Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Sr, is said to have ‘angered’ Prince Harry with his latest remarks about her first husband.
Meghan was married to film producer Trevor Engelson for two years, from 2011 until 2013, when they were granted a no-fault divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. He has since gone on to find love with Tracey Kurland, with whom he shares two daughters.
But in a new interview, Thomas stated that his daughter should ‘never have left’ her first husband, in what appears to be a new swipe at Harry.Speaking to the MailOnline, Thomas said he “really liked” Meghan’s first husband. He added: “I really liked Trevor. I don’t think he ever understood why she dumped him either.”
Meghan Markle with her first husband Trevor Engelson
His remarks have reportedly not gone down well in Montecito, where Meghan and Harry live with their two children. A source with alleged knowledge of the Sussexes claimed that the comments had left the prince ‘angered’.
They said: “Thomas has dealt a strong blow to Harry with the royal’s comparison to Meghan’s first husband,” as per The News International. “Thomas has angered Harry as his comments seem to be an insult.”
Thomas has been estranged from Meghan since before her wedding to Harry in 2018. He has never met Harry, nor the couple’s two children, Archie and Lilibet.
His remarks on Meghan’s first marriage come as she prepares for a ‘career relaunch’ with her brand new Netflix TV show. On 15 January, her eight-part lifestyle series – With Love, Meghan – will premiere and will see the royal invite friends and famous guests to a California estate, where she shares cooking, gardening and hosting tips.
It was announced a day after she made a shock return to Instagram for the first time since 2020, with Prince Harry also landing a fleeting cameo in the new promo for the show.
While many fans are thrilled to see Meghan back on screens again, critics have raised questions about the show’s premise and her move back to the world of entertainment.
With Love, Meghan will premiere on 15 January
One critic told Page Six: “It’s 2024, not 2014. People don’t want more curated lifestyle influencers. Even Martha Stewart pivoted her brand. People crave authenticity. They no longer idolise perfectly crafted celebrities anymore.”
The show has also been slated by royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop, who argues it will not resonate well with the public. She told the Mirror: “I mean, come on, a reality series in which one of the richest women in the world is pretending she can teach us ‘little tips and tricks’.
“Demonstrating how ‘we can incorporate these practices’ into our domestic lives, as she meanders through her sun-dappled kitchen garden, retro basket in hand, before attending those designer bee hives, dripping with honey. It’s so out-of-reach for the vast majority, it is laughable.”
Fans of the Duchess, however, have praised the released teaser of the show on social media.
