Thank you for saying this Curryong!!

 

[Cocoasneeze]

Samantha is basically begging for an invitation, blames tabloids (and stupid people) for misinterpreting her old book title, they should've known she was mocking labels etc. She also blamed tabloids for misinterpreting her hateful criticism of Meghan when the relationship became public. She claims she has always been in Meghan's corner. She also said that she has a gift for Meghan, something Meghan (according to Samantha) has wanted since she was a little girl. She also blamed Meghan's busy schedule for their rift. According to Samantha, Tom Sr has received oral invitation, but no one in the family has received the letter (Duh!).

Yes, I google translated it. IMHO it's her attempt to score an invitation, which IMHO won't happen.

 

[Osipi]

I agree with Curryong. No matter what the circumstances the put Tom and anyone else in the same place, the media has absolutely no right to infringe on their privacy and make assumptions just to draw interest and the clink of coins into their pockets.

Samantha is basically begging for an invitation, blames tabloids (and stupid people) for misinterpreting her old book title, they should've known she was mocking labels etc. She also blamed tabloids for misinterpreting her hateful criticism of Meghan when the relationship became public. She claims she has always been in Meghan's corner. She also said that she has a gift for Meghan, something Meghan (according to Samantha) has wanted since she was a little girl. She also blamed Meghan's busy schedule for their rift. According to Samantha, Tom Sr has received oral invitation, but no one in the family has received the letter (Duh!).

Yes, I google translated it. IMHO it's her attempt to score an invitation, which IMHO won't happen.

Sounds like a lot of crying over spilled milk if you ask me. IF this is Samanatha's sincerity at work and she honestly believes that the media done her wrong and pushed her away from getting a wedding invitation, I have a piece of swampland in Florida she'd be easy to load off on.

I expect more of the same as the wedding date approaches. She can whine, bitch and moan until the cows come home but actions speak much louder than words and if she's not received her invitation, there's nothing that is going to change that cold, hard fact.

I'm going to guess that the gift Samantha has for Meghan is (drumroll) a tiara. Every little girl wants a tiara.

 

[Madame Verseau]

An interview with Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha Grant, published on the Expressen website (Swedish tabloid) on March 21:

https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/kungligt/meghans-syster-vadjar-bjud-mig-pa-brollopet/

I mentioned this on a separate thread, but I should have pulled it here. On March 19 it was announced the invitations have been mailed. Two days later, March 21, Sam does an interview with a Swedish tabloid. I translated the article - Sam is "apologizing" for trashing Meghan in the media and she still wants to go to the wedding. I think Kensington Palace contacted her separately before the invitations were mailed, telling her she is not invited and why. (Tom Jr may have received a similar communication.). Fearing that it will be announced by KP that she's not on the guest list, with probably embarrassing and damaging information (that can be proven) about Samantha coming out as reasons, Sam goes to the press as a preemptive strike. I'm not saying the palace will leak dirt on Sam, but I bet she's afraid it will now that queen gave official consent to have Meghan join the BRF.

When Sam sits at home watching the wedding on TV, she only has herself to blame. She'll really be upset if Meghan's maternal family have invitations and are seated in St George's Chapel.

 

[jacqui24]

I highly doubt KP had to tell her she's not invited, and I highly doubt a transatlantic interview is set up in two days consider they have to come terms with the payment and information to be shared. At this point, the whole world pretty much wouldn't be surprised she's invited. I doubt KP would have any contact with them given that they can turn right around and tell the media what happened.

 

[Osipi]

What it all boils down to is that this is Harry and Meghan's day and they're inviting who they want to be there. There is absolutely no obligation of any kind for Harry and Meghan to invite to their wedding any person that has blatantly come out as "selling Meghan out" to the press. Regardless of how Samantha sees it.

Logic tells any rational person that a person that will dish over and over again to the tabloids would be very prone to run to the tabloids about private details of the wedding. Experience has proven this to be a genuine concern.

Kensington Palace and the staff employed there are above "dishing" out on Samantha Grant. To just state that "No. She is not invited" will suffice. Harry and Meghan owe no explanation to anybody in regards to who they invite or don't invite.

Samantha created this mess she's found herself in and will just have to deal with it. The wedding will be beautiful without her presence there.

 

[Cocoasneeze]

I don't think KP will issue any statements why Samantha & co aren't invited. That would just give the ammo to go to the tabloids again. Ignore them, as they've done so far, and soon no one will pay them any attention, because they'll have nothing left to say.

 

[Osipi]

I fully expect a new round of onslaught against Meghan for not inviting her "dear, sweet sister" to her wedding and Samantha moaning and groaning on how Meghan has snubber her and looked down on "family" as she social climbs her way to the top echelons of British society.

And, as always, the tabloids are going to be right there to eat it up lock, stock and barrel. Harry and Meghan will go on with their lives and live happily ever after and pay it no mind whatsoever. Lots of other better things to think about and talk about than a half sister with the PLOMS. (Poor Little Ol' Me Syndrome).

People also will eat it up as entertainment. I do have to admit that the latest and craziest machinations of Samantha Grant beat articles of Pippa riding a bicycle or walking her dogs and Cressida Bonas perpetually leaving the theater or the latest gig that Lady Kitty Spencer has attended but that's just me.