Honestly with all the problems in most families, this is not even worth writing about. Bit I did read it. It was a break from all of the Trump Administration trash. I am grateful for that
38
Can't wait for this to be over!
17
Readers might be reminded of Princess Margaret, the queen's sister, who sought to marry an "unsuitable" partner, married a photographer, got divorced, and spent some time as tabloid fodder. Then, of course, were the stories about Princess Diana's family, very few flattering. And Princess Diana herself, a favorite tabloid target. So it doesn't just happen because Markle is American, and, apparently, has an odd family (don't we all?).
10
Someone please remind the world that she is mixed-race, not black, as if often reported.
7
Just because someone shares a couple strands of DNA with you does not obligate you to be their friend or to be conciliatory with them. I have a sibling who is an awful human being, and it appears Ms. Markle does as well.
40
Speaking as both a British and an American citizen - I stumbled on this article by accident and I am dismayed that the New York Times is even covering this event.
He's a minor royal (5th in line ?) she's a minor actress - why does anyone care ?
On NPR this morning I heard breathless anticipation of (among other things) the "all important first kiss" - what ?!?!
I'm darned sure they've kissed before, and it's not important to anyone (probably not even that important to the couple). Come on people.
I wish the young couple well.
Now can we just ignore it and get back to real news.
40
With all due respect, racism is a tired notion of the past. Whites are no longer interested in being custodian of blacks. The discredited race card trope excuse to continue scapegoating white people has ended. However, political correct censorship does not allow discussion of what normal rational people think, believe. Do you think naive Harry and Meghan have received genetic counseling? If not, what is this? If their (marriage?) is consummated, do they realize the consequences of their actions? Is it fair to bring children into the world who may not be valued as much as others? These are real world issues that warrant serious attention by thinking adults. Do you think this relevant issue receives the attention it deserves? If not, pretend not to notice..
6
In the hope that Ms. Markle’s half siblings are reading this, please notice who amongst you have no class. The royal family and the BRITs in general should have no cause for concern over Miss Markle’s “brown” heritage.
13
I understand completely why Ms. Markle's father let the states and moved to a quiet place in Mexico. I stopped interacting with most of my family years ago. Life has been peaceful ever since. Some people just never stop being unpleasant. They need constant, constant drama.
13
Not to mention the fact that some people are just sick of weddings. If you don't share the hysterical joy/anticipation of the bride and bridesmaids you are in for a miserable time, especially taking into account the expense -- new clothes, gifts, travel, etc. And God help you if the blushing bride has chosen a "destination wedding."
Someone called me up the other day who thought I had recently traveled to Sardinia (actually was Sicily). She was looking for tips for friend (CA resident) who has been invited to family wedding in SARDINIA! Frankly, I would just send a nice gift and forget about it, and I told my friend that. She agreed and said she would have done that too.
5
Why is Ms. Markle described as "dysfunctional" or different? Her mother, the press tells us, married a divorced man with two children who are considerably older than she. That happens all the time. Further, her mother singularly raised her and her father was noticeably absent. Sad? Yes. Unusual? No. So why the finger pointing? Let's wish Ms. Markle well and celebrate her new-found joy with a slice of apple pie and a glass of Pimms.
40
Meghan Markle: you have to hand it to her. She looks only more and more impressive given her family and their bizarre, shameless, toxic, and truly embarrassing reality show. Only it's not Meghan who should be embarrassed, because their antics only make her look better and better. Then there's Piers Morgan, the "newsman" who keeps cropping up of late, announcing both his disgust with the siblings and his "concern" over Meghan's pattern of ghosting old friends, including him. Still, he wishes her and Harry the best. Ugh! Go give with one hand and take away with another. Meghan has the right to pick and choose who's in her life and while abrupt cut offs may be unkind with regard to good friends, I can't see where Morgan ever fit into the category. Maybe she only ghosted those who were Ghostbusters! The poor woman has enough stress.
18
Ms Marke is all the more amazing when you consider where she came from.
26
Came from where? A private school in LA? Not exactly hardship. There’s 60,000 homeless in LA living in tents on the sidewalks.
11
She went to a Catholic school, which is yes technically private but which I personally don't think is quite the same thing as a " private school "(especially in terms of fees). I believe she also attended a local college before transferring to Northwestern as a junior
To be honest, many where I live think of Catholic schools as being at the bottom rung (except perhaps for discipline), even below public schools.
4
The Windsors have just as many if not more scandals, like the toe sucking Duchess of York, not to mention Prince Charles and his affair with Camilla while he was married, don't even have to google the Royal family to be aware of these, so big deal, Meghan Markle has some mean and jealous half siblings in her family, all we can do is sympathize with her, the Brits are such snobs it is laughable. She succeeded on her own, which already distinguishes her in a good way from so many upper class slouches that Prince Harry could have married, that should be the story.
34
Not to mention shameless Diana, who famously manipulated the tabloid press to further her rampage against the royal family.
1
This article is written like tabloid. It jumps between fact and fiction faster than Trump’s tweets. Honestly, just let these people be. Rather than speculating over celebrities like a bunch of teenage girls reading Cosmo, maybe the NYT should just wait and report on who shows up to the wedding when it happens. Hold yourselves to a higher standard.
18
Get used to it Harry, you're marrying into the dysfunction of a modern American family. This isn't the end, it's the beginning.
4
Given the royals' many negative experiences with the press (Harry in particular considering the role of the press pursuing his mother-- arguably to her death) the Markle family meltdown seems incredibly mismanaged.
I would have expected the royal family to anticipate the press seeking out the dregs of Markle's past. And it seems the tabloids didn't even have to work that hard to find the agrieved releatives! Clearly these people just want attention-- and a payday.
So, it surprises me the royals were not in front of this. NDA and a tidy trust to ensure good behavior. No guarantees of course (Hi, Ms. Daniels!) but it could certainly curtail this embarrassment.
35
How do I option “The Diary of the Princess of Pushy’s Sister.”? I want to put it next to my Snooki book.
3
Family can be sludge sometimes. That we all have to deal with.
4
Absolute silliness, but hilariously entertaining.
The royal family is a parody of itself and nothing more than a show for the UK.
Lol
Good luck!
7
Please, the royal family has not been around for 1,000 years. The House of Windsor (until WWI called Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) came to power only in 1901, after the death of Queen Victory (which belonged to the House of Hannover).
3
Thank you for this hilarious article! It is a welcome diversion during this dark and shameful period of American and Israeli history. The unsavory solicitations of the British tabloids seem to be amply rewarded by the obligingly bad behavior of certain step-siblings, but Meghan and her family should laugh off all this nonsense. It's really insignificant stuff compared to the serious dysfunction displayed in many other prominent families.
10
"and Israeli history" ???? What has that got to do with the price of eggs! Any opportunity to take a swing at Israel? I thought we were discussing the bad behavior of some tacky Americans who happen to be related to Meghan Markle, the bad behavior of the British tabloid press, and the incidents of bad behavior by the royal family! Oh, and somehow racism playing a role although many have pointed out it's only the white side of her family that's an embarrassment. Why not lump in the bad behavior of Hungary and Poland and their recent elections and governmental edicts. (Sit back, my friend...the Israelis and Jews will be the recipient of this of rampant hatred soon enough!) What in the world do any of the players discussed in this article have to do with Israel? Still scratching my head. By the way...these are her half-siblings and not step siblings: there is a huge difference between the two.
I think Ms Markle will be a poster child for all the things people don't like about Americans. I won't speculate on Harry other than to say he seems angry and disgruntled. Ms. Markle has flouted the "rules" which members of the royal family are supposed to follow. She didn't gave to sign up and then behave with petulance...she will give the Brits plenty of fodder for what's wrong with Americans without the involvement of her half-siblings. Are they Israeli?
4
And now, Sarah, you've added to the media circus. Thing is, it is mostly the media which is enthralled by ' the royal wedding'.
6
The upcoming non-event of the marriage between Prince Harry and some American “actress” shows the Royal Family, like many a commoner, has failed to learn from past mistakes. After the abdication of Edward VIII--an event caused by his marriage to an American ‘ne'er-do-well’ socialite—one would have thought the Windsor’s would have warned their offspring against fraternizing with colonists from the moment they were born. It is no surprise that Markle has a money grubbing and possibly criminal family, that is after all the reality of contemporary America. Thankfully the odds of him becoming King are close to zero although it would be interesting to see what progressives, who as a group are generally opposed to the Royal family, would act if Harry and Markle have obviously mixed-race children. One suspects they would do a 180 in the hopes that a person of color might one day become king or queen of England.
4
I do not care! I am more worried about how I will pay for health insurance.
21
Without even reading the article, this seems like a tabloid headline, and just anothet hook into private lives with a negative attitude. All I've overheard in a news headline regarding Ms.Markle's father, is that he suffered a heart attack and must have surgery. If he were able to attend he would have plenty of people appointed by British and American people to temporarily make him over into the Fashionable Father she needs to have for her special day.. I'm sure she would rather he stay healthy than postpone surgery for this event.
She is no stranger to publicity, and it is a good thing if they are going to keep going over every detail with a magnifying glass.
Leave the poor girl alone. Kate Middleton's relatives were considered tacky but all is well now. I was interested in Princess Diana, but these people cease to interest me unless they are doing the good work of charity for which they are well known. Those are the important things which the royal family does. Why not focus on their latest good deeds instead of this?
4
I really don't care that much but think miss Markle will class up the joint in merry 'ol England. Who among us wants to explain/defend our families?! The inane, 24-hr news cycle demands red meat. If you want real comedy now, you have to turn to the late night comedians, the rest is just click bait.
7
There is an expression -
'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.'
Not that her family is her enemy but you get the idea.
When it looked like Meghan was getting serious with Harry, the PR machine should have started, if only for damage control. There should have been an effort for Meghan to reconcile or reestablish contact with the family if only to avoid some embarrassment if nothing else. Peace should have been made with the half-siblings and they would have been less likely to have acted in spite as the brother clearly did. But she instead excluded them from her second wedding, even if justified, and she helplessly watched them turn on her.
Meghan should have known a thing or 2 about PR since she was in the most superficial industry of all, acting. And Buckingham Palace definitely should have known, they must have a whole department of PR experts at the disposal.
A little bit of reconciliation can go a long way...
2
Good grief. Dig deeply enough and you'll find people on the wrong side of the law in royal families also. This area of the press can be so mean.
8
I found the staged photographs escapade quite touching. Ms. Markle, a self-made woman, was most certainly guided by her father, whom she says took her to the set of "Married with Children" when she was growing up. She is who she is, in part, due to those who brought her up.
Quite naturally, a man with heart trouble -- in ill health -- would find it daunting to put himself even more in the public eye. But I do, very much hope he makes it, because clearly, he played a strong role in who his daughter is today (in addition to her mother).
Princess Diana's father walked her down the aisle in feeble condition.
My heart goes out to Thomas Markle. The racism and classism practiced by the media is directed at a hardworking man who put his daughter through one of the finest universities in the country, who showed her the ropes in the business world -- he led her to become a success -- and he should lead her down the aisle on Saturday, his head held high.
18
Um, Mr Markle was not a farmer. He was a “ Hollywood Lighting Director”. To claim he is unaware of the ways of the media is silly. TMZs Harvey Levin made it clear that Mr Markle made his way to him. Not vice versa. And blaming the media for all of this is almost as ridiculous as the Royals blaming the paparazzi more for the death of Diana then her criminally intoxicated driver.
5
Yes, Meghan does have some very dicey relatives, but then, so does Harry. Who doesn't? It doesn't matter if you are black or white - a new immigrant or a Mayflower descended WASP, there are always those cousins or great aunts one fervently wishes would take a wrong turn on the way to the wedding. I can recall great aunt Cornelia for example, who never changed her style of dress from the time of Edward VII. Then there was cousin Hortense, an elderly lady prone to random and dramatic weeping fits regarding a lost love - always at the most inopportune times. What precisely this love was and where she lost it was never specified. For all I know it might have been a love of waffles. Regardless, elderly ladies wailing "gone, gone, love is gone," and shedding volumes of tears are always likely to have a restraining effect on the joie de vivre of any occasion. Really, Meghan's relatives could be so much worse.
10
Yes they are public figures but they are just two young people in love. One can’t choose one’s relatives. And, no one with this intense and relentless intrusions from the press can come out unscathed. Sad for Meghan that his father is not going to be there for her on her wedding day. However, It’s not who is going to give one away on one’s wedding day that determines the happiness of the marriage. it’s the love and respect shared. It’s going to be a wonderful day this Saturday and it’s going to be a fantastic wedding. Love will conquer all.
10
Here we have a couple trying to start a life together and their "country cousins" are intent on stealing the limelight and make a fast buck in a totally unashamed manner. I saw the interview of Megan's half sister by Piers Morgan and agree she is vile.
Henry the VIII got rid of troublesome wives. What would he do for troublesome relatives?
The good news is that all their tawdry activities reflects badly on them and not on Megan. I wonder if the UK could issue a travel ban on all her relatives?
13
I will never forget the sight of little Harry, walking behind his mother's coffin as millions around the globe watched on TV. Diana's public airing of her husband's infidelities and her cold treatment by the Windsors, and then the shocking circumstances of her death, are what forced the Queen to change gears and allow her grandsons to marry "commoners" for love, instead of marrying other "blue bloods" for duty. I was delighted for William and Kate when they married, and feel the same for Harry and Meghan. They are well suited; both have the gift of laughter, are passionate about their chosen causes, and take joy in helping others. I look forward to all the good that they will accomplish together. Diana's boys have come full circle at last...
Re: Meghan's family, I suspect we all have relatives with less-than-sterling characteristics. I hope her dad stays home to receive the medical care he needs, while her mom walks her down the aisle.
Harry and Meghan, may you still be laughing and hugging on your 50th wedding anniversary!
23
And don't forget that for her"public airing" of her husband's infidelities Diana used the British press -- actually she was a master manipulator and made liberal use of the tabloid press. She also schemed to snare Charles, too naive at 19 to realize he was committed to another w/parents and other adults around her either too lazy or too enthralled about marrying into the royal family to do anything about it, and realized shortly before her wedding she'd made a mistake but it was too late to do anyhing about it ("pictures already on the tea towels").
3
There's one in every family; several in mine.
12
Fabulous, hilarious piece. Always love your UK reporting. Thank you.
2
I’ve watched interviews of Ms. Markle and Prince Henry, and they are so simply and obviously in love. That’s all I need to know.
The story should be about their love, not about the drama the tabloids push.
Cheers to their marriage.
21
Congratulations to the beautiful couple. May they have a lovely, long , Peaceful life together.
15
Isn't this just Piers Morgan's revenge on Meghan Markle for her daring to distance herself from him? It's certainly a new low. Good for Mr. Markle for trying to control the awful narrative the Daily Mail has peddled, along with their printing of thinly veiled slams against her - everything from insinuating that she's a fortune hunter to trying to link her to ghettos (hint, hint, she's THAT kind of African American). The Brit tabloids, the Mail in particular, have been truly disgusting and it must haunt Harry to see them going after his fiance in the same way that they hounded his mother. Morgan needs to be put out to pasture.
11
We all love and get swept off our feet by fairy tales but soon learn that reality bites.
1
Its tough to be judged. Americans dont like that.
2
Mr Markle,
Please tell me, as the father of the bride your not paying for this wedding I hope.
You should go, it's your daughter.
Once in a lifetime
4
Would someone please send this woman a barrette? I am SICK of watching her fiddle with her hair.
13
I agree -- the hair flipping, like an American sorority girl -- is beyond annoying to me. Why do so many American women think this is attractive is beyond me. I guess the only thing that could be worse would be if she started nibbling on her split ends.
3
This past Christmas, Prince Harry remarked that Ms. Markle would spend the holidays with his family implying that this would be a welcome change for her – that her family was not close. At the time, he received a lot of criticism for his remarks. In light of the last few weeks and the behavior of some of the people in her father's family, his remarks seem fair and appropriate.
14
Wow.
And I thought we had serious problems in the Middle East. Mazal Tov to the happy couple and their family, functional, dysfunctional and everything in between.
9
I have never liked Meghan more. Like all of us, she has relatives she did not choose and I admire that she is moving forward with grace. God speed!
26
I, for one, am super psyched for the Markle Sparkle. Anything that smells exactly like what one might picture a blueberry would smell like has got to be amazing. #mindalreadyblown
12
If the hemp-based clothing idea doesn't work out for Ms. Dooley, I might suggest starting a middle-eastern bakery. As for a name, how about Royal PITA?
6
Gosh! I remember when Kate being a commoner and her parents owning a party business were fodder for the yellow press when Prince William was getting married. Let’s also not forget all the royal scandals of the 90s either, Fergie and Andy!?! Thank goodness Ms. Markle seems able to rise above all this nonsense, not only from her dysfunctional half siblings, but also the media.
25
It is a free country, but considering that this is Meghan's second marriage, maybe it would have been a little more appropriate to have had a slightly lower key wedding, as Charles had for his second wedding ceremony, to Camilla.
9
I have been watching "royal wedding" coverage on TV and seen reports on past royal weddings and wedding dresses, etc., which were the best, etc. I have to stay I thought Diana's dress one of the most trashy over the top things I ever laid eyes on and I don't know a single adult who at the time thought that match made any sense or would last.
In contrast, I thought Camilla's outfit was exquisite for her wedding,she looked fantastic and I and everyone I know felt this was a match that would last.
I have been hoping to see Meghan in something more akin to Camilla's attire than Diana's,but I seem to be in a minority, with people suggesting all sorts of dreamy over the top confections. Would love to see her in something grown up, tailored, not floor length, but still elegant, but I think it's a lost cause.
7
Wow, the White privilege is strong in this article. There's next to no mention of the OTHER half of Meghan's American family, the Black half. Maybe it's because we haven't heard much from them. Ms. Markle's mother's side of the family knows how to behave with decency and class. They aren't the kind of people who will exploit their family member for money and attention. Doria Ragland's family isn't so twisted with jealousy, hate and racism that they would do anything and say anything to hurt Meghan.
The best thing that ever happened to Megan happened the day her mother divorced Mr. Markle and took her away from the people who referred to Ms. Ragland as 'the help'. Ms. Ragland raised a daughter worthy of a prince. One only needs to take a look at Megan's half-siblings to see how good Mr. Markle's child-raising skills are.
I can't imagine the kind of father who would call TMZ before he calls his daughter to tell her that he might not walk her down the aisle. The best thing Mr. Markle can do is to stay home on Saturday, get some fast food and watch the wedding on tv like millions of other people. He can't be trusted not to shame his daughter in front of the world.
Megan would be wise to dump the toxic waste that is her father's family where it belongs. She'll still have plenty of American family.
31
I think TMZ has been courting him to the extent of taking advantageof him, and also, unfortunately, that the Kensington Palace press office did way too little to help him through this process and keep an eye on him.
4
what on Earth does this story have to do with"white privilege"? If anything, it's just the opposite.
5
I don't think this marriage will last...you can't have two crazy families.
7
I doubt the Markles are going to be invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham, Cookies.
As for the marriage itself, only two people know what really goes on in a marriage: the married couple. Whether this marriage is a success or not will depend upon the love and hard work of Prince Harry and Ms. Markle, and not whether her family can get it together enough to act normal for five minutes. As for Prince Harry's family, they've been acting better of late. The older generation isn't creating as many problems for themselves, and the younger generation seems to be, thus far anyway, more considerate, more polite, and more on the ball. Families, fair or foul, are not the only forces that press upon a marriage and determine whether it will last: the married couple is ultimately in charge of that.
4
The old trick -- write about the controversy ABOUT the controversy, because it might seem, say, petty or shallow to just to write about the controversy. Generally the American media is a cut above the British tabloid mentality, but not today, eh Gray Lady?
13
Every one of them eager to see Megan wed... and eager to put some cash in their pockets from it. Well I'm willing to wish her much love and happiness, for nothing. Good fortune and happiness for you both, you deserve it for what you have to put up with, from both the tabloids, with their concoctions, and the 'real press' with its 'human interest' stories. Almost makes one want to tell all the 'royals fanatics' please - "get a life!".
12
I hope her father goes and holds his head up high...The dirty British tabloids are just like Fox Noise spewing. Forget about the rest of the half this or that's....Just have Mum & Dad. No one can help who their relatives are.
13
The British royal family is not new to dysfunction. Aside from the obvious Henry VIII debacle, and other historical embarassments, there was all that Diana and Charles and Camilla stuff plus the Diana and Dodi connection. Poor Ms Markle, with her family ties, has no chance to avoid tabloid cannibalism from now on. This is proof that no matter how hard you work to shake off your uncouth origins or how tirelessly you try to climb out of the morass, your family will drag you back down every time.
11
A British reporter brought the half sister down in a classic media got ya when the half sister blamed the media for her father's actions. The reporter pointed out she had sold stories to the media and was getting publicity for the book she is writing which is evidently basically a nasty book. Yet she wonders why she did not get a invite gezz cannot understand that,
9
Sarah Lyall, sorry to have to stick up for the British media you're so clearly determined in classic pompous NYT style to paint as the villain here but your claim that 'Having lured the family into their trap, the tabloids are now adding to the abuse' simply doesn't stack up. What 'trap'? Mr Markle admits he was paid by a picture agency to pose for a string of contrived shots but he only did so after it was exposed by the Mail on Sunday. He's a former Hollywood lighting director who must know this is not how to behave. He has since kept changing his mind repeatedly about whether or not he is going, not - mind - communicating with Kensington Palace but with the showbiz site TMZ. Much of the rest of his family is milking their fame for all it's worth - they clearly don't need any encouragement from the press. Bite the bullet and place the blame for this circus where it deserves to go. And yes, I am British and, no, nobody in the UK is looking down at Meghan - even if her family is difficult to swallow.
13
ms. Markle should hold her head high and walk down the aisle alone meet her groom, but I suspect mr. Markle is already in London and the hospital hooplah a subterfuge to fool the tabloids. and the trolls who have tried to bait the Markle famly for 2 years.
I think Meghan Markel created an impression, most likely to gain sympathy from her future husband Prince Harry that she was mistreated by her family as a child. She's playing the Cinderella role to the hilt...
3
And you know this how, exactly? Through the observations her catty sister and smarmy jailbird brother have made to every tabloid? The blabberings of an ex-sister-in-law she hasn’t seen since the Clinton administration? The remarks of the pot-selling nephew?
I think Prince Harry is smart enough to know a con when he sees one, and I doubt that con is Ms. Markle. As for her family, well, look at them. They speak for themselves, and it isn’t good. No wonder Prince Harry made the remarks that he did at Christmas. Aside from Doria Ragland, who in their right mind would want to associate with these people?
6
I can hear it now behind closed doors: "She'll never be one of us."
6
"Ms. Markle is particularly vulnerable because she is American and of mixed race".
No she's not. A shoplifter will have his picture on first page of many British tabloids if he's a second generation cousin with Lady Di or with the Duchess of Cambridge.
4
There is something about Harry that I really like. Part of it is that he has the same name as Prince Hal and Hotspur. He seems to love danger and adventure, but there is a part of him that seems so vulnerable. This woman is as exciting as Lady Hotspur but she is not as kind, gentle and as nurturing as a Lady Hotspur. She is more of a Doll Tearsheet. Just from her body language you can tell that she will be nothing but trouble for this already troubled Prince.
11
You know her well, I take it?
13
The British press is toxic. There are no other words for it. They are true to form with the treatment of this wedding.
12
There seems to be a family that wants to and has lived off of Meghan Markles' success. And perhaps jealous of her success. With a half sister convincing the father to 'stage' the photos seems more like a reality show gone bad. Maybe they have watched too much of The Kardashians.
12
Sometimes you have to leave your family behind for your own happiness. I have felt sorry for her in seeing all of this ridiculous press from her family, but, hopefully, she has long realized how to deal with them. After all, none are invited to the wedding anyway. She knows what they are like, and is having none of it.
14
The half-brother is 15 years old than Meghan Markle and looks like his closest relative is the bottle. Best wishes to the young couple.
30
The current royal family, House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, certainly haven’t been around 1000 years, and are not related to Henry IIIV.
5
I believe Queen Elizabeth II is actually a great (many times great) grand niece of Henry VIII: https://www.britroyals.com/royaltree.asp
8
Henry VIII?
1
The Queen is a direct descendant of William the Conqueror, via different branches of the royal family. The name of the current royal house just represents the branch. She is related to Henry VIII, just not a direct descendent of that king. His direct line died with Elizabeth I.
7
Here’s a crazy idea: don’t cover the wedding.
Seriously, if people care that much about it, they can buy People Magazine. Don’t waste space on what is little more than a high society to-do, and one that literally has zero impact on our lives.
7
What??!! “Easily lends itself to class and race” which race? Meghan has been subjected to a barrage of embarrassing moments from her classless white relatives and only her white relatives - I can’t imagine being in her shoes. Noticeably absent are her black relatives, I can’t believe this is by accident. I imagine her mother calling her people and threatening, “I know where you live!” That letter her brother wrote in all of its grammatically incorrect and spelling error glory said everything about her shallow jealous sibling - quoting him, “who does that” and let’s not get started on that awful sister of hers. All of of us may have an embarrassing relative, or 2, or 3, lurking and waiting to get out at an upscale wedding or important event where you’re on pins and needles hoping and praying they won’t embarrass - but WOW, this is on an entirely different level. I would be drunk by now, crying, with hopefully my girlfriends talking me off of a palace ledge. Her father bowing out, heart attacks, bowing back in, waiting for a doctor’s note, is he getting on the plane? Lifetime is probably plotting another movie by now! my head would be swimming if it weren’t for the fact that we live in our own government reality show. It’s all just really embarrassing. I’ll take that pint now please.
219
I think that only a member of the royal family has any grasp of how to manage with the tabloid press. These publications generate scandals if they cannot find any real ones to satisfy a popular appetite for anything outrageous about the rich, famous, and powerful that takes them down a bit in appearance.
7
Aren’t Harry and Meghan the ones getting married? So the rest can bug off.
32
One need not go back far in the royal line to find family scandal. From Charles and Diana's messy divorce to, wait for it, the Queen's uncle, who abdicated to marry the woman he loved, a divorced "trashy" American woman and the crown went to Queen Elizabeth's father and then to her.
Without that family brouhaha this would not even be a story because Harry would not be 6th in line and depending on his great uncle's heirs, not a prince.
So all this silliness about Ms. Markle's family is only to fill a week's worth of fawning entertainment news, the juicier the better. Few families would come out perfectly in such a hot media glare with only weeks to prepare.
Both of them have been through a lot to find happiness and both have found a role in helping others. That should be the takeaway.
154
Actually, even if Edward VIII had been allowed to remain King after marrying Wallis Simpson, he died childless in 1972 and Elizabeth would have been next in line for the throne anyway, as her father had died in 1952. Even by 1947, the year Elizabeth married Philip, it probably would have become reasonably clear Edward wouldn't be having children, so they would have been preparing Elizabeth to inherit the throne at some point, whether from her uncle or her father (they had no way of knowing George VI would die so young in 1952), and ensuring she married someone royal enough to produce future monarchs.
3
Thanks, but the only third-world country I'm following right now is North Korea.
7
I feel a little bad for Mr. Markle, who seems like an unsophisticated older gentleman far from used to a spotlight of this nature. I suspect he may have been taken advantage of, both by the paparazzi and by his older daughter Samantha, who can’t seem to keep her mouth shut for a hill of beans. Aside from Doria Ragland and possibly Mr. Markle himself, the rest of the family just strikes me as a bunch of crass opportunists. For two people in their 50s, Meghan Markle’s half siblings seem profoundly boorish and obnoxious. Samantha Markle has apparently never met a British talk show she doesn’t like, and Thomas Markle Jr., in between bouts of getting arrested, apparently had time to pen a bratty letter to Prince Harry - but not, of course, before sharing it with the tabloid rag InTouch. Even his ex-wife and sons, for all their protestations that they’re the normal and polite members of this particularly dysfunctional family, aren’t above gabbing to the media while simultaneously promoting their marijuana business. I remember thinking that this crew was a few cards short of a full deck back in the fall when Samantha Markle tweeted a picture of the General Lee, the rampaging car from “The Dukes of Hazzard”, in a post implying that she and her brother were going to crash the wedding. Is it me, or has anyone else had enough of idiot Americans hogging the international stage?
It is my hope that, after this weekend, the only Markle we’ll hear from regularly will be Meghan herself.
23
There’s a reason royals usually marry royals or at least upper class people. They know how to act, they’re educated, they have few skeletons in the closet & they usually don’t perform in trashy ways like this. First time I’ve said this, but I feel sorry for the Queen. This is only the beginning with that family.
17
This is so sad. It’s mean spirited and wrong. I know there are many people,just like me,who shudder at the thought of what some our own wack job relatives would say about us. As the song says,leave these kids alone.
14
Lots of chatter about who will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle, since her father reportedly has an unexpected health issue. Ms. Markle doesn't need anyone to walk her down the aisle ! Come on folks! How old fashion is that custom? She is not being " given away". Meghan, walk yourself!
Set an example to women ( and men) worldwide.
32
Agreed, women don't need to be given away! At least in some countries, we aren't owned in the first place.
1
I like Meghan and I wish her and Prince Harry a happy and wonderful life, but holly molly her family is dysfunctional!!!!!
7
No wonder Prince Harry and Prince Willam dislike the British tabloids so much. Older half-siblings who have no relationship with Ms. Markle, a father with health problems that may have been exacerbated by the tabloids' obsession with finding unflattering gossip, an ex-wife glomming on to this story for her own commercial interests. A sad, tawdry tale spun by the vultures who hounded Diana.
20
I wish Dad and princess-to-be the best. It must be so stressful to walk in their shoes right now.
10
It's becoming abundantly clear why Meghan divorced most of her family. She appears to be a stable, generous, sensitive, and loving partner for Harry. Her interactions with the crowds is reminiscent of Diana. She gravitates to them and they to her. Now...you look at her estranged family members and the dysfunction is glaring. But, clearly her mother is a star! And she should walk Meghan down the aisle.
26
" ....British tabloids, which have a knack for generating controversies and stirring up class-based discord — and then claiming to be shocked, shocked that the controversies have taken place. "
Wow, only British news outlets generate controversies and class-based discord?
7
So Piers Morgan was writing about himself, then?......
11
That the father of the bridge and step siblings could do no better than to call attention to themselves in this tasteless fashion when it's supposed to be all about the bride tells who they are. It has Megan Markle look better not worse, which clearly is their intention. Who doesn't have an embarrassing moment with family at their wedding? Truly, it's part of the script it seems like. The joke is on the father, step-brother and step-sister ultimately. Meghan Markle can do no wrong in Harry's eyes it would seem, and she is going to have a life beyond that the scope of her family's imagination, as large in scope as their behavior is small and demeaning and a reflection on them. Meghan's mother has said nothing and knows what she is doing: being there for the most important day of her daughtr's life.
Also the British Press is out of hand, and off course and will be made to look foolish jockeying up and kissing the blarney the family is promoting as truth.
8
The latest bit about Markle's father is unfortunate but Markle herself has been relentless in promoting herself in magazines, tabloids, some news items. She is an actress and that's what actresses do: self promotion. She wants to be center of attention and now that she is, she is supposedly "devastated" when it turns against her. Also no maid of honor so there is no diversion of limelight away from her; she saw what happened with Pippa Middleton at her sister's wedding.
15
Elizabeth: Kate, William's wife is NOT an actress, but she was also plastered all over magazines and tabloids, and she still is. Jealous much?????
18
Some things never change. One would think after the soul searching and breast beating after Diana's death, the British tabloids would ease up. But alas, no. Not as long as there is money to be made. I wish Harry and Meghan well and am hopefully confident they possess the maturity and fortitude to rise above this modern blight.
14
God please,enough of this already! This is beginning to sound like the wedding and marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and the tragedy that ensued. The best thing out of that mess was Prince William and Prince Harry. Princess Diana would be very proud of her sons now. So please leave Prince William and Kate alone and let Prince Harry and Megan marry in peace. They deserve all the happiness in the world.
22
With Prince Charles, and his mistress, and all the stupidity of his behavior, and that of other royals, even Harry a number of times, I hardly think that anyone with brains is thinking that this is anymore abnormal, than, the nature of the human animal in most families. There is lots of childish, and bad behavior, instability, often in the parents, and in this case, on both sides, when the children have to go out as their own role models for themselves!
9
Why don't more people just get off of their devices, turn off social media, turn off television and live their lives? Mr. Markle should do what he wants to do and what his daughter, the bride not the other one, wants him to do. It is her day. It is her wedding. Shut off the news in all of its perverse forms, Mr. Markle. Follow your heart.
7
I never thought I would ever agree with Piers Morgan, but what he called Ms. Markles half sister was accurate; she is a vulture, albeit one with a smile. Common and commoner can have many faces, the Duchess of Cambridges’ family are commoners, and they have class, regardless of their station or lack thereof, The Markles don’t seem to have passed it down to the older children, who should know better. Ignore them, let the couple get married and have a happy life. God knows they both deserve it
12
We all have one or two ingrates, buffoons and/or fools in our families but mostly we are able to ignore them or contain them. It would seem that Meghan has a boatload of them--embarrassingly and unavoidably in the public.
Unfortunately, I read this article and there is no going back. Let's leave the poor people alone and enjoy Meghan's pomp and circumstance. It will be up to Meghan and Harry if they want to figure out a way to have a relationship with them.
10
Given the press's horrible part in Diana's death makes this all the more nauseating. If ever two wonderful young people, deserve a grace note, it Meghan and Harry.
Harry is the only Meghan "expert" needed.
19
Jealous lower class white family members viewing higher achieving siblings as getting "too big for their britches" and then being vocal about it with crass, deeply annoying statements. If the British want a lesson in American family/class dynamics, they just hit a very important one here.
Meghan will do what centuries of recipients of this behavior have done: tune them out and continue down the prosperous path they were on, not the slightest bit perturbed.
23
To paraphrase Mike Myers: I cannot stand two things; people disliked because of where they are from, and the British.
9
All meaningless. The only thing that is important is how husband and wife feel toward one another when they’re by themselves and away from the spot light.
14
Well, Hell's bells (to coin a phrase) the bridegroom's parents divorced as did his maternal grandparents. His mother died in a tragic accident. His mother's widowed husband married his divorced lady friend. That story more than one ups whatever Meghan's parents can come up with including their ethnicity.
21
I worked on a TV show at the same time as Tom Markle a few decades ago and to the best of my memory, there was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about this man. The problem lies with the notorious British tabloid press, which is hellbent on selling salacious stories to a voracious audience.
46
That the British tabloids are writing stories about Meghan Markle's family is a given. What else is there to cover? If every facet of her and her fiancé's life is of some interest to the reading public, then her family is going to get some attention. That's how it works.
5
British tabloids are a pack of wolves with absolutely no code of conduct, but as a Brit abroad, I see the royals on the front page of almost every supermarket checkout magazine rack here. As long as they reliably shift product, the media feeding frenzy is going to continue.
British tabloids are an enduring badge of shame for our nation, but I wish the US mass media would shed a little of their passivity and deference to power, and show a little more aggression and skepticism when covering domestic events and political leaders. We have our fawning courtiers, but then do do you, and they work for CNN, NBC, ABC and CBS.
6
Tabloids are manic for a scoop. These are the same organisations who hacked voicemails of a murdered teenager and others and paid Police for leaks/background in their pursuit to get a story, and will walk over anyone to get that.
Oh, and one thing to bear in mind: the Times had a story a week or so back about the Royals freezing out the press from the wedding, and Harry & William in particular have an antipathy against media interest, for obvious reasons. Tabloids are vindictive - anyone asking questions about their content may find a reporter or photographer sniffing around their home (and it has happened). If Harry & co deny them official coverage, then they’re happy to target people close to the couple in return while hoping the monarchy grants them access, interviews and quotes to try and moderate/control the coverage. Ms Markle’s extended family make for an easy target and I think (emphasis on ‘I think’ - I may be mistaken) the First Amendment laws in the US may make this ‘targeting’ easier while we have a few laws against media harassment. But again, I’m slightly uncertain of the legal factors so will happily be corrected.
3
Did any of these johnny come lately relatives attend her first wedding? Did her father walk her down the aisle at her first wedding? The answer is no. So why are they clamoring for a place in Ms. Markle's life at this late stage in her life. I notice that her African American family have not said one thing about Meghan and Harry. They are not complaining about her not inviting them to the wedding. They have kept silent with the exception of releasing a few photos. They were the one's who raised her but the focus is on the highly dysfunctional Markles. Just think if her African American family acted this way...the Press would not be so forgiving.
42
I have missed Sarah Lyall’s dispatches from Old Blighty. Thank you for bringing her back. She nails the Brits as no one else can!
6
What is the big deal? Dad was most likely asked to pose - the palace should have a divided him. I think it was rather sweet! He should definitely participate and give away his daughter - wish my dad would have given his blessing! Get a life everyone!
2
The UK people certainly have their unique interests. Mr. Markle must wonder why all those people do not go out and get real lives, and mind their own business. Like the example he is setting.
9
Can’t we just be happy for people! So what... she’s got a less than ideal family situation. Sounds normal to me actually. Most would say she’s come a long way, which should be commended. Royal marriage or not. This is just the bonus! Let’s celebrate that!
5
If the Royal family cares about the Merkle family, they would expense a PR firm to handle the the ravinous UK tabloids who make the National Enquire look well fed kittens.
6
Since they have a hard time even protecting themselves from the British tabloids, I doubt it's their fault......
5
Once upon a time, even the British tabloids were true newspapers – interested in real news. Then someone called Rupert Murdoch brought THE SUN newspaper and made it the perversion it is now. The other tabloids followed suit into the sewers and we are where we are.
Thank God, this didn’t happen to the Americans.
13
No. We have Fox News and TMZ.
14
Sorry , I know. This was British irony.
3
How exactly can someone be considered an expert on your life, if they haven't even spoken to you in 20 years? I'm about the same age as Ms. Markle, and I can barely recognize myself from 20 years ago when I was just a 15 year old kid. These people weren't invited to the wedding, which they claim they understand, but are willing to take what is likely an all-expenses-paid trip to talk about an estranged relative. They probably know as much about Markle these days is anybody who reads tabloids and follow celebrities on social media.
As somebody with dysfunctional, estranged relatives, I sympathize with Ms. Markle. I was fortunate enough to be able to have a small private ceremony in my backyard with only close friends and family in attendance. I did not invite 'Mommie Dearest' or my siblings. We can't pick our family, but that doesn't mean we have to put up with their crap our entire lives.
66
Ah the British, dissecting the family relations of anyone and everyone. Not that we should expect more from a country where the vast majority of people are "commoners" under their class system, and don't even acknowledge it is derisive.
15
She is much younger than her half siblings, and she was estranged from her all of them, including her father, the meanness they've shown towards her, so far, has to be the reason why she was estranged from them.
43
Looks as though Mr. Markle has been "Trumped". No one is safe from the predations of the press, "mainstream" or otherwise. Sorry, Mr. Markle.
When I first heard of Mr. Markle's difficulties I thought, "well, no better person to help Meghan than Harry -- who was embarrassed by his parents many, many times." Remember their tour to South Korea? Eeewf - a disaster.
Meghan's stepbrother/sister seem like hurt and jealous people - I wish the media would quit paying attention to them; they are detracting from what should be a very happy week for Meghan and Harry.
24
This is one of the predictable downsides of marrying into the royal family, and becoming fodder for the poisonous idiocy of portions of the British newspaper industry.
Her poise and intelligence in the BBC engagement interview with Prince Harry actually made her seem the more naturally self-assured (is that a synonym for 'royal'?) of the two. She said then that she simply refused to read the gossip press in Britain at times, and I hope she sticks to that decision. I wish the two of them well, simply as human beings. From what I've seen, the British royal family is lucky to have her.
35
Oh I am so looking forward to pointedly ignoring the telly this weekend.
Vive la republique.
8
I wish Prince Harry and Ms. Markle well as I do every couple who is planning to join each other in matrimony.
What is being chatted about here is the wedding and not the marriage- two different things and my point is that I am hopeful that they have figured that out and have made the decision to start a marriage regardless of the pomp and circumstance.
15
What is the difference in the fact that the tabloids have exploited this family to embarrass the lovely Ms. Markle , and the opportunity for me to read it all here in the New York times. I would never had read it otherwise.
8
While I wish them well, this marriage won't last! Five years, tops!
12
And if the British Royal Family are any paragons of virtue.
Prince Charles was hopping into bed with Camilla while married to Diana.
Prince Andrew's wife, Sarah Ferguson had an affair with someone who liked to lick her toes.
Princess Anne is divorced from her now thrice married scamp around town, Captain Mark Phillips.
Of The Queen's four children, only Prince Edward has had a happy marriage with his wife, Sophie.
27
I don't know anything about Meghan Markle's family, but doubt that the people writing the sensational stuff for the tabloids do either.
Prince Harry's mother was hounded to her death by relentless attention from the photographers and reports of the tabloids. Is it too much to expect them to leave her son and her son's fiancée alone?
One wonders if the people writing for these scandal sheets have any sense at all of right and wrong.
31
The author of this article did an excellent job. It is informative and funny, especially when describing the family members. The pot selling members said they are the nice ones. Meghan's half brother got locked up and he called her jaded. Meghan and her dear mom seems to be the only normal ones. Good luck Harry and Meghan.
19
I don’t understand—her dad brought this on himself when he sought to capitalize on his own daughter’s wedding (which is really lower than low). In what way is he a victim?
Her step siblings are just pathetic and nobody cares about them. Have to agree with Piers Morgan about them.
10
From this article, it seems like he was duped into believing that he was embarrassing his daughter and sought to change the image that was being put out there. As this article states, there is no evidence he was paid anything so he is not exploiting his daughter financials. He is a diehard recluse, so it wasn't for the fame or notoriety. As this piece states, he is not schooled in the ways of the British tabloid press. So he was opened to be victimized. Personally, if I were Harry, I'd have alert him (or have Meghan do it) so that he wasn't vulnerable to their exploitation. Her mother seems to be handling it better but I'm sure he change in job was prompted by the paparazzi disrupting her workplace.
9
And the person who was duping him was his other daughter Samantha, the half-sister who's been making herself available to anyone claiming to be a reporter. I would also bet that there was, in fact, money involved and that she's the one counting it.
(I notice that after years of using the surname Grant, this week she's reverted to Markle. Wonder why? She's also dyed her hair a darker color and is applying bronzer. [One commenter on another site likened her to Rachel Dolezal.]) I half-expect to see her show up at Windsor on Saturday to try to crash the wedding.
3
We have met the Markles....and they are us.
29
Who cares, if or if not, Ms. Markle marries her Prince "Harry". The world will not stop turning and all the little girls can dream that everything is possible, even marrying a prince.
4
Well, you and anyone who agrees with you seem to care. Not to put too fine a pt. on it but who reads then takes the extra step of commenting on something they don't care about? Seriously, who?
7
The New York Times should report on matters that actually affect people — and leave the British royalty chatter to the experts at People magazine. :)
21
Leave her alone already
15
I appreciate how tempting it would be to take advantage of any semblance of proximity to the British royal family for these struggling individuals. What I really detest and despise is the frenzied appetite of the Brits for such utter garbage these tabloids churn out everyday! I would be deeply ashamed of if I were a Brit. It's like the whole British society is rotting away! Nauseating!
11
Well, what about all the Americans who lap up whatever is fed to them by a certain television network infamous for blatant misstatements, poisonous insinuations, and inflammatory opinion pieces presented as news?
9
Making a living as a tabloid "reporter" or as Piers Morgan just seems so ... demeaning. Always on the lookout for the worst in other people, always ready to peddle self-righteous claptrap for lower middle class consumption....
11
Royalty Reality a new show! Hahahaha we knew it would be like this. Harry dressed up as Hitler for Halloween years ago. Judgment lapse? More to come.
3
Goodness - if the tabloids are looking for intrigue then look no further than the fact that Kensington Palace reached out to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (of the Episcopal Church, which is the American branch of the Anglican Church) to give the sermon at Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has shown total disregard for the Episcopal Church ever since the Americans started ordaining women and LGBT folk. The enmity is almost funny.
So why did the Queen do it? An olive branch to the Americans?
2
The Anglican Church has been ordaining women for a long time. Why would they object to episcopalians doing it?
3
Is it possible the father has dementia or something and is being manipulated by one or more of the children? Earlier today it was announced he'd changed his mind and was going to the wedding. Then a half hour or so ago it was reported he can't go because he's having heart surgery tomorrow (Wednesday) morning! It almost sounds like this is being manipulated (in a rather inexpert way) -- whether to make the Markle family the center of attention, to ruin the wedding, create publicity and bump up sales of the half sister's book, I don't know, but it sure is weird and odd sounding.
9
As with all newlyweds, I wish them well, but I remain puzzled as to why anyone really cares about this wedding. Didn't we fight a war to separate our country from the British monarchy?
5
Another person who reads the article then comments about who cares. You do. Otherwise, why read then comment? The British royals are part of the publicity machine for tourism to the UK. Otherwise, why even visit? Unless, you are a true Anglophile and like the culture (nothing wrong with that) then most people probably know little beyond that particular family.
6
Wonderfully written, Ms. Lyall. Just the right amount of dripping sarcasm. Well done!
8
The half-siblings are just jealous mean-spirited siblings - which true siblings make such mockery out of themselves - and their FATHER? I don't blame the father for doing a publicity photoshoot, but that I feel the siblings knew it was wrong and put him up for to it. Jealous siblings are the worst enemies in the world - speaking of experience.
I hope the father changes his mind and walks her daughter down the aisle. I hope he moves to UK and lives a more comfortable life. I hope the siblings are banned from UK.
8
Should I be alarmed or embarrassed that I don't care about any of it?
6
Neither... just be grateful you don't.
1
Forgive me, but this so small family, "there's just six of us," appear Dickensian as they present themselves to Royal wedding devotees. My best wishes to Miss Markle and to Prince Harry for happiness in their union.
13
The British love tabloid gossip and the pomp and circumstance of the Royal Family.
Ms Markle and Harry have always struck me as two young people who are very much in love with each other.
I wish them all the best and hope they have a beautiful wedding
I
13
I love Harry for loving Meghan - even though her family is messy and completely out of her control.
When the nicest among them are pot dealers that is really saying something.
24
Whatever the outcome, I bet that the Kardashians are wicked jealous of MM. She makes them look like the cheap trollops that they are.
51
All the investigative and funding resources in the world to vet your fiancé, and still only to focus on your partner? They are already living Happily Whatever After!
5
There's nothing new here. All the recent British Royal brides (Diana, Fergie, and Kate Middleton) have had crazy and/or scandal ridden relatives coming out of the woodwork.
And here in America, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy had to be walked down the aisle by her stepfather because her father was too drunk to do the honors. And Jackie's aunt and first cousin (Little and Big Edie) were so off the wall eccentric they starred in one of the first reality shows, the film Grey Gardens.
52
Why is the New York Times covering the trash tabloid coverage, adding to their coffers and lessening your/our own standards?
a subscriber who expects better of NYT.
11
It's being covered because it's news.
6
the estranged father of a divorced bride about to marry a Prince is news? why? how?
There are crazy annoying embarrassing people in every family. I feel bad for Meghan.
24
I wonder if the British bookies have yet taken bets or odds on how long this royal marriage will last? I give it 4 years.
7
Aside from King Henry VIII, the British tabloids --did King Henry have to put up with the "tabloids? -- last great Royal paper seller was Diana. Boy did they have a great time.
The Markle family provide just another opportunity to sell papers. No more no less.
2
And some of us wondered how Brexit could happen !!
6
Megan Markle really is Cinderella getting rescued from a horrid family or Elizabeth Bennett
Love her more for her grace
13
May Harry and Meghan have a beautiful wedding and long, happy lives together.
May they somehow manage to ignore US and British media and yes--their families when necessary--and fully enjoy each other's company.
May the New York Times apologize for Tanya Gold's snarky and ridiculous op-ed.
Let's all just enjoy the wedding and wish them the very best.
12
What is she set up her father to eliminate his embarrassing and unwanted presence at the wedding (or any future event)? Clearly she would rather not have anything to do with him or most of her family.
4
Is anyone else as bored as I am with celebrity?
21
Can't these two crazy kids just get married in peace?
I hope, despite all, they have a lovely day ... and more importantly, a long and wonderful marriage.
May it last -- hint look at William and Kate ... follow their lead ...
I think they're in it for the right reasons, and the long haul.
8
His daughter should give him a break. She is no angel. Already down the aisle twice and statistic wise it won’t last when you have been divorced.
5
Your a Sunshine
14
You don’t know that she isn’t going to “give him a break”. As for your comment about her previous marriage, we are long past the era when divorce was concerned something sinful or shameful. Speaking of that first husband, she was married to him for less than two years and he’s apparently now creating a TV show based on their marriage. Doesn’t sound like the classiest of guys, if you ask me.
6
A story I read reported that both Meghan’s parents worked hard, even after divorce, to give her a secure, happy, loved upbringing.
She reflects that love and confidence, and in her charity work, appears to give back the love she received growing up.
Credit to both parents and, really, who cares what the trashy Brit tabloids say?
26
What relentless glare? The paternal side of Meghan's family has sought media attention with constant public appeals to and putdowns of Meghan, open letters to Prince Harry, and now poor suffering Dad being "exploited" by the media and ping-ponging about whether he will participate in the wedding. If I were Meghan, I would have adopted an "I don't know any of them" stance about that entire side of the family, yes, including her father. She and Harry should get married now in a civil ceremony because the roach-like relatives are hell bent on destroying the wedding and who knows what they will do, especially the half-sister. I hope Meghan has 24/7 personal security (and I don't mean Harry) - I am not joking.
10
I feel sad that they don’t have the option to just elope and not deal with this nonsense.
5
They do have that option.
2
I give it a year or two. No way this marriage lasts.
8
Does this dribble really fall under "All the News That's Fit to Print"? First I've read about Ms. Markle's background and I hope the last.
One has to wonder if Trump fixer Michael Cohen is paying off these relatives to retaliate against the Windsors who have wisely chosen to stay dissociated from Trump. Doesn't all this media exploitation and falseness remind one of the extended Trump family?
2
Am I really the only one who could not care less about this stupid wedding, and wish the news would focus on real issues instead of invented fairy tales?
5
No one - whether from royalty, showbiz, Forbes 500, or the masses in general - should ever be forced or wrongly shamed to invite anyone toxic to their own wedding!
Only family members who unconditionally love & respect you as the fellow independent, resilient, learned-and-earned-from-life adult you have become (ex. the single mom who raised you to be a graciously adaptive human being, despite the systemic racism, drama-prone ex-husband & stepkids, etc. hovering around) - plus your real friends (aka families of mutual choice, not by accident of biological markers!) and select professional/social mentors/colleagues/contacts (those who have helped/continue to help/will help the couple's careers, causes, etc. in mutually beneficial ways) should be welcome to the well-meant founding of any new marital family unit.
Toxic elements need to stay away. They may be forgiven 70 times 70 from afar, w/ all of us praying they'll understand & mature soon enough to be decent human beings at their own pace.
However, you're not legally nor morally obliged to let toxic family members unrepentantly make your major life milestones patently uncomfortable.
God bless Harry and Meghan on their upcoming marital life ahead!
16
Looks like there were a lot of good reasons that Ms Markle struck out on her own and left this toxic lot to make a positive life for herself. She is not responsible for the choices of sour half siblings or a wayward father.
530
This is why I don't go home for Thanksgiving.
79
Harry and Meghan are a nice, normal couple who are marrying for all the right reasons. Unfortunately he holds the keys to the kingdom quite literally, being part of one of the richest, most influential families in history. Not an easy position to be in. They will face a cynical tabloid press and the jealousies of friends and family. Fortunately the royals are quite good at protecting their own. If they stay quiet, focus on themselves and ignore all the fame seekers they'll be fine.
Her mom should be so proud that Meghan found such a lovely partner. Good luck to them.
33
No one can choose their family.
At most this reveals that Markle's immediate family was not told strongly enough to stay away from ALL efforts by the media to contact them. If they had done that, it would have been better for all.
12
What's so funny about this "drama" if you want to call it that (because I can't understand the real issue with staged photos) is how the British press tried to insinuate Markle would be lowering the class of the royal family or lack real marriageability because she's half-black.
But the irony is all the drama is coming from her father's side.
61
Queen, meet trailer park. How the mighty have fallen.
12
What was that supposed to mean?
4
Royal fiancées--they're just like us!
9
Sorry, but it's hard to feel sorry for Meghan. When she said yes to marrying Prince Harry, she said goodbye to her private life. You can't marry a prince and expect life as usual. That's part of the deal; when you marry a royal, the paparazzi are part of the package.
67
You forgot the "Harrumph!" and hair toss. lol.
38
She seems fine with it, it's her family that has the adjustment. Since many were estranged from another marriage, it was a media onslaught out of nowhere.
13
The paparazzi may be part of the deal, but having your bitter, narcissistic, attention-seeking, few-bricks-short-of-a-full-load relatives smear you publicly as they simultaneously grasp the coattails of your good fortune is not.
We all have a relative or two we’d rather not associate with, and Ms. Markle apparently has several. It’s probably for the best that these people weren’t invited to the wedding. If they can’t handle themselves on Twitter or British talk shows, it isn’t to be expected that they can act decently in front of Her Majesty the Queen.
38
Every single European royalty attending that wedding hopefully realize that all of them, every single one, is a fake.
9
i feel sorry for her.... in what should be one of the highlights of her life, she's having to deal with a sister and distant relatives she hasn't had contact with in years, all selling her out and cashing in... and now her father gets roped into something he wants nothing to do with.
at least her mother appears to be able to hang back..
and this is only the beginning of what she's going to be subjected to.
13
Uh, ohhhhh. Please tell me there is not another "accidental" car crash in the near future..... These Brits have standards. I would get a food taster/tester immediately.
7
And steer clear of both Princess Micheal of Kent and Princess Anne, especially at fowl shooting outings at Sandringham.
7
If the Brits had standards, they wouldn't be reading the Daily Mail.
8
I assure you the Brits with standards look on the Mail with the same amount of polite, silent scorn as we do everything else.
7
This whole debacle is like an episode of the 'Beverly Hillbillies 2018'.
8
Jed was plain-spoken and had common sense, can't say that for Papa Markle.
4
Over 200 years ago, we fought a war so that we wouldn't have to bow and scrape before a group of people simply because of their pedigrees. I am appalled that there are so many Americans who are so entranced by a wedding of royalty. A big fat WHO CARES.
10
Ka, relax. Most of our fellow citizens would have no idea who Meghan Markle is or which of the European princelings Harry might be, and even most of those who do know don’t care a lot — if at all— about their family doings. It’s only the urban “sophisticates” with too much time on their hands and too little to do with it who are kept in thrall by such goings on.... A sort of asexual voyeurism...
5
I would submit that both you and ka care. Otherwise, why even read this story much less bother commenting on it. You care and you care a lot.
2
Trivial as the Megan ~ Harry extended family wedding brouhaha is in terms of real importance on the world stage I must admit I'm looking forward to coverage of the royal wedding as a much needed bromide to cover my misery from following the fall-out from Trump's incompetence on the world stage unfolding daily.
33
Why is this nonsense reported as "news"?
5
Because "inquiring minds want to know"!
8
Finally, someone asking the right question! Kudos to you, VH...
2
I hate myself for even reading this article, let alone commenting.
Anyway, here goes.
Sure hope the bride's father gets to the wedding.
Shame on this article for putting up that lousy picture of a step brother. Haven't we all taken pics that should never see the light of day?
At least the Markles haven't used our government for their own gain, hidden their taxes from the public, grabbing women's genitals with one hand, the other on the nuclear button, had a father made famous as a bigoted, tight fisted slum landlord (Woody Guthrie, "Old Man Trump" for just a few gems from the Trumps.
And recall the British royalty with their scandals.
So Dad, get over to that wedding.
25
"so easily lends itself to shallow stereotypes about class and race in the United States."
This statement is factually untrue, unless the writer is referring to shallow stereotypes about white racism towards blacks (the white press and the entitled white family members attacking Meghan). Her black family members have behave admirably and have none of the criminal backgrounds to which you refer. Unfortunately, this statement implies that the simple characteristic of African American heritage is somehow on par with being white, low class, having a criminal backgrond and trashing a family member publicly, which is, frankly, insulting.
15
Two competent, composed, fulfilled black women in charge of their lives, giving it their all. Two rather forlorn, inhibited white men. Such an interesting juxtaposition.
18
Capitulating to the naysayers is pathetic. People are pathetic, so who cares what evil thoughts they think?
3
Right on cue- the Ugly classless american shows up. Here's a clue folks...itr's not about you...As for Piers Morgan...does he still have a career?
13
The way the Dailymail has treated Meghan Markle and her family is a disgrace. However the New York Times then proceeds to go into similar gossipy detail about the various business endeavors of her ex sister in law and nephews. I would expect to read this type of coverage in the Dailymail but not in then NYT. Pot.Kettle. Black.
11
for all those who are bashing Meghan's family, please step back and look at Harry's.
His Dad was cheating on his mom, a full inquiry into the role of the Palace and the Driver is still not conclusive.
Harry is been subject to Romps, tabloid style misbehavior.
Kate has salacious photographs published in French media.
Price Philip was known for his racist and inappropriate comments to many leaders and folks.
His uncle Andrew was Randy Andy in the British Press.
I'm sure people reading this can add more..
10
Not to mention the dysfunction of the Spencers -- the family of Harry's mother Diana. Diana herself was ultimately determined to likely have had borderline personality disorder and, if not the Queen, then surely the Princess of manipulation via the tabloid press. Samantha Markle looks to have graduated summa cum laude from the Diana School of Using the Tabloid Press (and occasionally the BBC) to Better Yourself.
2
I swore I was not going to click on a royal family article but I am bored and it was the last article left:)
I do not get the American fascination with the royals. They are pretty boring compared to the Kardashians. No cleavage, no crazy husbands saying slavery was a choice, no step dads who become step mom...just hats. BORING!
If Meghan wants the press to stop hounding her then in all seriousness I suggest she break with tradition (that she was not raised with) and never wear a hat. That is all that the press seems interested in when it comes to royal women. Kind of like which shoes Melania wears.
3
It’s not the “American fascination,” Mr. Harrison. It’s the American media’s fascination. I believe we can rest assured that the Average American has a whole slew of other much more fascinating things to think about...
6
So all these people (like yourself) commenting just happen to accidentally read this article? And that's just the people who bothered commenting. I'm sure there were a number who just read/glanced through the article. Clearly, there is a certain amount of American fascination. Otherwise, why even put it on the site?
Uh, oh, what has Prince Harry gotten himself into?!?
5
Ms. Markle and Harry did not plan well. Why let the in-laws meet the week before the big world-famous wedding?!
There's nothing to be ashamed of here, except for the mean half-siblings--- they ought to be ashamed of themselves for throwing so much dirt on the girl.
Let them be happy. I wish them much success, and I hope the dad can get to UK, walk her down the aisle, and go back to his peaceful life in Mexico.
No big deal. Just drama. They had to create drama because of the poor girl's background.
It'll be okay!
6
This brouhaha reminds us that racism persists in the UK just as in many (most) other nations. In this instance, it is the 'spice' that adds readers/viewers of the ads surrounding the story of an otherwise not terribly remarkable wedding of the sixth in line to the UK throne.
Sixth in line is royal, but ... pretty far away from the center. Think: Princess Margaret was fourth (after Charles, Anne and Andrew). Then fifth, after Edward was born. And how much press did Edward catch during his brief stint at fourth?
4
I think it reflects well on Ms Markle (and her mother) that she was able to learn to conduct herself without the drama & outrageous behavior associated with her half-siblings. Of course that half-sister was involved in getting Mr Markle to stage photos. Does anyone still wonder why she has chosen to distance herself? I feel sorry for her.
14
Piers Morgan is odious and should cast no stones.
31
15 minutes up yet? The clock is ticking on her relatives so make hay while the sun shines. I feel sorry for her father who seems lost. Her 1/2 sister appears to have fallen on her sword to take the blame for the photos, but Dad is not being served well by his children. As for walking down the aisle, given her age and previous marriage I say go it alone, you need no one's permission to get married. You willingly give yourself.
192
Consider Meghan’s father’s reported new fear of “embarrassing the Royals” and then let’s recall: Prince Philip and his Nazi family ties, Charles cheating on Diana with Camilla, Harry and his Vegas romp, Pippa’s father in law accused of sex assault, Charles’ brother trying to influence pedal and Fergie...well too many examples to even list. Really Mr. Markle, pack a bag. You will fit in just fine.
27
Cal it off, Harry. She’s going to be nothing but trouble.
8
Harry's not marrying her estranged dad so the trouble would be minimal.
She has not been around him since she was a kid - from the looks of him, they would only have one or two visits left this lifetime anyway. lol.
Hardly a reason not to marry who you love.
4
From this remark should it be inferred that you've joined in the jeering?
2
Wonder if Harry is getting cold feet?
6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Zkb-zg4JCLk
Think she'll withstand the glare just fine...
She and H can do just like any other Americans - invite everyone over for Thanksgiving dinner, and argue things out...
He - and they - are lucky to have her...
H's down the line of succession - but perhaps their child can grow up to be Prime Minister...
7
It sounds like Markle's father's family are cashing in. I'm sure that this is causing her nothing but stress, which she doesn't need! The British tabloid press is notorious for stirring the pot. They have been making money off the public's obsession with the "royals" for a long time. We all wish Meghan and Harry happiness in their marriage. She doesn't need this nonsense from her grubby ex-half-sister-in-law et al.
8
Her poor father seems hardly to be representable. How life has it.
The British tabloids are even worse than American ones. As for Buckingham Palace being chagrined, they have a virtual army of press people to cover up their problems. Three of the Queens's four children have been divorced including the heir to the throne, which was public and messy. They were juicy fodder for years.
And now someone new enters the arena, also from a broken family and without the support of that army of PR reps. They could have sent someone to pave the way instead of letting it blow up. Many first families are estranged from the second family especially if they feel abandoned by the parent.
The good guy in all this is Harry. The only bad thing I can say is he's off the market. There go a lot of dreams.
11
I do wonder why they didn't at least prepare her father for the scrutiny. He clearly has made a pt. of being a recluse. This has to be a shock to the system. I agree with the assessment re: 1st vs. 2nd families.
The tabloids started it. But the Times repeated it. Shame on you. Let it rest.
(But then again, I read it...)
12
Unfortunate father not going but perhaps Obama can do the honors and help a fellow American out and keep this a Cinderella story; lets see the British Tabloids attack him.
4
Um, you do know the tabloids right? The pro-Brexit, immigrant-hating, identity-loathing, conservative, dog-whistle racist, tabloids? They’re like paper-Trumps with a British accent, they’d jump at any opportunity to attack Obama; “Barack trumps Dad!!!” would be the headline.
8
What's that they say? You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your relatives.
12
Let's challenge all of the tabloids - American and British - to focus on (dig up) the many scandals of the various British royals. The exploitation of Ms. Markle's family is despicable (although I give no quarter to her relatives who are trying to cash in on their familial 'relationship' with her).
6
The wedding belongs to Meghan and Harry.
Can't everyone including the Markle family and the press,
just leave the soon to be newlyweds alone?
4
Morgan, Daily Mail and DM online are not worth paying attention to.
10
Who cares?
I mean, what normal person would care?
The answer is that no normal persons cares.
8
Stay strong, Meghan!
12
This is Diana, all over again. Leave Markle's family alone, please.
3
The only difference between the obviously dysfunctional Markles and the Windsors is optics. The royals are just wealthy and have been bred to publicly dismiss their many, many scandals as beneath them.
158
What waste of time. Don't we all have better things to do?
1
I guess stalking and harassing the royal family is much easier than doing real investigative journalism. No doubt it's the dregs of the profession that are in this line of work.
Reminds me of my grandfather's sister. Never happy unless she was creating trouble and then inserting herself in the middle of it.
8
Meghan. Just remember this - this is not a reflection on you.
None of us have any control whatsoever who we are born to.
Hold your head high and think about Harry, not your family members and steps. This too shall pass!
12
"Piers Morgan, the television presenter, accused Ms. Markle’s family as having “already behaved like the worst kind of vile, dysfunctional, money-grabbing misfits......"
Pot meet Kettle: Piers Morgan could very well be describing himself.
25
Hmmm..was at the intent of this NY Times to not add to the tabloid tirade in the UK? If so...mission not accomplished. On the other hand there are nothing like big family events: weddings, births, divorces, deaths, to bring every crazy screw out of the woodwork. Best of luck to you Harry & Megan.
1
And this is all important because...?
1
Will his excellency the former President Obama offer his arm and walk Ms.Markle down the aisle? Give him a call Ms. Markle then drop that Mic.
5
Good Idea
Really, who cares? His mum was tabloided to death, his brother will be "king" and Harry & Megan will be...? Talk about something actually important in life.
His "mum" may have been"tabloided to death" but nobody was better than she was at using the tabloid press to further her own goals. She got away with it because she was the daughter of an earl.
5
They stalked her from Day One & she just learned how to turn it to her advantage at times, and even do some good (AIDS, land mines, etc.) until the photogs chased her car into the Paris tunnel. Didn't matter who her father was, she was tabloid fodder.
Having come from a dysfunctional family myself I say take the best and leave the worst. Congratulations Megan you have truly made lemonade from a batch of lemons! All the best on your upcoming wedding.
11
English tabloids are the trash of England, a country on the downside of fame and history for the past 100 years. Who cares about them?
5
Leave them alone. They are young, they are in love. Leave them alone.
10
Why oh why did the Times publish this twaddle. We don't need to be inundated with mischief like this. Please don't do this again.
4
Why is so much importance being given to a royal wedding. A legacy of a family that did nothing but steal from other countries.
6
While I'm certainly no expert, I've heard enough about various factions of the press to know you can't believe everything you read. That being said, my overall impression from statements made by Meghan Markle's estranged family is that they are jealous of her success. I hardly think it's fair to expect an invitation when there's been no relationship or communication for years at a time. She's the youngest of her half-siblings. Did they reach out to her when she was being raised by a single mother or did they become interested in renewing contact after Meghan made something of herself? Other than Meghan and her mother, the rest of the family comes across as petty, whiny and needy.
327
"so easily lends itself to shallow stereotypes about class and race in the United States."
This statement is highly problematic because NOTHING in all of these issues says a thing about race, but quite a bit about RACISM. Meghan Markle’s black family members have not been on the wrong side of the law, nor have they acted up and embarrassed her. There is nothing in her African American background that has caused her embarrassment and it is frankly insulting for you to lump her ethnic heritage together with her white family's bad behavior as if it were a burden. Very very poorly stated. It is her RACIST white siblings that have in the past called her racial slurs and referred to her mother as the maid. It is driven by their jealousy and their entitlement.
The particular cruelty of the press, led by the Daily Mail which showed pictures of cotton picking slaves to illustrate Meghan Markle's background, is the RACIST context. As a white journalist, you should take responsibility for this, not create some false equivalency between abominable behavior and her rich ethnic background. Shame on you.
773
THANK YOU for helping to educate readers and journalists on how insidious modern-day racism is.
49
This pending marriage only seems like a TV reality show; the difference is that so-called "reality" shows are scripted and no network would buy a show with a story line as implausible as this hands-across the sea wedding.
See the gorgeous, mixed-race, actress bride. Add her monumentally dysfunctional family that embarrasses the dickens out of her and the handsome groom's oh-so-stuffy royal family that nonetheless embraces the actress.
Who could make this up? Who would write a script this tacky and expect millions (billions?) of viewers to follow the wedding and its aftermath?
Will this save the monarchy? Perhaps, but the spectacle will be fun to watch now and in the years to come.
3
excellent call out- you are so right about this. I think it even warrants another article about these specific dynamics- including the willingness of the press to give air time to such blantant racism.
30
So far it appears to be the standard course for a wedding. Which is, of course, a bit of a disappointment as the world could all use a throughly joyful, unifying occasion in these devisive times. Let’s do what all families do at this point - get to the wedding and have a grand old time in a celebration of hope.
P.S. I’m betting they are going to do some amazing, much needed PR work for the greater good.
11
The tabloids have seemed to have forgetten that every family's dysfunction (and yes every family has some level of it) is what makes each one unique, interesting, and most of all, gasp!......normal.
20
The British may see a prince and a future princess but I just see two young people very obviously getting married because they enjoy each other's company very much.
I know the press, even the NYTimes, likes to hype the marriage and say that all Americans are transfixed by the royal family. We are not. It hasn't even come up in my conversations with anyone.
I only bothered to read this article because of the unpleasantness that Markle's family is being subjected to and to see if the British tabloids were using the opportunity to shine a light on our racial issues here in a taunting manner.
Stopping the tabloid press is impossible and from everything that I've read Markle has the wisdom to navigate the process which has played out many, many times with different people as the focus.
If she needs help on how to handle unfair tabloid "scandal mongering", at least she has on her arm a husband very much accustomed to it.
284
This pending marriage only seems like a TV reality show; the difference is that so-called "reality" shows are scripted and no network would buy a show with a story line as implausible as this hands-across the sea wedding.
See the gorgeous, mixed-race, actress bride. Add her monumentally dysfunctional family that embarrasses the dickens out of her and the handsome groom's oh-so-stuffy royal family that nonetheless embraces the actress.
Who could make this up? Who would write a script this tacky and expect millions (billions?) of viewers to follow the wedding and its aftermath?
Will this match humanize and save the monarchy? Perhaps, but the spectacle will be fun to watch now and in the years to come.
Like my mother used to say "You can choose your friends but not your relatives so choose your friends wisely."
92
I agree that the tabloid press has (as always) behaved abhorrently, but Meghan Markle's family members from her father's side of the family are just horrible people, especially her two half-siblings. Her half brother and sister have been trashing her in the press non-stop.
I feel very bad for her, it's terrible to have family members who don't want you to be happy.
82
Probably because they themselves are miserable!
7
Is fascinating to read that none other than Piers Morgan has described others as "money-grabbing misfits."
161
LOL! I love that Meghan Markle comes from a dysfunctional, kind of seedy, divorced family, the kind that Dr. Phil calls in for a sweeps week special. What could be more American? Meghan is all of us! People: we are about to infiltrate the royal family. I can't wait to watch it all play out. (Meghan should ask Honey Boo Boo to be a flower girl.)
39
Why is this even a story? The concepts of nobility and royalty are such utter nonsense. Why does anyone care if a prominent British man, whose most distinctive characteristic is having ancestors who were the most ruthless people of their time in history is marrying an American celebrity with a dysfunctional family background. Ohhh so scandalous. The whole thing is tawdry and meaningless.
24
Yeah, but you read it!
15
Downton Abbey aside, it is a pity to watch the infighting among the Brits over class distinction and privilege. The Founding Fathers distaste for the British caste system rightfully extended on many levels.
Of course, we now have our own "Dysfunctional Royal Family" in the White House.......
57
considering the royal family has had to put up with the spencers, fergie , and current farorite sophie’s greedy attempt to sell pr, this is nothing. not to mention in earlier time, that delightful princess michael, who only recently wore octoroon pin to meet meghan.
16
The difference between a historical Monarchy and a historical democracy. We don't care about your family history. We don't care what your parents or brothers and sisters do; only, what you yourself have done and said. That is part of our liberty and freedom to be responsible only for yourself and not your family.
28
I do not agree with that. If Chelsea Clinton were to run for office, she will get saddled with all things Clinton.
Jeb Bush got saddled with the Iraq war that his brother started.
And if Barron Trump were to run someday, he would be saddled with Donald.
5
But she is a product of celebrity who is gaining more celebrity by marrying an inherited monarch! What is that people like about this. It is a marriage of two people but the ugliest part of two very inequitable systems.
If they are temporarily in love, then they are entitled to that, but if you stand back a bit what these two represent is very ugly. A naive spoilt young man, the product of untold inherited wealth and status, is recruited by a ruthless and ambitious woman who has rejected the people who love her in order get ahead. Plutocrats both. Makes one wonder which system is uglier, inherited royalty class-ridden UK or a celebrity craved winner-take-all USA.
20
A 'spoilt young man " who fought in Afghanistan and lost his mother at a young age falls in love with a young woman with a passion for charity work. I think it will all work out and wish them much happiness.
66
Recruited by a ruthless woman? They met at a charity event in which they were both participating. Geez.
13
What in the world are you talking about?
15
Remember that the royal family couldn't have vetted Diana Spencer any more carefully, and yet the marriage still ended badly...
28
Actually, they needed the vet Prince Charles more thoroughly!
4
I thought the marriage ended because Charles was unfaithful.
1
The media never learn. They are the chief reason Prince Harry's mom is absent from this wedding. Now, they are the chief reason Prince harry's father-in-law will be absent from this wedding.
I hope they don't pursue Prince Harry's wife to her early death.
42
I don't believe I've been invited, so I won't be attending. Thanks anyway.
11
The old sage advice that, before marriage, one should know their prospective mate for "two springs, two summers, two falls, & two winters", should have been followed here. "Marry in haste, repent at leisure". It takes at least two years to know another person well enough to commit to marriage. I fear this marriage will not last long. Too many differences in the families, cultures, & class. Miss Markle redefines the British interpretation of their word, "commoner".
16
They have been together for two years. What else ya got?
16
Good advice.
3
Or maybe the couple lives in the 21st Century. Put away the bride's scold.
5
I don't know one family that doesn't have issues, it's called life. The fact that the British press is cashing in on this is eerily similar to how they hounded, stalked and persecuted Princess Diana over 30 years ago.
I am deeply disappointed and sadden that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being robbed of this special time before their wedding and wonder how far the British press will go once they are married. The press' meddling and stalking led to the untimely death of Princess Diana. Why can't they simply back off and allow folks their privacy.
57
Money.
The people who keep buying the tabloids are equally at fault.
9
@Sarita Framingham:
You are spot on re: the people who keep spending their money those tabloids.
2
British people have steely resolve to "keep calm and carry on," from the Queen(love her) on down. Meghan marrying into fantastic family. Congrats......
11
Best of luck to the happy couple! (I give it two years.)
13
Ha! At a friend's daughter's wedding he whispered in my ear: "This won't last!" And he was very wrong as it's been over fifteen years since and much happiness still abides. Harry and Meghan make a wonderful couple and are perfectly suited to each other. Congratulations are called for, not nosy gossip.
7
I think Meghan and Harry should enjoy their da, (as well as the rest of their lives), with Meghan's mom. And in the future, just ignore the others---just like evolution did.
31
Meghan's got her mom. A lot of us have various family members are just not able to show up for us in the way that would be ideal. I hope her dad can come, but if not, she's got her mom.
Clearly, we don't know the whole story, and really, none of us have to. Just mind your own families -- that takes enough life energy. As I social worker, I know enough about families to know, we all have issues. Every single one of us. The Royals aren't exactly without their issues. Two people with family issues marrying -- who, in their heart of hearts, can't relate to that story?
So many people have learned to move around their family members, to create healthy boundaries, to include them as much as is possible without making them be something they are not going to be -- and, sometimes, to create new definitions of family when our own families can't quite be there for us. We love to love them in spite of their flaws, and that sounds like what Meghan's doing. And if she is lucky, one day, she and Harry will have grown children who will love their parents despite their flaws too. Because they will have them. But for this week, let them have their celebration. Because even for Royals, the hard work of making a marriage work is ahead.
And, at any rate, she has her mom on her big day. And that’ll be enough. Moms (or whoever was there for you in your life) are always enough. Meghan and Harry, enjoy your beautiful day!
262
Why do people keep saying marriage is such hard work? Over 30 years of marriage and it has never felt like work. Make the right choice in a mate and the rest is easy.
15
@fireweed Eastsound, WA
Been married 31+ years, yet it feels like only 31 days. My husband and our marriage has been the best thing in my life. If Prince Harry and Ms. Markle enjoy one tenth the happiness my husband and I have felt, they will be just fine. True love really does triumph. The very best wishes to the happy couple.
3
I think that's great! Really, really, great! However, how easy or hard one's marriage is is a complicated thing. Mine has been rewarding, loving and the best decision I've ever made, but, yes, there has been work involved. It's taken work to deal with job changes, a move to a new city, miscarriage, managing a household together, the devastating circumstance of dealing with my mom's cancer and eventual death -- together, raising kids with wonderful personalities, but also surprising challenges together, and just being two people working to merge their hopes and dreams together, and we're not quite to our 20 year mark. Don't mistake WORK for problematic. Perhaps yours is a simpler dynamic -- that's truly wonderful. But for those who've had to work at it, marriage can be just as sweet and perhaps, in the end, not so taken for granted. It's both a wonderful ride and a beautiful struggle, not either/or. I suspect Harry and Meghan will have to deal with some "not so taken for granted" moments given the glare of the media and the weight of being a royal, in addition to whatever interpersonal stuff they have to work out as they hit their stride.
3
This all reminds me of that masterpiece of British literature, "Pride and Prejudice," which deals at length with the hilarious business of marriage.
In the book, apart from her sister Mary, Elizabeth Bennet's dysfunctional family is a constant source of mortification to her, and threaten her chances at marriage, despite (or because of) their mother's desperation to marry off the family's five brotherless daughters.
At one point Elizabeth's ironic but also dysfunctional father says to her, and I'm paraphrasing because I don't have the book at hand, "have we scared away some of your suitors? Any fellow scared away by a bit of nonsense isn't worth the trouble". This is a great test of Harry's character.
So I see all this as a celebration of that British classic and proof of the old saying, the more things change the more they stay the same.
118
I think you mean her sister Jane ❤️
9
Feels more like "Keeping up Appearances"...
6
I think you meant to say, "apart from her sister Jane..."
10
Whether orchestrated or not, the Markle family drama is happening just when Meghan and Harry should be enjoying the approach of their wedding. If Mr. Markles health truly is precarious, the pressure on him of meeting the royals and walking Meghan down the aisle should be avoided. He can be invited to attend the wedding if he feels he can make the trip to the UK, but arrangements should be made and announced for someone else to walk Meghan down the aisle. This will remove the drama surrounding Meghan’s father from being the primary focus of the wedding.
35
I feel sorry for Meghan Markle as she could not choose who would be in her family. Her mother appears to be the only sane and decent one in the bunch. If it is any consolation to Ms. Markle, we all have some family members who are a bit crazy but the difference is that most of us can keep them hidden from the public eye.
She will be just fine and I am sure she will have a lovely wedding Saturday and look beautiful. I wish the Royal couple well and much happiness.
350
Leave them alone. May they have a happy and joyous Union All families have things that they work on to better the relationships No one should have to do that under the glare of a public spotlight
127
One can hardly put the blame on the press for these family member's outrageous conduct. They are an embarrassment to Miss Markle and to themselves. Now, they will also be a major embarrassment to the royal family as well. They are not going to go away so long as someone will buy them a cup of coffee for an interview.
They are just a ghastly family. At least Miss Markle's mother has kept quiet. If anyone thinks such a family is going to be an asset in this marriage, they are nuts. It will put a huge strain on their marriage.
I don't think it would have been possible for Prince Harry to have found a less suitable bride. It has nothing at all to do with her race or being an American. It's this awful family and their trashy ways. I don't think either he or Miss Markle really took the time to think through how her family might behave, given their history. I would not put money on this marriage lasting very long at all.
37
And who are you to pass such a judgement? Everyone has something going on in their family (including you I am sure) and to not let someone the opportunity to rise above something they have no control over is old world. She should be very proud for making more of herself then what I’m sure you see as being the perfect match - a dainty privileged flower with a silver spoon. I’m sure her grit and poise is what attracted Harry to her in the first place. Good for both of them. Why would people persist in giving anything but positivity in what is supposed to be a happy time? Jeez.
203
Your remarks fit right in with her family's approach. I think it gand that Ms markle is fighting for a way for her father to come even after the blunders, and is supported by Prince Harry who is respectful, and by the Queen herself out of feelings for the groom and bride whom she obviously likes very much. This marriage feels so right. They are both impressive people.
44
Thanks for your insightful analysis. May I also add that water is wet, and today the sky could indeed be blue?
8
As an American, it is embarrassing to see how these barely genetic relations are cashing in on a historic and solemn occasion. Of course the media is cashing in, too, exhibiting typical bad behavior that is lapped up by the public. Do these money grubbing relatives remind anyone of Washington, where it is "do anything" for a buck, sans morals?
75
It took several reads for me to even figure out how the marijuana growers were even related to her.
If in the end her mother walks her down the aisle, that would be great, as she seems (fortunately) to be the person who has had the most influence on her daugher's life and is really "giving" her away.
But if it's one of the royals, that's fine too, whatever makes them all happy.
17
Do not apologize for the Markles. It could be your family the Tabloids are ripping apart.
1
Meghan and Harry should move to USA. We will be kind to them here. We loved his mother.
49
Canada would be a better choice, on so many levels.
Certainly as long as Trump is around.
24
We did? I never knew the woman, how could I "love" her? l
2
I met her and thought quite well of her.
That poor girl!
69
Not much longer :)
4
Poor Ms. Markle. It seems her family as dysfunctional as her husband-to-be’s.
146
The main question I have about all of this is why did "they" (whomever "they" are) decide to have a big showboat "Royal Wedding"? Given their ages, Ms. Markle's prior marriage and Prince Harry's relatively low rank, why not opt for a quiet, private ceremony in one of England's beautiful local churches?
127
I agree with you but Possibly bc of Prince Harry’s stature as the son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana? Also, Harry is one if the more popular members if the royal family. Just saying.
20
It is their lot in life to have a showboat royal wedding. Imagine if they had not done it? Howling, angry, left-out public.
8
Tourism. A royal wedding boosts the industry.
11
A hurting father is trying to work his way through a personal quandary on the eve of his daughter's marriage to an honest-to-goodness, a real-life charming prince - of Great Britain, no less. And here is our modern day media, ever hungering for sensational stories and larger profits, go about blaring the poor man's plight. Not Fair. For God's sake, spare the poor guy and Ms. Markel taunts on their most joyous occasion.
Here's an old man wishing the young folks, Prince Harry and his charming, bride-to-be Meghan, a long life of love and togetherness. May God bless your love and marriage!
411
" .. And here is our modern day media, ever hungering for sensational stories and larger profits .."
Actually, profits are thin in media, issue is survival.
And yes, gad, many are just tired of this Prince Harry over-kill. Just like the non-stop, knee-jerk attacks on "Not Hillary" .. which appears to be boosting his support with his core voters.
My TV's on mute, until after the wedding.
To each his own. For me, love is everything - mighty and majestic. I found unadulterated love and joy in the company of my wife for 40 years of marriage to her. Now that she's gone back to the heavens above, the memory of the times with her sustains me in my old age. Even while living a kinda reclusive life, I do not feel lonely. I feel her spirit by my side all the time.
1
This pending marriage only seems like a TV reality show; the difference is that so-called "reality" shows are scripted and no network would buy a show with a story line as implausible as this hands-across the sea wedding.
See the gorgeous, mixed-race, actress bride. Add her monumentally dysfunctional family that embarrasses the dickens out of her and the handsome groom's oh-so-stuffy royal family that nonetheless embraces the actress.
Who could make this up? Who would write a script this tacky and expect millions (billions?) of viewers to follow the wedding and its aftermath?
Will this match humanize and save the monarchy? Perhaps, but the spectacle will be fun to watch now and in the years to come.
Best wishes to the bride and groom!
1
I'm glad no one is marrying into the UK royals from my family. With 2 1/2 times more siblings and 17 divorces and jail birds the ruthless British press would tear us to ribbons.
175
These are the most-read newspapers in the country. Still wondering why they voted for Brexit?
84
A lot of people voted for Brexit for the same reason that Americans would vote against a free trade deal if it m mandated unimited immigration rights for everybody south of the border.
That is what the EU mandates - unlimited immigration from EU countries. And, English being the main 2nd language, the UK becomes the prime destination for anyone in the EU wishing to move to another country. This means that the UK also must pay for their health care, benefits and schooling. (this is all mandated by the EU.)
Does that sound like something the U.S. would sign up to?
10
Maybe I'm just an uncultured, low-class American, but Ms Markle's family seems delightfully dysfunctional. The money-hungry ex-in-laws, the cousin nobody has seen for 20 years, the adult siblings who fight constantly...I had to laugh because my family has many of the same characters. While I hope that nobody ruins her big day, it would be shame if they didn't give us at least a bit of drama.
175
Thanks for the lighthearted take. Good on you!
58
I think the lesson here is that if Meghan can marry Prince Harry, then any one of us could someday become a princess!
err... well... you know what I mean
7
It is well known that the British press, large parts of it anyway, are a disgusting bunch.
Not surprisingly, Pierce Morgan, that slimy tabloid editor/contributor, who had a short stint on US TV, pretending to be normal, has reverted back to his true, disgusting, nasty character.
270
Piers Morgan is a well known lowlife. (spelling please)
Talk about cashing in! Just like Trump, there's no depth he won't exploit.
112
Kudos to you for circling back to the most important man on the planet, Trump.
Disgusting? I’ll say! Any newspaper that publishes suc stuff belongs at the local supermarket checkout counters. Hmmm... Wait, where did I just read this tripe? Geeeeeze...
9
And through it all, Ms. Meghan shines on beautifully.
This would be a fly-over fluff piece if it weren't for the tabloids. Like many, if not most American families, Markle's has issues. But they're not the problem here.
The problem is the tabloids, and they only becomes worthy of serious attention when one considers some of the harm they've done. Think Princess Diana. Think Brexit.
The real subject of interest here is the people, might I say perverts?, who work in the tabloid industry. And the real question is, "How can they live with themselves?"
Shine on, Meghan. You have made yourself what you are because of the beauty of your soul. Glory in that, and set an inspiring example for the rest of us in these trying times.
(And thanks to Prince Harry for having the common sense and decency to see a beautiful human being for what she is.)
305
Meghan has made herself what she is, and placed herself where she is, through strategic moves and ambition.
5
Oh my, you sure are an envious fellow. Harry is lucky he met MM, and she has made him very happy & peaceful. I hope they have a long, happy & healthy life together. MM's Mother is a beautiful person, and a role model for her daughter. Lucky Harry, he has a lovely
Mother-in-law as an added bonus. LOVE is everywhere & its here to stay with Meghan & Harry. Many blessings on their happy day!
Perhaps, you should give it a rest, Tim.
1
Isn't that what we do in this world? As opposed to fumbling our way toward failure?!?
Leave it up to press gossips to ruin another royal wedding. It's preposterous.
Grow up, people of the press. Ms. Markle's family is none of your business. Let's hope she and Prince Harry's love is strong enough to last through the constant childish drivel.
Best wishes to them.
111
Not sure whether the British press learned from Trump or Trump from the British press.
Either way, they are made for each other.
Trump and Murdoch...
7
Meghan Markle is kind, well spoken, intelligent, and she and Prince Harry have a good rapport with many people. They have their own causes they believe in, and they will certainly make their marriage a happy one with their common interests, humor, and their caring natures. Since her father is having heart trouble maybe the stress of the travel and trip at this time is not a good idea for him. I have known people from two different countries to be married both places. So perhaps Meghan and Harry can also have a small ceremony with her father in Mexico or the USA later this year.
Wish them happiness in their lives together.
162
That's a very very nice way of saying that her father is a clown and he should stay home. I couldnt agree more.
7
Meghan's father was a successful lighting designer in LA in the movie business, clearly is loved by all of his children, must have found the press overwhelming since he likes a quiet life, and was trying to make a good impression which didn't quite work out but he can be forgiven for. He loves his daughter Meghan and must be proud of her and she loves him too. He had a heart attack 6 days ago and has been in the hospital again so we all wish him well.
1