The Duchess of Sussex: Family and Background

[Madame Verseau]

Giving the Markles any money at any point looks like a blackmail payoff. No doubt Meghan was vetted but the tabloids will twist it as the palace missed something.

 

[Zaira]

IMO Doria doesn't need to move permanently to the UK to spend a lot of time with Meghan. You do not need a special visa to come over for 4 month stays unless you are working. If she retires soon and doesn't have to worry about things like paid time off allowance, she can come for half the year and then retreat to Cali when the weather gets unbearable. Still gets to spend a lot of time around her baby girl and possible grandkids, but also have her own independent life still in CA and they can wait until things calm down in a few years for her to move over permanently. PR-wise, she probably shouldn't try to come over permanently in the next 2-3 years while Meghan herself is still going through the process. Especially given the political issues with Brexit and immigration.

 

[Rena M.]

And you think this is about as low as it can get? Oh no!
I can easily imagine a scenario, where Thomas Markle is committed to hospital (doctors after all have to adhere to confidentiality and remain silence.) We will see daily press meetings with a Samantha Markle, (barely being able to conceal her glee) announcing how her critically ill daddy is calling for Meghan to come and visit him on his death bed, and bring Harry - so he can give them their blessing before he expires.
- That he happens to live on will be attributable to a miracle brought on by the (very temporary reconciliation...)
Can you hear the violins?

Muhler, I agree

If TM is only after money, M&H could rent (not buy!) him a house, car, pay expenses ect and make him sign NDA. Everything paid monthly and privately by H&M for the rest of his life.

If TM is malignant narcissist and likes hurting his child just for fun, he could be exposed by a friendly and trusted writer, like Diana did with Andrew Morton book.

There is also possibility of offering him a father daughter relationship counseling, as a gesture of goodwill and make him sign NDA.

This situation create new division within already badly divided Britain and instability. Pride should be swallowed. Pragmatic solution is needed.

What do yoy think?

It is my first post, so hello everybody!

 

[soapstar]

Okay folks, it's time to take a step back. Suggesting that Thomas Sr. should go off and die and speculating that the Markles might stage a death, or kidnapping plot to get to Meghan, is way over the line. I understand that people have strong feelings about Meghan's family, but these type of comments are unacceptable and against the forum rules. Before you post something, please take a moment to think about what you're saying.

 

[Osipi]

Welcome to TRF, Rena, and I hope you enjoy being among our global community here. We're a good bunch and always up for a good discussion.

I don't think its feasible that any of the solutions you've presented are even plausible at this time as, to be honest, I can't see Tom, Sr. accepting it. As it stands now, he would see any of those attempts you proposed as trying to chain him up, stifle him and curtail his freedoms. This is a man that insists on things being done *his* way or no way.

If he had an inkling of acceding to any of the offers that were made to him *before* the wedding, we would not be seeing what we're seeing now. He was determined to do things his way and his way only and refused any offer of assistance that Harry and Meghan would have put in place for him.

If he didn't do it *their* way then when all was peachy, he sure is not going to start now no matter what is offered. He would actually, I believe, see it as a grand affront and run to the media claiming how they're trying to bribe him, shut him up, stow him away somewhere "safe" to prevent him from speaking his mind about just how awful Meghan and her "new" family is treating him.

This is the type of person Tom, Sr. has proven himself to be and this leopard isn't about to change his spots anytime soon.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

If TM is malignant narcissist and likes hurting his child just for fun, he could be exposed by a friendly and trusted writer, like Diana did with Andrew Morton book.

This makes no sense. Diana used Andrew Morton in her vendetta against Charles and the Royal Family to tell her biased side of things at a point she was angry and unhappy. How is that like to "exposing" Thomas by a "friendly and trusted writer."

This situation create new division within already badly divided Britain and instability. Pride should be swallowed. Pragmatic solution is needed.

I think Meghan, Harry and the BRF need to continue ignoring Tom Sr, Samantha and any others as they have. Anything else is just giving those Markles what they want-attention and credibility.

 

[Madame Verseau]

Well the siblings have weighed in
Meghan’s sister blasts Duchess as 'inhumane' for her ‘cruel’ treatment of her father | Daily Mail Online

Usually Dad, Sam and Jr coordinate their attacks. For all of them to come in within 24 hours proves to me they are desperate for their fame to last. There is a fear they are going to lose the big score. Celebrity Big Brother premieres this Thursday and if Sam goes on she needs a fresh scandal on the family to secure her place.

 

[Osipi]

Meghan most certainly is not being inhumane or any of the other dastardly qualities the Markle e(strange)d family want to label her as. She is politely and diligently and respectably not stooping down to the level these people currently are at. Meghan knows better.

Perhaps this is all just more ammunition to use against Samantha, herself, should she by a snowball's chance in hell actually be a part of CBB. Perhaps Samantha is in for a very rude awakening as I'm sure the producers wouldn't be telling her "we want you on the show because you're so good of a prime target for a total meltdown on TV".

There's a lot of perhaps and we know the tabloids are eating all this up and gleefully raking in the green dollars. The more respectable publications have realized all this for what it is, pure crapola, and are backing away.

 

[Lady Reem]

Yes, as I recall he said after the wedding that he had his speech prepared until his heart problems prevented him from going. He never said anything about being told he couldn't give it.

I too remember this. The man is liar through & through and he certainly gives Pinocchio a run for his money.

Re the other demeaning stuff he has come out with, it just shows the world what a nasty and very manipulative piece of work he really is.

I also find it quite disturbing how he keeps talking about the potential Harry & Meghan future family - ‘they will have the Markle nose’...’I want to be near them & involved in their lives’ ... ‘I’m being deprived of them, they are being denied a grandad’ blah blah blah.

He doesn’t own Meghan. And he certainly doesn’t have a right to be involved in H&M’s marital life.

 

[Osipi]

What you're saying, Lady Reem, makes a whole lot of sense to me. its funny that he never, ever speaks of his living grandchildren or his son come to think of it. He *seems* to back Samantha but I've yet to hear him say a kind word about her either. Yeps. He did have heart problems and had surgery. Where were all of his "family" when he needed them? He's made it seem that the only one that mattered at all was Meghan. Oh! I forgot, they, for the most part were congregating in the UK to profit off a wedding they weren't invited to. Yeps... that's a real family.

Tom Jr. just went on the record of saying how badly all of this is seriously affecting his family. What family? Last I tabulated, none of them really give a rat's back of the front about each other and they're not only e(strange)d from Meghan but totally e(strange)d from each other. The only sense of "family" these people have are that they're united in ganging up on Meghan.

These people are sinking faster than the Titanic did hitting an iceberg.

 

[Lady Reem]

That Richard Kay article completely and shamefully overlooks the very abusive nature of the Markles towards Meghan, places the onus on Meghan to placate her bullies/tormentors.

 

[Madame Verseau]

Meghan is half Ragland, her and Harry's children could inherit traits from that side of her family.

 

[Osipi]

As long as the son doesn't inherit the Windsor gene for balding, the kid is going to be OK. Then again, there's some men that look absolutely sexy bald.

 

[DeeT]

It’s shameful that emotional abuse is being overlooked by journalists/media who are contributing to propping up the estranged relatives in attacks against Meghan.

Publishing articles where estranged relatives are attacking Meghan & calling her inhumane, while not questioning the behaviour of those same relatives who’ve had charges of spousal & child abuse against them & don’t have relationships with any of their own children.

Markle Sr already has 5 grandchildren and has no complaints about having no relationship with them, yet is demanding that he wants to have access to a potential grandchild.

It’s no wonder sometimes victims of abuse suffer in silence when little support is given. You don’t reward abusers, not with gifts or offers of houses, cars, money! And they also should not be given attention in the media!

 

[MichelleQ2]

I think public opinion had swayed so overwhelmingly to Meghans side and Sr Markle was retreating... Richard Kay just had to stir the pot and milk this drama for another month during the august break. Public opinion was blaming the press and he wanted to preserve their golden goose so he blamed the palace. Kay played the troll to incite Samantha to chime in. Essentially the tabs are keeping this going for their own benefit. i wouldnt click on the article - the headline was bad enough.

 

[duchessrachel]

What you're saying, Lady Reem, makes a whole lot of sense to me. its funny that he never, ever speaks of his living grandchildren or his son come to think of it. He *seems* to back Samantha but I've yet to hear him say a kind word about her either. Yeps. He did have heart problems and had surgery. Where were all of his "family" when he needed them? He's made it seem that the only one that mattered at all was Meghan. Oh! I forgot, they, for the most part were congregating in the UK to profit off a wedding they weren't invited to. Yeps... that's a real family.

Tom Jr. just went on the record of saying how badly all of this is seriously affecting his family. What family? Last I tabulated, none of them really give a rat's back of the front about each other and they're not only e(strange)d from Meghan but totally e(strange)d from each other. The only sense of "family" these people have are that they're united in ganging up on Meghan.

These people are sinking faster than the Titanic did hitting an iceberg.

I would really love for a reporter to push back at TM and ask him about these grandchildren he never mentions and about his estrangement from Tom Sr and Samantha (though not now). No one has ever challenged him in an interview. I really wonder how he would react.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

I would really love for a reporter to push back at TM and ask him about these grandchildren he never mentions and about his estrangement from Tom Sr and Samantha (though not now). No one has ever challenged him in an interview. I really wonder how he would react.

The writers for the tabloids don’t care about any of that-they are not actually investigative journalists-more like wanna be novelists of pulp fiction.

 

[Lady Reem]

What you're saying, Lady Reem, makes a whole lot of sense to me. its funny that he never, ever speaks of his living grandchildren or his son come to think of it. He *seems* to back Samantha but I've yet to hear him say a kind word about her either. Yeps. He did have heart problems and had surgery. Where were all of his "family" when he needed them? He's made it seem that the only one that mattered at all was Meghan. Oh! I forgot, they, for the most part were congregating in the UK to profit off a wedding they weren't invited to. Yeps... that's a real family.

Tom Jr. just went on the record of saying how badly all of this is seriously affecting his family. What family? Last I tabulated, none of them really give a rat's back of the front about each other and they're not only e(strange)d from Meghan but totally e(strange)d from each other. The only sense of "family" these people have are that they're united in ganging up on Meghan.

These people are sinking faster than the Titanic did hitting an iceberg.

It is never wise to capitulate to those who blackmail & psychologically terrorise to get what they want. That bunch have their pensions/social security, access to free or affordable medical care, roofs over their heads and they certainly don’t look like they ever starve or go without meals. They literally have more than enough to live on.

I think it’s abhorrent the way Samantha and others try to devalue Meghan’s previous work aiding place focus on the dire situation of those with very little & truly in need, particularly, but not exclusive to those in developing countries.

There is no moral equivalency between Meghan’s commitment to her work, duties and maintenance of her emotional/mental well-being. And the abusive nature of Thomas Markle & his family - and their love of greed, penchant for courting the media limelight, plus exploiting tenuous royal links. Although listening to them squeal like stuck pigs on a loop, you’d think there is.

 

[hel]

So much for the DM article being "his last interview ever".

New interview in The Sun, which is labeled an exclusive and has some photos of Meghan and her father I've never seen before, as well as some photos clearly taken at the same time as the interview.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7000067/thomas-markle-never-speak-meghan-again/

And.... he drops this:

“I just want a father-daughter relationship. If that means Christmas cards, birthday cards and getting together for the holidays — that is what I want.

“The other thing is — this will sound a little greedy —   but I took care of my mother for the last five years of her life.

“My daughter said she’d take care of me in my declining years. I’m not talking money, I’m talking about taking care of me. That’s important to me.”

:?:

(I also can't help but note that when he was quoted as saying that he had "only" done 3 interviews to the DM, he had to have known that he had this Sun one lined up. We'll leave aside the fact that the "only 3" number is correct only if you ignore all of the direct conversations he had with TMZ.)

 

[Dalriada]

This whole affair was discussed on prime breakfast TV this morning in the UK again and the conversation always gets round to the fact that Harry didn’t meet his father-in law before the wedding. Ordinary people will continue to question that fact so it is no surprise that the papers seem to side with TM until their is a plausible answer from Harry. The idea that this affair is a daily staple on TV now goes to show that Meghan should now realise she is on the public pay roll with all the public scrutiny that entails for her and her family. Remember how ordinary Britons “willed” the Queen to return to London at the time of Diana’s death when she wanted to stay in Balmoral. Ordinary Britons will only put up with a certain amount of aloofness from the Firm.

 

[alicia]

This whole affair was discussed on prime breakfast TV this morning in the UK again and the conversation always gets round to the fact that Harry didn’t meet his father-in law before the wedding. Ordinary people will continue to question that fact so it is no surprise that the papers seem to side with TM until their is a plausible answer from Harry. The idea that this affair is a daily staple on TV now goes to show that Meghan should now realise she is on the public pay roll with all the public scrutiny that entails for her and her family. Remember how ordinary Britons “willed” the Queen to return to London at the time of Diana’s death when she wanted to stay in Balmoral. Ordinary Britons will only put up with a certain amount of aloofness from the Firm.

That's pretty unfair - from all that has been revealed since, the priority was the welfare of the two young princes who had just lost their mother. That was why they stayed at Balmoral, not because the Queen aloofly wanted to stay there for her own selfish reasons. Frankly, I do not understand those who do not sympathise with that priority, and who "selfishly" willed the Queen back to London to fulfill their own priorities, not that of the young princes.

 

[Osipi]

I do agree that public opinion is a necessary thing for the royal family but I don't see that the public has any real say in how the monarchy operates. The public however, can influence their government of the day to implement any changes they see fit.

The mess created by the e(strange)d family is nothing but a circus sideshow bought and paid for by the tabloids that will print anything. It is actually a private family matter and should have been kept private but the Markles decided to turn it into a throw Meghan under the bus party for fun and profit.

Its my opinion that the Royal family and Meghan and Harry and everyone else supporting Meghan are doing the right thing in not giving any Markle the time of day or the attention they're craving.

Just the latest outburst by Tom, Sr. stating he wants Meghan to "take care of him in his old age" is a pathetic bleat to get attention. Does he forget that he also has two other children that live way closer to him and don't have the responsibilities that Meghan is going to be taking on.

To even suggest that the royal family kow tow to the bleatings of this e(strange)d family and the tabloids that are egging them on is to actually believe and support what comes out of the Markle's mouths. I'm not buying it.

 

[alicia]

I wholeheartedly agree, Osipi.

 

[ACO]

Exactly Osipi! The royal family doesn’t owe the Markles a damn thing. Thomas threatened them more than once now. He is s manipulative emotionally abusive tool. He has shown it plenty now. For people to encourage a victim to bow down to their bully is pretty horrifying.

 

[Cocoasneeze]

This whole affair was discussed on prime breakfast TV this morning in the UK again and the conversation always gets round to the fact that Harry didn’t meet his father-in law before the wedding. Ordinary people will continue to question that fact so it is no surprise that the papers seem to side with TM until their is a plausible answer from Harry. The idea that this affair is a daily staple on TV now goes to show that Meghan should now realise she is on the public pay roll with all the public scrutiny that entails for her and her family. Remember how ordinary Britons “willed” the Queen to return to London at the time of Diana’s death when she wanted to stay in Balmoral. Ordinary Britons will only put up with a certain amount of aloofness from the Firm.

Meghan very well understands she's under public scrutiny, hence she's cutting her father out of her life. The father who tries to blackmail the royal family into giving him what he wants. If she wasn't under this public scrutiny, she most likely could handle it how she has before the markles decided they wanted to cash in on Meghan.

There are multiple reporters, writers etc, who have actually expressed, that they now completely understand, why Harry to this day has never met TM. Most of the public, everywhere else but DM comment section, are supporting Meghan, have sympathy for her, and want the Markles to quiet down. TM is seen even worse than Samantha, actually.

As for TM demanding, that Meghan takes care of him during his final years of his life, like he did his own mother. He is of the attitude, that he can treat Meghan this horribly, she just has to take it, and take care of him. Why isn't he asking this from his eldest son? Why is the onus on Meghan to drop her own life, move to Mexico, and devote to him?

The reporters backing TM and demanding Meghan to pay off the markles, how they should've been at her wedding, how they should be brought into the fold of RF, would be the first ones calling out Meghan for having such an outrageous family, and wasting tax payers money to deal with them, and how she's not suitable as a royal because of her family. I'm 100% sure of that.

ETA: I'm really annoyed at TM being upset, that he didn't have input on who Meghan invited to her wedding, and not changing things around, so he would be able to speak at the ceremony. He really just couldn't do his one job: Get his suits fitted properly, get on a plane, and walk her down the aisle. He was making demands for her to invite his family, and I'm sure this 'they won't be able to afford the plane tickets' was just a cover up. He wanted an invitation to Samantha one way or another. His entitled to need to get HIS say in everything, not letting Meghan do her own wedding how she wanted must've been so over bearing. And I'm sure he has this attitude about everything. He would demand M/H children to have Thomas in their name in some form. He would have to he recognized in every single thing.

 

[Muhler]

Muhler, I agree

If TM is only after money, M&H could rent (not buy!) him a house, car, pay expenses ect and make him sign NDA. Everything paid monthly and privately by H&M for the rest of his life.

If TM is malignant narcissist and likes hurting his child just for fun, he could be exposed by a friendly and trusted writer, like Diana did with Andrew Morton book.

There is also possibility of offering him a father daughter relationship counseling, as a gesture of goodwill and make him sign NDA.

This situation create new division within already badly divided Britain and instability. Pride should be swallowed. Pragmatic solution is needed.

What do yoy think?

It is my first post, so hello everybody!

Congratulations on your first post, Rena M.

I agree with Osipi.
Thomas Markle is like a blackmailer (not that he is a blackmailer ) he will continuously want more and more. And if he doesn't get his way, he will howl in the press, because that worked for him.
Making him sign papers won't help IMO. Because dragging him to court would be even worse PR wise than ignoring him.

And then there is the rest of the Markles. If they see Thomas Markle get a slice of the cake so to speak, wouldn't be obvious to imagine that they would want a slice as well?

 

[wyevale]

create new division within already badly divided Britain

Sorry but the idea that the Markle Clan can [even remotely] exacerbate the sense of division in the UK is absurd.
That division is about FAR 'weightier matters' than the attempt by one [pathetic] foreign family to exact money/influence/publicity and kudos from our Royal family.
Most [both here, and in the wider Public] still think 'blanking' Blackmailers is ALWAYS the best policy.
Comparing the remote attitude taken after Diana's shocking demise, with freezing Moaning Markle out is VERY wide of the mark...

 

[csw]

He was making demands for her to invite his family, and I'm sure this 'they won't be able to afford the plane tickets' was just a cover up.

No doubt the tabloids would have picked up the cost of the plane tickets and hotel accomodations in exchange for an exclusive interview reporting on the wedding.

 

[Lady Reem]

Sorry but the idea that the Markle Clan can [even remotely] exacerbate the sense of division in the UK is absurd.
That division is about FAR 'weightier matters' than the attempt by one [pathetic] foreign family to exact money/influence/publicity and kudos from our Royal family.
Most [both here, and in the wider Public] still think 'blanking' Blackmailers is ALWAYS the best policy.
Comparing the remote attitude taken after Diana's shocking demise, with freezing Moaning Markle out is VERY wide of the mark...

^^^ Exactly.

The grotesque sense of entitlement of the Markles and the grandiose belief of their dwindling band of defenders that this lot can effect change never ceases to amaze. They will always have a ‘certain type’ of agenda-ridden tabloid media backers/writers who support them I suppose, but in the grand scheme of things it means absolute NOTHING. Cos rational folk out here in the REAL world (and by far the majority) couldn’t give a toss either way about a group of shameless bullies trying to extort the Royal couple via coercive manipulation.

 

[Madame Verseau]

The media is upset that Meghan is not caving to the Markles and they are trying to turn public opinion against her and the royal family. The press has invested too much money on their would be informants Sr, Jr and Sam through the interviews.

So Sr wanted input on the wedding, trying to force the siblings on the guest list? After the public attacks prior to the wedding I can see the queen saying no to that. Sr is obsessed with Harry and Meghan's children because they will be heirs to the British throne. His five other grandchildren are "commoners" and it has to hurt them, maybe not the Dooleys, to hear that. The Markles that are not vicious must be humiliated by their outbursts.