Meghan Markle has taken significant steps to distance herself from the British Royal Family and secure a new life for herself, but her past might be catching up with her and causing some new challenges.
Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, reveals his embarrassment about living in the modest Nottingham Cottage with Meghan, especially when his brother, Prince William, was living in the opulent 20-room Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. The contrast was stark enough to cause tension between the couples. Meghan was reportedly surprised at the lavish lifestyle of William and Kate compared to their own, which she thought was unfair given Harry’s royal status.
Although Meghan and Harry later moved to the more spacious Frogmore Cottage in 2019, the feelings of unfairness apparently lingered. By 2020, they decided to leave the U.K. and start a new life in the United States. They’ve since focused on building their own careers, making deals with Netflix, and engaging in charity work, all while dealing with ongoing criticism from the Royal Family and the media.
However, Meghan’s estranged relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, continues to cast a shadow over her current life. Despite not having contact with him since her wedding, Thomas has still managed to influence public perception of Meghan. His actions, including staging paparazzi photos before her wedding, sharing personal letters with the media, and making public pleas to see his grandchildren, have all contributed to Meghan’s challenges.
Recently, Thomas expressed his disappointment over being kept from his grandchildren, comparing his situation to King Charles’s. He warned that denying Lilibet and Archie access to their extended family could have long-term negative effects. This sentiment hasn’t swayed Meghan, but it has sparked some support for Thomas. Royal author Lady Colin Campbell even set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for him, which has surpassed £45,000 with contributions from over 2,300 donors. Many supporters believe Meghan is wrong for cutting off her father, and the fundraiser has led to more criticism of her.
Despite Meghan and Harry’s efforts to establish themselves in America, these issues with Meghan’s father could damage their reputation. The ongoing criticism and accusations of abandoning her ailing father might further strain their public image and impact their standing in the U.S.
