Anyone else think Thomas Markle is not coming across well?

[LadyLightning]

He just sounds like a nightmare dad, despite doing his best to present himself as the victim here. The comment about Harry being his family whether he liked it or not? And 'what was happening was not making me happy@. He sounds like a self centred man, I think she may be much better off with no contact.

[caperberries]

Children of dysfunctional families are consistently judged by people who grew up in loving families, when all they're trying to do is remove abuse and toxicity from their lives and save their own mental health. Of course the fact that MM is involved intensifies this and the knives are well and truly out. It's pathetic.

Have you read Meghan Markle's gushing Father's Day posts about her wonderful dad from the blog she kept before she met Harry & her dad was suddenly too fat and embarrassing to appear in the wedding pics?

She thanked her Dad for being there for her and always supporting her and helping her to follow her dreams...

Either the blog post was a complete lie, or MM ditched her dad because he was no longer useful to her.

Either way, assuming that he is abusive and toxic seems a huge stretch.

[HannaYeah]

Based on what I’ve read she was fine with her father until she got involved with Harry.

Most of us wouldn’t be a able to parade our own families around to the Queen, the Royal Family and the entire world as it would result in extreme embarrassment. (I’m cracking up and cringing at the idea of seeing my Dad making idiotic jokes at PC! And he’s a sight more sophisticated than Mr Markle!) I love my family but we aren’t as educated, cultured, rich, whatever as them. Doesn’t make us bad people or less valuable, but I’d never put myself or my family in such an awkward position. To even consider it I’d absolutely have to have given them enough money and support to make it easier on the the navigate.

It looks like she choose this life and willingly gave up her father because he does not fit into her new world. She has a right to do that. But she didn’t bank on him talking to the media. He’s wrong for what he’s doing but he also just doesn’t seem bright nor disciplined enough to control himself. Could that really come as a complete shock to his daughter?

[PortiaCastis]

Nobody can know the truth unless they're the people involved but touting your dds info round the media for cash is vile

[Bluerussian]

It certainly is. Meghan was obviously very close to her dad at one time but things change. She said in a letter how very hurt she was by his involvement with the press and it's even worse now we all know he lied about it. Then there's the toxic sister but that's another story.

The man isn't destitute for goodness sake.

She's good to her mother but her mother doesn't talk to the media.

[caperberries]

She was clearly embarrassed about her family. Her blog is very revealing. Until she met Harry, she'd spent years presenting herself as a well-connected private school from LA with a successful father in the business. Her father was just more grist for the mill then. But the sudden attention of the global press meant that this sort of misrepresentation was no longer possible. So her awkward and unphotogenic but otherwise harmless and well-meaning father was steadily ostracised and ultimately cast as toxic.

Kate Middleton's mother may be non-U but Kate has never pretended to be something she's not. I have a lot of respect for the fact that she invited her embarrassing, drug-dealing uncle to her wedding.

[Soffy]

How is a father well meaning when he declares she owes him on a TV programme?

[LaurieMarlow]

Either the blog post was a complete lie, or MM ditched her dad because he was no longer useful to her.

OR
She eventually saw through him
OR
He changed his tune (it’s clear that the toxic Samantha was wielding influence at the time).

See, lots of potential explanations. As ever, the bashers jump immediately to those that paint Meghan in the worst light

[PortiaCastis]

Anyone know how much Thomas trousered for that C5 programme?

[derxa]

£16,000

[Sakura7]

She eventually saw through him

This is very common, and often happens well into adulthood. On the Stately Homes thread and there are countless examples. When we're children/young adults, we think our parents' behaviour is normal because we know no different. It takes a while to start questioning it, and it usually only happens once we've had a chance to get out into the world and see what normal is. Or when you have a child and realise you could never treat them the way you were treated.

[LaurieMarlow]

She was clearly embarrassed about her family ... Kate Middleton's mother may be non-U but Kate has never pretended to be something she's not. I have a lot of respect for the fact that she invited her embarrassing, drug-dealing uncle to her wedding.

I don’t think their circumstances were comparable at all

It would be immensely difficult for anyone to introduce their family to the scrutiny of the royals. I’m cringing even thinking about it.

However I do think it would be a lot easier if (like Kate) ...

You had mixed in the public school / aristo circle most of your life.

You had strong, stable, caring close family who could be relied upon to minimise embarrassment for you.

You had lots of time to prepare.

The snooty royal fuckers weren’t polishing their blackamoor brooches to ‘welcome’ you into the family.

And while maison de bang bang Uncle Gary was a bit déclassé, he wasn’t a vindictive loose cannon like some of Meghan’s relations.

[derxa]

For once I agree with everything you say.

[LaurieMarlow]

And while this is not exactly on topic, I want to say that Carole Middleton strikes me as a total rockstar of a woman.

She put up with a lot of shit and yet always comes across as infinitely supportive of her daughter. I’m sure her presence has helped Kate a lot over the years.

[LaurieMarlow]

For once I agree with everything you say.

I’m not sure if that’s aimed at me or sakura but all the same.

[derxa]

And while this is not exactly on topic, I want to say that Carole Middleton strikes me as a total rockstar of a woman. Absolutely. She's someone I'd want on my side. She faced down the doors to manual snobs

[princessTiasmum]

Apparently her mother told her never to do anything for nothing,
I was once told never trust anyone who smiles all the time, and that is what irritates me about her,
This turned out to be true in one case
My friend met someone who was always smiling,she thought he was lovely until he tried to rape her,
Turned out he was just released from a mental hospital
different scenario i know, but i am always wary of non stop smilers

[AlorMy]

That’s a new one! MM now smiles too much apparently! Absolutely bonkers!

[PortiaCastis]

As my Mum says
What silly bollocks now
How can anyone know what one stranger said to another
I'm creasing up with laughter at that one, it's a bit sad that people smile too much though as that's better than bitching too much

[LaurieMarlow]

I’ll add it to the loooooong list of bonkers shit this woman has been criticised for.

Surely Kate smiles more anyway? She’s a champion smiler. Shall we slur her with a smiling rapist story too?

[AllHeart1]

I think that invariably there are three sides to every story. His side, her side, and the truth which is usually somewhere in the middle.

I’m not comfortable with the amount of press coverage he’s been courting, however I think it’s also fair to say that while Megan talks the talk re press intrusion, she is still courting the media e.g. with that picture the other day and also in terms of threatening to tell all on Opra. .

I wouldn’t want to marry into that family but tbh I think that if she and Harry ever split she’ll sell him out to the press without so much as a backward glance. And that’s no more than her father is doing.

It’s all a bit undignified really, on both sides.

[StarbucksSmarterSister]

she'd spent years presenting herself as a well-connected private school from LA with a successful father in the business.

He won 3 Emmys and worked for a good number of years on a very popular tv programme That sounds pretty successful to many of us.

[LaurieMarlow]

I think that if she and Harry ever split she’ll sell him out to the press without so much as a backward glance. And that’s no more than her father is doing

That’s utter speculation though isn’t it?

Whereas her father has actually done it.

You can’t really compare what you think someone will do with an actual action and conclude they’re the same.

[Winstonwolfe]

Have just watched his tv interview, he has done himself no favours. Awful man. She's dead right to steer well clear.

[Bluerussian]

StarbucksSmarterSister Mon 27-Jan-20 14:20:21
she'd spent years presenting herself as a well-connected private school from LA with a successful father in the business.

He won 3 Emmys and worked for a good number of years on a very popular tv programme That sounds pretty successful to many of us.
........
Yes and her father was successful in the business. She had a good upbringing from both parents and was well educated. It is a shame it's all gone wrong but in fairness to Meghan, she has maintained a dignified silence. She's like her mother in that regard.

[MyShinyWhiteTeeth]

It's a case of who has told provable lies and has a dubious history.
What is just baseless slander and what is fact?
What seems most likely?