Meghan Markle’s estranged father Thomas hits out at her decision to step back from the royal family

Publish Date
Monday, 13 January 2020, 9:25AM

Meghan Markle's estranged father Thomas Markle has been keeping largely out of the spotlight for a few months now ... that was until this week.

Just days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they plan to work to become "financially independent" and will be scaling down their official royal duties, the 75-year-old former lighting director has spoken out saying he is "disappointed" by the news.

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“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

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Thomas - who hasn't seen his daughter since before she married Prince Harry in May 2018 - told Us Weekly magazine, "I'll just simply say I'm disappointed."

The royal couple announced last week they plan to "carve out a progressive new role" for themselves.

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In a statement posted to their Instagram account, they wrote: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."

Harry and Meghan will be splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America.

However, Buckingham Palace officials later described the move as "complicated."

They said in a brief statement: "Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage.

"We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through."

The 38-year-old former actress has been estranged from her father since he famously skipped her and Prince Harry's wedding last May amid fallout stemming from the staged photo scandal and him repeatedly speaking about the Sussexes to the press.

 

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