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Cape Town - It seems the controversy surrounding Meghan Markle and her family just won’t go away – not even with her wedding day fast approaching.
The former Suits actress has previously had to endure damning claims made by her half-sister, Samantha Grant (53), who told an Australian TV show her famous sister sees charity work as nothing more than a “photo opportunity”.
She also told the UK’s Mirror that she had last spoken to Meghan at the end of 2014.
“Her last words were, ‘I love you, babe. I’m really glad we had this conversation. Keep in touch,’” Samantha said.
“And she couldn’t – she got busy. I tried. But I think she just got really busy.”
Samantha even took a swipe at Meghan’s $75k (R 900k) engagement shoot dress, saying: “If you can spend $75 000 on a dress, you can spend $75 000 (R90 000) on your dad.”
Now it’s Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jnr (51) who’s lashing out at his famous sibling.
Speaking to Daily Mail TV, Thomas branded Meghan an “acting phoney” whose lone desire is to emulate the late Princess Diana.
“Diana was worshipped by everyone in the world. She was loved for the right reasons,” Thomas says.
“That’s what Meg wants, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. She’s not genuine like Diana.”
He believes her humanitarian effort is nothing but an act.
“Meg likes to portray herself as a humanitarian, a people’s person and a charitable person but she’s none of those things to her family,” Thomas says bluntly.
“She’s giving the greatest performance of her life. She’s acting phoney.”
According to Daily Record, the 51-year-old also claims the 36-year-old actress deserted her family when she found fame in Hollywood.
“Once she got into Hollywood she turned into a different person.
“Meg is living a certain lifestyle now, and everything’s fast-paced but she’s forgotten her roots and her family.”
In the interview Thomas adds that he thinks it’s because she finds her family “embarrassing”.
“Maybe the normal American family she has is embarrassing to her because we’re not producers and executive producers. There’s a whole different side of her that has started to surface and it’s ugly to see.”
Thomas, who shares a father with Meghan and is a dad-of-two himself, points out that 600 guests, as well as an extra 2 500 members of the public have been invited to celebrate Meghan and Prince Harry’s union next month, but her family remain clueless.
“I’m not bitter, just baffled,” he adds. “It’s hurtful given how close we once were.”
The siblings shared a close bond, especially while caring for their frail grandmother, Doris back in 2009. After she died in 2011, Thomas says he never heard of Meghan again.
According to Thomas, he tried contacting Meghan through palace officials but has been flatly ignored, Mirror writes.
He said his most recent email was to senior communications officer Katrina McKeever.
“They did not even acknowledge its receipt. That whole thing is hurtful.
“Isn’t this where Charles or the Queen step in and say, ‘This is the way things are done. And your family need to be involved?’”
It’s still unclear whether Meghan’s father, Thomas Snr (73), will give her away on the special day or if he’ll be in attendance at the wedding.
“He did [give her away] for her first wedding in Jamaica,” Thomas Jnr notes. “Meg should call him and say, ‘Dad. I want you over here. It’s non-negotiable. I want you by my side.’”
But even so, he repeats his belief that the royal family should step in.
“Is no one saying, ‘It’s not right that your father is not coming. How bad is that going to look if he’s not there?’”
Meghan and Harry are set to wed on 19 May.
SOURCES: MIRROR, DAILY RECORD, EXPRESS.CO.UK
