Meghan Markle's dad insists he 'doesn't want pity' as he reflects on family feud

Meghan Markle’s dad says he does not want his feud with his daughter to define his life as he insists he “doesn’t want pity”.

Thomas Markle - who turns 80 next month - has opened up about his estrangement from the Sussexes, confessing that he is not expecting to receive any birthday wishes from the couple. The retired Hollywood lighting director also described how he felt "vulnerable" when the drama started with Harry and Meghan and slammed the duo for accusing the Royal Family of racism, which he said was "far worse" than his own 'mistakes".

Thomas famously fell out with his daughter following his paparazzi scandal and absence from her wedding in 2018. The duo have not had contact over the last six years and Thomas has never met his grandchildren 5-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet, nor Prince Harry.

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Speaking to Daily Mail, Thomas compared his own misdemeanours to that of his daughter and son-in-law. He said: "When you look at what Harry and Meghan have done since, like accusing the Royal Family of racism, it’s far worse than anything I’ve done. I don’t want pity and I don’t want this episode to define my life. I don’t want to be a footnote in history."

Thomas described how he has "had a good life and I am proud of what I've accomplished", adding that "everything has been overshadowed by what has happened in the last six years."

Despite not wanting sympathy, Thomas went on to describe how he was "vulnerable" when all the drama began with Harry and Meghan. He famously missed giving Meghan away at her wedding after he suffered two heart attacks prior to the nuptials, meaning that Charles ended up walking her down the aisle in his place.

He said: "When the drama started with Meghan and Harry I was already well into my 70s and, while I did not realise it at the time, I was vulnerable."

Meghan previously opened up about her broken relationship with her dad during her bombshell 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. "I grieve a lot," she said. She added: "I mean, I've lost my father.”

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