The Duchess of Sussex: Family and Background

[AlowVera]

We have to remember we are talking about an adult man who has his own agency. He simply did things his own way and discounted anything his daughter told him. None of his bad decisions are Harry and Meghan's fault.

Hopefully in the future any communication will be done with a third party mediator or mental health professional. It is far better to look for ways to diffuse the situation than allow the Markles the opportunity to escalate the situation for profit.

As far as bringing Sr. into the fold that is impossible if he does not respect their privacy. Nothing could be done with a person who disregards boundaries.

Meghan was not under any obligation to invite those siblings who clearly have records with the law into the royal fold so that they could abuse and profit.

[wyevale]

how a plan to make things different then what was given to Doria?

1] A Marquessate for Markle Sr, and 'the Garter' obv, and the Royal Victorian Order for his other children..[along with the courtesy titles they will enjoy as children of a Marquess].
2] A prominent 'grace and favour' residence in the Palace [of their choice] for EACH of them..
3] RPO protection '24/7/365'...
4] Unfettered access to Duchy of Lancaster funds for the lot of them...

[Dman]

I’m just saying that if Mr. Markle was brought into the fold right after the engagement, perhaps he would understood this new world his daughter was getting married to. If you listen and read his interviews, the man talks like he have no basic understanding of the magnitude of what happened on May 19th. It’s like he’s just isolated and clueless.

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by Dman

I’m just saying that if Mr. Markle was brought into the fold right after the engagement, perhaps he would understood this new world his daughter was getting married to. If you listen and read his interviews, the man talks like he have no basic understanding of the magnitude of what happened on May 19th. It’s like he’s just isolated and clueless.

IMO its clueless of his own making.

He knew before anyone did that Meghan was dating Harry and managed to keep it a secret. So it wasn't like he didn't have an inkling. And he was certainly privvy to the press nastiness that went on which resulted in KP's statement to leave Harry alone. So he can't say he didn't know who the press worked since they were bothering both him, Doria and Meghan He certainly knew enough to stage the shots.

It must have been very frustrating letting the press tell the world who and what you are without commenting and I certainly get that. But he didn't need to speak with TMZ without speaking to his daughter and son in law. What a massive betrayal. I will certainly concur that as Americans he certainly underestimated the interest of the British press (and to some extent the public) but he could have pulled back at any time INSTEAD he made himself more vulnerable by these constant "Last" interviews. Sadly, Tom has learned that you can't put the genie back into the bottle...especially after you have been paid to tell your secrets. Its open game now. He has learned (as others before him) that press can't be controlled. All of this is on him.

[JuliannaVictoria]

I've been trying to stay out of the discussion on the DoS' father, however, Dman I'm not sure what else they could have done. He was offered the same support as Ms. Ragland. He declined. What were they supposed to do? Go to Mexico and force a meeting between him and Harry? That probably would not have gone over well. Kidnap him and put him on a plane to London? That would mean a bigger mess now than what we have.

As Wyvale said, and I'm paraphrasing, should he have been given "better" or "more" accommodations than Doria? I'm sorry, but he's a parent, and any loving parent would not be doing this. Yes, he should have met Harry prior to the engagement, however, from his own mouth, he declined for whatever reason.

Personally, and this is just my opinion: I think that he played Harry and Meghan the entire time. I believe that he has been in this mess with Sam from the beginning, and that he pushed for Sam to be invited to the wedding, and when Meghan didn't budge, the whole events of leading up to wedding surfaced.

[AlowVera]

Originally Posted by Dman

I’m just saying that if Mr. Markle was brought into the fold right after the engagement, perhaps he would understood this new world his daughter was getting married to. If you listen and read his interviews, the man talks like he have no basic understanding of the magnitude of what happened on May 19th. It’s like he’s just isolated and clueless.

His own words "Daddy just get on the plane" he stated that had everything set up for him. I just can't accept his claims of be some befuddled man when he has TMZ on speed dial. He listened to the person who was setting up to take pictures in alley ways when Meghan had already set up a real fitting in Beverly Hills. Meghan can't stop him from listening and acting on awful advice. She can't even keep him from dishing the latest news to Sam who then sells the info to the tabloids.

Meghan has every right to protect herself and her husband from toxic and hostile family members.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Dman

I’m just saying that if Mr. Markle was brought into the fold right after the engagement, perhaps he would understood this new world his daughter was getting married to. If you listen and read his interviews, the man talks like he have no basic understanding of the magnitude of what happened on May 19th. It’s like he’s just isolated and clueless.

Brought in how? He was well aware of what's going on throughout the relationship. He lacks understanding of the magnitude of what happened because he doesn't seem to be capable of seeing the big picture in a number of things he's talked about. In all of this, all he cared about was his "image". Nevermind the fact that his daughter faces unfair criticism everyday of her life and cannot respond. He gives those that want to see her fail more chances to speak ill of her every time he speaks.

[Heavs]

If they'd handled him differently there would be complaints from other quarters as well. If he was put up in a hotel or estate for weeks before the wedding, there would be complaints about special treatment for Meghan as opposed to other brides and about taxpayers money (even if it was entirely private money). And at that point he probably wouldn't want to give up his life for a long time, despite his whining about not being given Royal perks and attention now. She had his "trousseau" ready to go and in his own words Harry offered military friends to literally and emotionally hold his hand on the plane and sort everything out for him but he still waffled publicly on coming until that Wednesday.

Nor does it seem he was a particular problem before the explosive week before the wedding. The fact that he deliberately talked to TMZ and not Meghan and admits not picking up her distraught calls to see what was going on shows he knew what he was doing was something that would upset his daughter and he deliberately did it anyway. Same with PM etc interviews, all planned out in advance and deliberately not telling his daughter, but waving off the idea that she and her husband might be upset, he knew what he was doing. Now he's gone off the deep end on the attacks because his manipulations, threats and pleas aren't working and he can't have it all his own way. So I don't think they could have handled this very differently.


Re: The already debunked North American trip, what do you bet that that's his next interview, whining that Meghan was so close to him but didn't visit? Even though it's doubtful she's in the US and even if she is, she's under no obligation to visit, especially because there's no way he wouldn't be on the phone to PM the second she said she was coming.

[Dman]

I don’t know, but it just appear like Mr. Markle is running around like a chicken with his head cut off.

I know I’m talking about two different families born and raised in two different worlds, but if you watch the Middleton’s conduct their daily lives, they conduct themselves in the manner in which they are fully aware of the world their daughter and sister married into on the 29th of April, 2011. The Markles don’t appear to have grasped this reality. It’s like they see it has a Hollywood type of life. No basic understanding of the royal institution and the massive weight that’s now of Meghan’s shoulders.

If they understood this, they would be focused on supporting Meghan and keeping the media at arms length.

[Mbruno]

I don't understand what posters here mean by Mr Markle "being brought into the fold". After she got married, Meghan ceased to be a member of the Markle family and became a member of the House of Windsor. Surely you cannot expect her father (or her mother for that matter) to join the Royal House too, can you ?



When reading this forum, I am actually reminded of the days of Marie Antoinette, a princess of the blood herself who, nonetheless, upon crossing the French border, had to dispose of all her Austrian clothes to get into French ones (or so says the legend !).

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by Dman

I don’t know, but it just appear like Mr. Markle is running around like a chicken with his head cut off.

I know I’m talking about two different families born and raised in two different worlds, but if you watch the Middleton’s conduct their daily lives, they conduct themselves in the manner in which they are fully aware of the world their daughter and sister married into on the 29th of April, 2011. The Markles don’t appear to have grasped this reality. It’s like they see it has a Hollywood type of life. No basic understanding of the royal institution and the massive weight that’s now of Meghan’s shoulders.

If they understood this, they would be focused on supporting Meghan and keeping the media at arms length.

Well, I think a lot of that has to be due to the fact that the Middleton's are English and have lived with the concept of monarchy their entire lives and the Markle's are American and view the monarchy via People magazine. Of course, they have a different style in how they managed to manage their daughters' marrying into the British Royal Family. For what I can gather, the Markle's have not operated as a family (for whatever reason) for quite some time. And this doesn't have to do with the parents being divorced. You can be divorced and still operate as a family unit in raising a child. ...and in that respect, Thomas and Doria did a great job in raising Meghan.

I don't know what happened with the siblings, how Meghan ended up estranged from them and what motivates Thomas Sr., He is running around like a chicken without a head. And frankly, he can do something to stop but its like he won't.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Zonk

I don't know what happened with the siblings, how Meghan ended up estranged from them and what motivates Thomas Sr., He is running around like a chicken without a head. And frankly, he can do something to stop but its like he won't.

From the sound of it, Meghan didn't have a big blow out fight with them. She just stayed out of their drama. Obviously, there is only one Markle child that can show decent judgment.

[ladongas]

Perhaps Mr. Markle has issues which make it difficult for him to conform to the social norms which would be expected of him in royal circles. We already know he’s a loose cannon.

[Dman]

Originally Posted by ladongas

Perhaps Mr. Markle has issues which make it difficult for him to conform to the social norms which would be expected of him in royal circles. We already know he’s a loose cannon.

I don’t think he and his other children have a clue of the magnitude of the life and pressures that’s comes with Meghan being a senior HRH and the institution as a whole. From the looks of it, they’re looking all of this has some kind of Hollywood fantasy. They’re not taking any of this serious. They’re just thinking about themselves and what they can get out of it.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Dman

I don’t know, but it just appear like Mr. Markle is running around like a chicken with his head cut off.

I know I’m talking about two different families born and raised in two different worlds, but if you watch the Middleton’s conduct their daily lives, they conduct themselves in the manner in which they are fully aware of the world their daughter and sister married into on the 29th of April, 2011. The Markles don’t appear to have grasped this reality. It’s like they see it has a Hollywood type of life. No basic understanding of the royal institution and the massive weight that’s now of Meghan’s shoulders.

If they understood this, they would be focused on supporting Meghan and keeping the media at arms length.

You seem to think they care. They clearly don’t. These are egotistical individuals who don’t have Meghan’s best interest at heart. That’s the main difference with the Markles and Middletons who very much are supportive to Kate. Stop comparing them because there is none. The Markles are bullies. Full stop. Meghan doesn’t have to do anything. They tried and Thomas veered in his own direction. They are all back to work now. The Markles will be less of a story now, IMO.

Originally Posted by jacqui24

From the sound of it, Meghan didn't have a big blow out fight with them. She just stayed out of their drama. Obviously, there is only one Markle child that can show decent judgment.

By her own she words, Meghan grew up an only child. She is 17 and 15 years younger than her half siblings. Seems Samantha has hated her and Doria since they entered into Thomas’s life. Thomas Jr seems to run hot and cold. Meghan stayed away and most Markles have admitted they haven’t seen her in decades and those others last connected at her grandmother’s funeral. That’s it. She has no real relationship with these people.

[Dman]

Originally Posted by ACO

You seem to think they care. They clearly don’t. These are egotistical individuals who don’t have Meghan’s best interest at heart. That’s the main difference with the Markles and Middletons who very much are supportive to Kate. Stop comparing them because there is none. The Markles are bullies. Full stop. Meghan doesn’t have to do anything. They tried and Thomas veered in his own direction. They are all back to work now. The Markles will be less of a story now, IMO.

How can you care about something you don’t understand? That’s what I’m saying..they don’t have clue what the royal institution means and don’t have any respect for it. It’s like all they see is that Meghan married a famous royal guy. The history, traditions, and any understanding of Meghan’s royal role and the pressures that goes with it, are meaningless to them.

Samantha is bitter and very much jealous of Meghan. It’s like she’s looking at her life, then look at Meghan’s, and wondering...why her and not me? Sad state of affairs.

[ACO]

Thomas kept silent for over a year. He understood well enough. There really is no excuse for his behavior now. He started listening to Samantha and let his ego take over. Thomas does not care. He has made it extremely clear.

Personally I think he just bitter over Doria becoming adored worldwide. His comments make it painfully obvious. He a footnote and she is not. So now everyone has to pay.

[Rena M.]

Originally Posted by Dman

The Markles don’t appear to have grasped this reality. It’s like they see it has a Hollywood type of life. No basic understanding of the royal institution and the massive weight that’s now of Meghan’s shoulders.

If they understood this, they would be focused on supporting Meghan and keeping the media at arms length.

Father is malignant narcissists and he is enjoying destroying Meghan and RF.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Dman

I don’t know, but it just appear like Mr. Markle is running around like a chicken with his head cut off.

I know I’m talking about two different families born and raised in two different worlds, but if you watch the Middleton’s conduct their daily lives, they conduct themselves in the manner in which they are fully aware of the world their daughter and sister married into on the 29th of April, 2011. The Markles don’t appear to have grasped this reality. It’s like they see it has a Hollywood type of life. No basic understanding of the royal institution and the massive weight that’s now of Meghan’s shoulders.

If they understood this, they would be focused on supporting Meghan and keeping the media at arms length.

No, no they wouldn't. They don't care. In fact, her half sister apparently despises her. And her dad is more concerned about complaining about problems he created. And they like the attention.
It would be lovely if all of Meghan's immediate family, not just her mom, behaved in a classy and discreet manner--but they aren't going to morph into that now. I don't understand her dad at all or what his motivations are, but nothing was going to change her half siblings behavior. NOTHING.

Originally Posted by Dman

How can you care about something you don’t understand? That’s what I’m saying..they don’t have clue what the royal institution means and don’t have any respect for it. It’s like all they see is that Meghan married a famous royal guy. The history, traditions, and any understanding of Meghan’s royal role and the pressures that goes with it, are meaningless to them.

Samantha is bitter and very much jealous of Meghan. It’s like she’s looking at her life, then look at Meghan’s, and wondering...why her and not me? Sad state of affairs.

You are talking like these are reasonable, empathetic, loving people. They are not--they are greedy, jealous, narcissists.

[Tarlita]

The father has quite a hide to complain that he can't get in touch with his daughter.
When She couldn't get In touch with him right before the wedding. As he said himself he refused to take her calls.
That's a bit rich coming from him when he did it to her on the most important occassion of her life.

He was just too scared to be in the same company as the royals at a big wedding. And i understand that. But he could have handled it very differently with Harry and Meghans help and guidance.