A royal expert has slammed Meghan Markle for what they say is her ‘cruel’ treatment of her dad Thomas Markle – and for her hypocrisy

Meghan Markle has been branded ‘cruel’ for choosing to ‘freeze out’ her elderly father on his birthday (Image: PA)

A Royal expert has accused Meghan Markle of hypocrisy over her treatment of estranged father Thomas Markle, amidst a bitter family divide. The Duchess of Sussex stands accused of “freezing out” her own father in a manner described as “cruel.”

Last month saw the embers of scandal re-ignited when Lady Colin Campbell, former ‘I’m A Celebrity’ contestant, set up a GoFundMe page ostensibly to cheer Thomas Markle on the eve of his 80th birthday on July 18.

Portrayed as someone who had been “rejected and abandoned”, the initiative sought to assure him that “good people” still exist, raking in upwards of £54,000.

The appeal was spurred on after Thomas Markle expressed to the Daily Mail his desire to repair his fractured relationship with his daughter Meghan, an estrangement dating back to her wedding with Prince Harry in 2018 and his yearning to meet his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet.

However, Jennie Bond, former BBC Royal correspondent, has slammed the notion of a fundraiser for Thomas – embroiled previously in a media furor over staged paparazzi snaps – as utterly “ridiculous”.

A birthday fundraiser had been set up for Meghan Markle’s dad (Image: ITV)

Speaking candidly to OK!, Jennie didn’t mince her words: “I think it’s rather a ridiculous idea to set up a fund for Thomas Markle. I’m sorry that his daughter doesn’t want him in her life and I think it’s quite cruel of Meghan. However, he has another daughter and a son who surely can perfectly well look after their father.”

She continued her critique by saying: “There are an awful lot of people in the world who need money far more than Mr Markle. So I think it’s really a mischief-making exercise to make Meghan look bad.

“Meghan seems to have completely severed ties with her American family, except for her mother and perhaps a cousin. It’s incredibly sad for Thomas not to know his son-in-law or his grandchildren.”

Yet, family dynamics are notoriously complicated, and feelings run deep. Both Samantha and Thomas Junior have made some rather extreme allegations about Meghan, with Samantha still anticipating her day in court.

A royal expert said Meghan is the ‘last person’ to ‘talk about love’ (Image: Getty Images)

Thomas has voiced his opinion that both he and King Charles have been treated “so badly” by Prince Harry and Meghan over the years.

The Duchess of Sussex’s father, who was notably absent from escorting her down the aisle, has lamented that the last ten years of his life have been “overshadowed” by the ongoing saga.

He lamented: “Neither of us deserves the treatment we’ve received. Why have they treated not only me but the Royal Family and the King so poorly? Archie and Lilibet have two grandfathers who want to see them, one of whom is the King of England.”

Reports indicate that King Charles has had limited contact with his grandchildren since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from Royal duties and moved to California in 2020.

Despite their separation from both families and perceived indifference towards their relatives, Harry has consistently stated that Meghan is “so similar” to his late mother, Princess Diana.

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In their Netflix docuseries, Harry and Meghan, Harry expressed that Meghan’s character reminds him of his dearly missed mother. He revealed: “So much of what Meghan is and how she is is so similar to my mum. She has the same compassion, same empathy and the same confidence. She has this warmth about her.”

However, after deciding to “freeze him out” on his birthday, Jennie believes the idea is “rather rich” and accused Meghan of hypocrisy, saying: “I would say, however, that it always seems rather rich for Meghan to be talking about compassion and love and healing whilst continuing to freeze out her elderly father.”