Despite him constantly ignoring her, Meghan didn't give up on her dad until days before the wedding.
While Meghan Markle may be relishing her newfound freedom and quiet life with Prince Harry and their son, Archie, there's still one relationship she can't get over and is extremely hurt by — the one with her father, Thomas Markle. The new documents released by her legal team reveals the heartbreaking story of a daughter trying hard to protect her father and just get him to know she is there for him.
Earlier in 2018, Thomas Markle's relationship with his daughter became a hot topic after Mail on Sunday released a personal conversation between the two. As a result, the Duchess filed a case against Associated Newspapers and the Mail on Sunday for publishing extracts of what she describes as a “private and confidential” letter sent to her father, according to the BBC. To this, the publication responded that they would defend their privacy claim "with vigor."
In an interview with Piers Morgan in December 2018, Thomas also claimed that his daughter had been "ghosting" him, according to Heart UK. He mentioned that he was ready to put it all behind them and work through their differences. During the interview, he turned to the camera and said, "I love you very much, you're my daughter and I would really like to hear from you. Whatever differences we have, we should be able to work them out." Although, Thomas also admitted later that he believes their relationship is beyond repair. He added, “I can't see her reaching out to me, especially now, and in light of what I'm saying now she probably won't, or Harry for that matter."
But now the tables have turned. In the newest development in Meghan's case against the news publication, a new and rather emotional truth came out. According to People, the documents claim that the former senior royals had been trying desperately to get through to the Duchess' father up until days before her wedding, but he never responded. “I’ve called and texted but haven’t heard back from you so hoping you’re okay,” Meghan messaged, as revealed in the new court documents.
Three days later, on May 6, 2018, when Meghan found out that her father had posed for photographs with the paparazzi, she had messaged him again. She, the papers say, tried to arrange “logistics and supplies for her father discretely and with privacy, with care taken not to feed the press; that she is trying to protect her father from heightened press intrusion and scrutiny and that he should keep a low profile until the wedding.”
Then on May 14, 2018, just five days before the wedding was to take place, Thomas messaged his daughter to apologize. But he also broke the news via text that he would not be attending the wedding. The couple tried to call him multiple times, which went unanswered for half an hour. Finally, Prince Harry messaged him through Meghan's phone. The documents suggest these were the texts sent out:
“Tom, it’s Harry and I’m going to call you right now. Please pick up, thank you”
“Tom, Harry again! Really need to speak to u. U do not need to apologize, we understand the circumstances but “going public” will only make the situation worse. If u love Meg and want to make it right please call me as there are two other options which don’t involve u having to speak to the media, who incidentally created this whole situation. So please call me so I can explain. Meg and I are not angry, we just need to speak to u. Thanks”
"Oh any speaking to the press WILL backfire, trust me Tom. Only we can help u, as we have been trying from day 1".
All these texts remained unanswered. It was only after Thomas' interview with TMZ about his heart problem that his own daughter found out about it. Despite his refusal to respond, Meghan reached out to him again. The documents claimed that on May 15, 2018, Meghan sent her father a message saying, “I’ve been reaching out to you all weekend but you’re not taking any of our calls or replying to any texts…Very concerned about your health and safety and have taken every measure to protect you but not sure what more we can do if you don’t respond…Do you need help? Can we send the security team down again? I’m very sorry to hear you’re in the hospital but need you to please get in touch with us… What hospital are you at?”
She also added, “Harry and I made a decision earlier today and are dispatching the same security guys you turned away this weekend to be a presence on the ground to make sure you’re safe… they will be there at your disposal as soon as you need them. Please please call as soon as you can… all of this is incredibly concerning but your health is most important.”
While the legal documents revealing the actual conversations that happened, some of the press turned over the entire situation and made Meghan appear as the selfish and cold daughter who ditched her family once she found her prince charming. Although the royal couple has displayed great maturity to understand that a few publishers were responsible for how the family has been viewed.
After all the pain they had to endure, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have finally announced that they would not be associating with four UK tabloid publications—The Sun, Daily Mail, Daily Express and the Daily Mirror—over "salacious gossip," according to Al Jazeera. Maybe the couple, who've recently moved to Los Angeles with their baby Archie will finally get some closure and begin a more relaxed and healthier life.
References:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52354898
https://www.heart.co.uk/news/royals/meghan-markle/inside-relationship-with-father-thomas-markle/
