Prince Harry’s girlfriend Meghan Markle’s half-brother vows to seek help for his drinking problem after his arrest for ‘holding gun to lover’s head’
The Suits star's half-brother apologises for any 'embarrassment' caused as family tell of their shock
THE half-brother of Prince Harry’s girlfriend Meghan Markle has apologised for his gun arrest — blaming his drinking.
Thomas Markle Jr told loved ones he is “seeking help” for the drinking problem that led to him allegedly put a pistol to his lover’s head in Oregon, US.
The 50-year-old, who shares dad Thomas Snr with Prince Harry’s girlfriend Meghan, said: “I am incredibly sorry for my actions and I’m especially sorry to everyone affected by my drinking.
“I am seeking help and I promise I will be the best person I can be going forward. Thank you for understanding.”
He was arrested on Thursday after the row with Darlene Blount, 36, at his home in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Court papers say he pointed the gun at her head in an attempt to get her to leave.
Markle Jr’s son Tyler, 24, said he received a text from his dad after the argument to say he was being taken to jail.
Tyler told The Sun: “He knows it is an embarrassment to Meghan and the family.
“He is very sorry and is apologising to everyone. He just needs some time to heal and reflect on life. But he wants to apologise for everything.
"He is in the spotlight now and everyone gets to see his flaws.
“Due to being inebriated, his emotions got the better of him and he got into an argument with his girlfriend. He’s not like this normally.
“I also want to apologise on behalf of my dad. Unfortunately my father has a problem with alcohol. He is now in recovery.”
Markle Jr moved up America’s West coast from California to Oregon for a fresh start after breaking up with a girlfriend.
But he is now charged with menacing, pointing a firearm at another person and unlawful use of a weapon after the clash with Darlene.
An official police log of the incident, in which his name is spelled wrong, said: “Markel and Blount got into an argument.
"In his drunken state Markel grabbed a gun and pressed it to Blount’s head in an attempt to get her to leave.”
It says Darlene rang the cops after locking herself in the bathroom before Markle, who owns a 9mm Taurus handgun, was arrested.
A mugshot of Markle Jr looking bleary-eyed later emerged online.
His ex-wife Tracy Dooley, Tyler’s mum, went to the jail after Markle rang her at 3am.
Debt recovery worker Tyler, who also lives in Grants Pass, added: “It is pretty serious what happened and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
"But this is all about Meghan. She is being judged by people who are involved in her life.
“This is not who she is. I don’t want anyone to judge Meghan off the back of this. She shouldn’t be defined by anyone else’s actions.”
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Suits actress Meghan, 35, has been staying with Prince Harry, 32, at Kensington Palace after returning from a holiday in Norway.
She is due to leave London next week to fulfil some charity commitments abroad.
Last night pals insisted she was not close to her half-brother or half-sister Sam.
One said: “Thomas was around when she was little but they haven’t spoken for some time.”
A royal source added: “Meghan has conducted herself impeccably and can’t be held responsible for her family’s actions.”
SCANDAL OF ROYALS' OWN PAST
MEGHAN Markle’s family embarrassment will not shock the royals as their history is littered with scandals.
The Queen’s sister Princess Margaret fell in love with a divorced man, sparking dire threats from the Church of England. Her later marriage to the Earl of Snowdon collapsed after an affair. Princess Anne’s hubby Mark Phillips cheated on her and fathered a child. Prince Andrew’s fling with Koo Stark ended after it emerged she starred in an erotic film. Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson was photographed with her toes in a businessman’s mouth.
TV star's pride at family's heritage
MEGHAN Markle has spoken of her pride in her heritage and that her ancestors include slaves.
The 35-year-old divorcee’s family live in LA but can be traced back to the Deep South.
Mum Doria Ragland works as a yoga teacher, jewellery maker and mental health therapist.
Dad Thomas W Markle, 72, an ex-TV lighting director, is of Dutch and Irish descent.
Meghan’s parents divorced when she was six, and her father now spends much of his time in Mexico.
By the time she was born in 1981, half-brother Thomas Jr, 50, was living with his dad, sister Samantha, and Doria in LA.
Meghan struggles with half-sister Samantha, 51, who claimed Harry would be appalled if he knew about the “narcissistic and selfish” actress’s treatment of her father.
Wheelchair-bound Samantha claimed her sibling had abandoned her family in her quest for fame.
In a frank interview, Meghan talked about the struggles of growing up with a white mum and black dad.
She said: “You create the identity you want for yourself, just as my ancestors did when they were given their freedom.
“Perhaps the closest thing to connecting me to my ever-complex family tree . . . is the choice my great-great-great grandfather made to start anew. He chose the last name Wisdom. He drew his own box.”