Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has spoken out publicly after his daughter made the decision to change her last name. The change, which occurred after Meghan married Prince Harry in 2018 and became the Duchess of Sussex, has sparked a great deal of media attention, especially from Thomas, who has had a strained relationship with his daughter in recent years.
In a recent interview, Thomas Markle expressed his feelings about Meghan’s decision to drop the “Markle” from her name and instead go by “Meghan,” after stepping away from royal duties and the public eye. He has been outspoken in his criticism of both Meghan and Prince Harry’s departure from the royal family, as well as their choices since that time, and this new development has only intensified his frustration. He voiced his disappointment that Meghan had made the decision to distance herself from the Markle name, which he believes is an important part of her identity.
According to Thomas, Meghan’s decision to remove her last name is a form of denial of her roots and heritage. He insists that the Markle name has been part of her identity for years and is something that should not be easily discarded. “It’s not just about a name, it’s about the legacy and family she comes from,” he said, adding that he feels hurt by the decision. In his view, changing her last name signals a disconnection from the family, especially when considering their shared history and the close bond they once had. Thomas believes that Meghan should have retained the Markle name as a tribute to her upbringing and family ties, rather than adopting a more distant and “royal” identity.
Thomas has made multiple public appearances in the past, often discussing his relationship with Meghan and his disappointment over their strained connection. He has repeatedly expressed his desire to reconcile with his daughter, though their relationship has been marked by controversy, including accusations of betrayal on both sides. Their public feud began after Thomas was caught staging paparazzi photos ahead of Meghan’s royal wedding, which led to a dramatic fallout. Despite efforts to rebuild their relationship, Meghan has remained distant, citing Thomas’s actions as part of the reason for their estrangement.
In the interview, Thomas also commented on Meghan and Harry’s ongoing efforts to build a life outside the royal spotlight, particularly their ventures in media and activism. He has criticized their decision to use their royal titles and visibility for personal gain, questioning their motives and sincerity in doing so. He argued that Meghan’s decision to drop her surname is another example of her trying to “reinvent” herself, something he believes she should not have done at the expense of family bonds and history.
Ultimately, Thomas Markle’s comments reflect a deep sense of hurt and disappointment over the choices Meghan has made. While Meghan’s supporters argue that she has every right to define her own identity and distance herself from her past, Thomas’s perspective highlights the ongoing pain and frustration he feels as he watches his daughter’s public journey unfold. Despite the ongoing tension, it remains unclear whether the father and daughter will ever reconcile or find common ground on their personal and public differences.
