THOMAS Markle has today admitted his daughter Meghan has "always been very controlling" amid speculation the Duchess of Sussex is difficult to work with.
The 74-year-old said his daughter had "always been in charge" - but hit back at claims she was "rude".
Meghan's estranged father today spoke with Good Morning Britain in an attempt to reconnect with his daughter, who he has not spoken to since she married Prince Harry - a man he is yet to meet.
And Thomas Markle this morning defended his daughter over the "gossip" she is hard to work for and she peppers staff with demanding 5am emails.
But he admitted: "She has always been a very controlling person and that is part of her nature but she has never been rude.
"The ghosting I don't completely understand - she's always been in charge, that's her nature, but not been rude."
It comes after it was claimed overnight that Prince Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, had been nicknamed Monica and Chandler by royal staff because of her controlling reputation.
Speaking to GMB hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid from San Diego, the dad said: "She is very polite and has always been polite to everyone.
"She has never been rude. I'm not sure what is happening."
The retired lighting director added: "She was raised on Hollywood stages and learned to respect the crew. She learned to respect everyone - I just can't see her being rude to anybody. It's not her."
The American, who lives in Mexico, also said he was hoping the Queen would step in to
Thomas said: "I would appreciate anything she can do. I would think she would want to resolve the family problems."
The unpaid TV interview comes as the dad said he had been texting his daughter everyday in an attempt to reconnect with her - but has been met with radio silence.
He said: "I'm very disappointed by it. Everyday I try to text her, I just haven't received anything back."
He said he hadn't even received a Christmas card from his daughter for the festive season.
But the dad said he still held onto hope that he would be able to reconnect with his daughter, and eventually meet his grandchild, due in Spring 2019.
He said: "They will produce a beautiful baby - I hope to see a little Meghan or little Harry.
"I think she will make a great mum."
Thomas, who admitted he had been "ghosted" by his own daughter, added: "There has to be a place for me. I'm her father and I will be the grandfather to her child.
"I'm here and she knows it."
Thomas Markle had been expected to walk his daughter down the aisle for her May wedding to Prince Harry, but was forced to pull out over health concerns.
Instead, Prince Charles stepped into the role, with Thomas watching from the US.
He has not spoken to Meghan since her wedding, and found out she was pregnant after hearing it announced on the radio.
At the time, Thomas said: "The first thing I thought about was holding Meghan in my arms as a newborn 37 years ago. I thought 'My baby is having a baby'.
"It was a very proud moment."
It comes amid a raft of rumours about Meghan's behaviour and relationship with other royals - including a rift with sister-in-law Kate Middleton.
Prince Harry and Prince William have reportedly fallen out while Kate was said to have been left in tears over Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress for Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in May.
The couple are also set to snub the traditional Christmas shoot after Meghan raised concerns about killing "defenceless animals".
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Thomas was also embroiled in a scandal when admitted he had been paid to pose for staged paparazzi pictures which sold for £100,000 ahead of the Royal Wedding.
He said he did not want to embarrass either his daughter or the royals in the wake of his confession.
He was also separately photographed getting measured for a suit, looking at a book of British landmarks and working out ahead of the big day.
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