Thomas Markle has once again spoken out about his daughter, Meghan Markle,

 this time taking issue with her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. 

The 80-year-old former Hollywood lighting director did not hold back in his criticism, claiming the Duchess of Sussex is anything but authentic in her latest project.

In a recent interview, Thomas accused Meghan of carefully planning and rehearsing her expressions to create a relatable image for the audience. 

“Unfortunately, Meghan has never been authentic,” he stated. “She has to think about everything. She’s not spontaneous. 

Everything she says is pre-planned and rehearsed. It makes me laugh because I know all her looks and expressions.”

Thomas, who worked in the television industry for decades, insisted that his experience in the field gives him insight into when someone is performing for the cameras. 

“I know when she’s faking it,” he continued. “She’s trying so hard to be perfect that she tenses up every time the camera is on her.”

Criticism of the Cooking Show Format

Drawing from his own industry background, Thomas also weighed in on Meghan’s approach to the series, particularly its cooking segments. He suggested that successful culinary hosts need to be passionate and relaxed, not overly polished. “Cooking shows are horrendously boring unless the presenter has a passion for it,” he said. “The best cooks are funny, they mess up, they are human. She just wants to be perfect. It’s sad because she’s trying so hard to stay in the limelight.”

Disputing Meghan’s Childhood Claims

Thomas also took issue with Meghan’s portrayal of her childhood in the series. The Duchess described herself as a “latchkey kid” who grew up on fast food and TV dinners, a statement her father strongly refuted. He insisted that he worked multiple jobs to provide a comfortable life for Meghan and that eating fast food was not the norm in their household. “We occasionally ate TV dinners, which family doesn’t?” he said. “But we would eat out at least three times a week and order in the rest of the time.”

According to Thomas, he made sure Meghan was well taken care of and involved in activities. “Like any single father who did a long day’s work, I’d occasionally put a TV dinner in the microwave,” he admitted. “But most of the time, we’d go out. After school, I would either pick her up myself and we’d go out to eat, or I’d send a car to bring her to the set. She grew up on the sets I worked on. She was never a latchkey kid.”

Disappointment Over the Name Change

Another point of contention for Thomas is Meghan’s decision to distance herself from the Markle surname. In With Love, Meghan, she explained to actress Mindy Kaling that she now uses “Sussex” as a shared family name with Prince Harry and their children. Thomas said this choice would have saddened his late mother. “My mother was proud to be a Markle – so am I,” he said. “Meghan never had a problem with the Markle name until she met Prince Harry.”

Expressing his frustration, he added, “Now, I have to say, ‘I am Meghan Sussex’s dad,’” with evident sarcasm.

The Strained Father-Daughter Relationship

Thomas admitted that he had not watched the full eight-episode series, only selected clips. “I might sit down and watch it one day, but I’m not sure,” he said, acknowledging that it was difficult for him.

His relationship with Meghan has been fractured since the eve of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Thomas claimed he suffered two heart attacks that prevented him from attending the ceremony in the U.K., and he believes Meghan has never forgiven him. “I still don’t know why she dumped me,” he lamented.

Meghan’s Perspective on Their Estrangement

In a highly publicized 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan spoke about her father’s involvement with the press, revealing that he had staged paparazzi photos before her wedding. She recalled confronting him about it, but he denied any wrongdoing. “We called my dad, and I asked him [about staging the photos],” she said. “He said, ‘No, absolutely not.’… I said, ‘I just need you to tell me, and if you tell me the truth, we can help,’ and he wasn’t able to do that.”

Thomas’ involvement with the media only deepened the rift between them, culminating in a legal battle over a private letter Meghan sent him after her wedding. In 2021, Meghan won a privacy case against a tabloid that had published excerpts from the letter, which she had written as a heartfelt plea to mend their relationship. The tabloid argued that Thomas had the right to respond publicly after her friends made claims about their estrangement.

A Family Divided

It is understood that Thomas has never met his two grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Following their exit from royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Prince Harry relocated to California, seeking privacy and a fresh start. Despite their move, their strained family ties continue to make headlines, with Thomas Markle making it clear that he still hopes for a reconciliation, though the chances appear slim.

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