Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas likens Royal Family to Scientologists because of their ‘cult-like’ secrecy

MEGHAN Markle’s dad has likened the Royal Family to Scientologists because of their “cult-like” secrecy.

Thomas Markle, 74, said the royals must become more modern and open to scrutiny.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun at his home in Rosarito, Mexico, he said “They are either like Scientologists or the Stepford family.

"If they hear anybody say anything they just lock the doors. They need to speak up!

“They are cult-like — like Scientology — because they are secretive.

"They close the door, pull the shades down and put their fingers in their ears so they don’t have to hear.

“Maybe they have a secret handshake too! You cannot ask a question of them — as they won’t answer.”

American Thomas has been met with a wall of silence from Kensington Palace, including Meghan, 37, since speaking out publicly about her.

The Church of Scientology, founded by L Ron Hubbard, has provoked controversy for its practices and secretive methods.

It has always strongly denied claims that it is a cult and that it manipulates members.

The religion has attracted a huge celebrity following — including film megastars Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

The Stepford Wives is a 1970s thriller novel by Ira Levin where men in American suburbia turn their spouses into brainwashed submissive robots.

Thomas, an Emmy-winning lighting director, has tried to encourage Meghan and her husband Prince Harry, 33, to contact him — after three months of silence.

They have not spoken since the day after the couple’s wedding at Windsor Castle.

Thomas, who also has children Samantha, 53, and Tom Jnr, 51, dismissed reports that he was hoping for money from his kids.

He said: “I worked hard to provide for my children. I’m their father, I don’t expect them to pay me back.”

The retired Hollywood lighting director has openly criticised the Duchess in a series of interviews since her wedding.

He claimed he had been completely cut off by Meghan.

But people close to Meghan have insisted this is not the case.

They said: "His behaviour is something she has had to deal with for most of her adult life.

"There has been a long history of 'dad disappointment' with her life being splattered with upset because of her relationship with him.

"She isn't shocked or surprised by his behaviour and dealt with it all with a lot of grace."

Meghan has also come under fire from her half-sister, Samantha, who urged her to reconnect with her father.

Thomas laughed off a claim that he is to launch a clothing range for men — which Meghan's half sister Samantha had made in a tweet.

He insisted: “It is just a joke.

“The only clothes line I have is the one I hang my shirts on to dry.”

He was famously pictured being measured for a suit in staged paparazzi shots in the run up to the Royal Wedding.