Keeping up with the Markles
Your guide to who’s who in Meghan’s family – from the uncle peeved not to be invited to the cannabis farmer nephew
WITH just two days to go until Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot it is Harry’s future in-laws rather than our own Royal Family who find themselves firmly in the spotlight.
While Meghan’s father Thomas Snr initially kept us guessing whether he would attend the nuptials, it has since been confirmed after major heart surgery he will not be giving his daughter away, and the bride-to-be has released a statement.
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Her half-sister Samantha also resurfaced to have her say and was branded a "little vulture" by Piers Morgan when she attempted to defend the staged paparazzi shots in which their father had orchestrated.
Meanwhile another branch of the family propelled themselves into the public eye too: Meghan’s half brother Thomas’ ex-wife Tracy arrived in London on May 15 with their two sons - Meghan’s nephews Thomas and Tyler - excitedly tweeting about how delighted they were to be here... even though they’re not invited to the wedding.
It’s not the first time Meghan’s family have hit the headlines either.
In recent months it emerged that Tyler runs a cannabis farm and is planning a new strain of the drug called Markle Sparkle, while his father had been arrested for allegedly holding a gun to a woman’s head in an argument.
It’s a colourful family tree and here we give the lowdown on who’s who.
The wavering dad
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Name: Thomas Markle
Age: 73
Who is he? A former television lighting director, now unemployed and living a solitary life in a run-down Mexico town.
Invited? Yes – but whether he’s going is the million-dollar question. At the moment it’s a no, after reports say he is going to undergo heart surgery today.
Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas to undergo heart operation and will miss Royal Wedding
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Last saw or spoke to Meghan: Unclear. Meghan was understood to be in regular phone contact with her father in recent weeks, although on Monday he reportedly told American gossip website TMZ that he has not spoken to her this week.
What he says: Very little. When approached earlier this year by a reporter asking if he would be giving his daughter away he replied: "I’d love to". Other than that he has kept his silence.
What Megan says: On May 17 Meghan released a formal statement addressing the situation. In a short message, the bride-to-be expressed how much she 'cared for her father' but 'hoped he could be given the space needed to focus on his health'.
Royal Approval Rating: 2/10. There may be a sliver of sympathy from the Firm, but those paparazzi shots and his decision to pull out the wedding will have seen his status plummet.
The much-loved mum
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Name: Doria Ragland.
Age: 61
Who is she? Social worker turned yoga teacher
Invited? Absolutely – and the bookies are sure she will be walking her daughter down the aisle.
Last saw or spoke to Meghan: They speak on the phone every day and Doria will be staying with her daughter at Cliveden House the night before the wedding. At the moment she is staying with Harry and Meghan in their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace.
What she says: Nothing so far – when first approached about her daughter’s royal romance in the early days she merely chuckled and said "I can’t say anything." She has maintained her silence ever since – although she was spotted early this month at the home of Oprah Winfrey, with whom it is rumoured she is considering granting a tell-all interview.
What Megan says: "My mum has always been a free spirit...we can just have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support."
And in a 2014 post she wrote: "Dreadlocks. Nose ring. Yoga instructor. Social worker. Free spirit. Lover of potato chips & lemon tarts. And if the DJ cues Al Green’s soul classic 'Call Me,' just forget it. She will swivel her hips into the sweetest little dance you’ve ever seen. And you will smile. You won’t be able to help it. You will look at her and you will feel joy. I’m talking about my mom."
Prince Harry is impressed too - during the couple’s first sit down interview with the BBC he said "her mum’s amazing".
Royal Approval Rating: 9/10. Doria hasn’t put a foot wrong since news first emerged that her daughter was dating a British Prince.
The bitter half-sister
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Name: Samantha Grant
Age: 53
Who is she? Former actress and model, now wheelchair-bound following a 2008 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Invited? No.
Last saw or spoke to Meghan: According to Samantha her last contact with Megan was on the phone at the end of November 2014. After that her sister "got busy."
What she says: What hasn’t she said? She has made several claims, such as Meghan was behaving "way out of her league".
Samantha has granted a number of interviews in which she has made a number of digs at her half-sister and is busy writing a memoir called The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister.
In her most recent broadside following Prince Harry's comment that the Royals were the family Megan "never had" Samantha posted an acerbic tweet saying: "She has a large family who were there for her. No one was estranged, she was just too busy.” This week she said she wasn’t "taking it personally" that she hadn’t been invited.
What Megan says: Nothing
Royal Approval rating: 0/10. Samantha has broken the royal golden rule – keep your mouth shut.
Samantha Markle insists she can say what she likes about half-sister Meghan Markle
The loose cannon half-brother
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Name: Thomas Markle Jr
Age: 51
Who is he? A window fitter
Invited? No
Last Saw or Spoke to Megan: 2011
What he says: Again - a lot. Initially gushing about his half-sister, Tom quickly changed his tune and only last month penned an open letter to Harry telling him it "wasn’t too late" to pull out of the wedding. He has now written another note begging for an invite to Saturday’s festivities – although the chances look remote.
What Meghan says: Nothing.
Royal Approval Rating: 0/10. As with his sister, Tom has failed to learn the first lesson: what goes on in the family stays in the family. The fact that he was arrested in January last year for allegedly holding a gun to a woman’s head during a drunken argument won’t have helped his cause either.
The "diplomatic" uncle
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Name: Michael Markle
Age: 78
Who is he? Meghan's uncle - and dad Thomas' older brother. A former US diplomat, Michael spent 19 years working for the government and is now retired, living in Palm Bay, Florida. He also served in the air force. When Meghan was 20, Michael used his connections to help her secure an internship at the US embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Invited? Nope, and he's not pleased about it.
Last saw or spoke to Meghan: Unknown.
What he says: "This whole invitation thing has not been played out very well. I’m upset and surprised about not being selected but if they don’t want me there, then I don’t want to go." That's what he told the Mail On Sunday when he didn't get his invite to the big day. He did add, however, that he's "very proud" of his niece.
What Megan says: Nothing public.
Royal Approval Rating: 3/10. He may have helped Meghan out in the past, but he's doing his niece no favours now by criticising her guest list.
The reclusive uncle
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Name: Frederick Markle
Age: 75
Who is he? Brother of Meghan’s father Thomas and a bishop - albeit with almost no congregation. As "Bishop Dismas" he presides over a ramshackle chapel in Sanford, Florida.
Last saw or spoke to Meghan: Unknown
Invited? No.
What he says: Nothing – has refused to speak to the press. "He is basically a real friendly guy but he doesn't go for new ideas. He lives like a hermit," his friend Barry Sterner has said.
What Meghan says: Nothing
Royal Approval Rating: 9/10. The Royals will be relieved that in a sea of loose cannons Frederick is one less relative to worry about.
Chicken Shop Date star Amelia Dimoldenberg gets to know Meghan's family in Channel 4 doc Meet the Markles
The uncle who keeps schtum
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Name: Joffrey Ragland
Age: 34
Who is he? A freelance graphic designer from Los Angeles, he is Doria’s half brother from her father’s second marriage to retired teacher Ava Burrows.
Invited? Unclear.
Last saw or spoke to Meghan: Unknown, although he is close to Doria and likely to be in touch.
What he says: Nothing. He has given no interviews.
What Meghan says: Nothing.
Royal Approval Rating: 8/10. Given he lives in the showbiz capital of the US, the Royals are likely to be impressed he hasn’t cashed in.
The acerbic step-grandmother
Name: Ava Burrows
Age: 63
Who is she: Retired teacher and second wife – now widow - of Alvin Ragland, Doria’s father and Meghan’s grandfather. The former antique shop owner died in 2011 aged 80.
Invited? No
What she says: "Meggie marrying a prince? Who'd have thunk?" she said in a doorstep interview following news of her step-granddaughter’s engagement. "I'm kind of expecting a visit from the men in black suits [the FBI] to check us out. I guess it’s like your Downton Abbey – and we’re the folks downstairs."
Royal Approval Rating: 5/10: Lukewarm.
The sister-in-law who is cashing in
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Name: Tracy Dooley
Age: 52
Who is she? The first wife of Meghan’s half-brother Thomas. Works as a creative advertising and marketing specialist and is a recovering alcoholic.
Invited? No – but has arrived in London anyway and is believed to be covering the event for an American broadcaster. She's been quick to post photos on social media of London landmarks, captioned "We're here! Yay!"
Last spoke to Meghan: By her own admission, twenty years ago.
What she says: "I’ll be in the front row cheering them on". She has also proclaimed "Peace, love and good works" to Meghan and Harry.
What Meghan says: Nothing
Royal Approval rating: 3/10. Previously off the radar, Kensington Palace are likely to be keeping a close eye on her now.
The cannabis farmer nephew
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Name: Tyler Dooley.
Age: 25
Who is he? Meghan’s nephew via her half-brother and a cannabis farmer in Oregon. His new strain, "Markle Sparkle" is said to cost £206-an-ounce. He's rumoured to be joining forces with his mother to set up the company, Royally Grown.
Invited? No, but he's here in Britain anyway.
Last spoke to Meghan: Three years ago.
What he says: "We've been here from the beginning, her whole life, just always rooting her on and supporting her." He has also told : "Prince Harry enjoys a good party. I’d be happy to show them around if they ever come out here and educate them on the medicinal benefits of marijuana."
What Meghan says: Nothing
Royal Approval Rating: As above. Likely to to now be on Kensington Palace's radar.
The Domino's pizza boss
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Name: Thomas Dooley, AKA TJ
Age: 26
Who is he? Meghan’s other nephew via her half-brother. Tom works as a Domino's Pizza manager.
Invited? No. The brothers have arrived in England along with their mum – fulfilling a promise Tom made in a television interview when he said he would probably come to the UK for the wedding even if he hasn’t on the guest list.
Last spoke to Meghan: Three years ago, although it's thought the nephews were closer with Meghan when she was younger.
What he says: "I’d probably come to the UK for the wedding – even if I'm not invited. I am thrilled."
What Meghan says: Nothing.
Royal Approval Rating: As above. Low, but at least he's not using the royal brand to flog cannabis.
The nice niece
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Name: Noel Rasmussen
Age: 19
Who is she? Noel is Meghan's niece, the daughter of Meghan's hyper-critical half sister Samantha Grant. Noel, who is estranged from her mum Samantha, is an anthropology student, living with her grandmother in New Mexico.
Invited? It's unclear, but doesn't look likely at this stage.
Last saw or spoke to Meghan: Noel hasn't seen Meghan since her mum's graduation ceremony in 2008.
What she says: Noel has defended Meghan from her mother's criticism, saying her "embarrassing" relatives are "ripping the family apart" by feuding in public. She added: "It’s in Meghan’s nature to be a good person and she won’t want any bad feelings. I’ve always really looked up to her, like a big sister I never had."
What Megan says: Meghan has not said anything publicly about Noel, although Noel says the two were close when she was younger.
Royal Approval Rating: Relatively high. Top bods at the palace may prefer closed mouths, but they'll be pleased someone is aware of the damage the family is doing.
The Suits inspiration
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Name: Ashleigh Hale
Age: 31
Who is she? Ashleigh is Meghan's niece, and Noel's sister. She is an accomplished lawyer - and was reportedly the inspiration for Meghan's Suits character, Rachel.
Invited? A source claimed to the Express that Ashleigh is likely to play a role at the wedding. Noel has also said she wouldn't be surprised if Ashleigh was invited, so there's a decent chance.
Last saw or spoke to Meghan: The same source told the that Ashleigh and Meghan have remained close, and catch up when they can.
What she says: Nothing, publicly.
What Megan says: Meghan has praised Ashleigh on social media, sharing photos of the pair together and voicing support for Ashleigh's legal work. She posted on Instagram: "Please help victims of human trafficking! Support @thegrayhaven (my niece, Ash, does pro bono work for them!)”. An earlier post showed a bouquet of flowers with the caption: "The most beautiful flowers from my niece, Ash. xoxo”.
Royal Approval Rating: High. Meghan's younger relatives seem to have their heads screwed on, and Ashley's silence is good for the family.
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