Meghan Markle's Half-Sister Takes the Blame for Her Dad's Staged Paparazzi Photos
Meghan Markle's 73-year-old father, Thomas Markle, worked with paparazzi to stage photos of himself preparing for the royal wedding.
Update 5/14:
Meghan Markle's half-sister, Samantha Markle, claims it was her idea for her father to stage the paparazzi pics of him preparing for his daughter's wedding. According to the Daily Mail, she advised him to do it to paint him "in a positive light" before he walks Meghan down the aisle on May 19. In a private tweet the Mail screenshotted, Markle admitted her involvement:
"The bad press over my father doing staged photos is my fault. The media was unfairly making him look bad so I suggested he do positive photos for his benefit and and the benefit of the royal family. We had no idea he would be taken advantage of. It was not for money @KensingtonRoyal."
Kensington Palace has not responded to the reports and Markle's dad is still expected to walk Meghan down the aisle this Saturday.
Original story 5/13:
In less than a week, Meghan Markle will marry Prince Harry and officially become a member of the royal family. Just days before her wedding, some disappointing news about her own family has surfaced.
You know those adorable photos of Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, preparing for her wedding and his trip to Britain for the occasion? Most of them were reportedly staged, according to the Daily Mail. The British publication obtained security footage that appears to show Thomas Markle working with photographer Jeff Rayner to stage a picture of him surfing the web for pictures of his daughter and Prince Harry.
RELATED STORIES
In the video, Markle, 73, and Rayner can be seen entering an internet cafe, paying for service, and adjusting the computer monitor to get the best photo. The photos of Markle looking at pictures of Harry and Meghan online are not the only ones alleged to be staged.
Per Daily Mail: "The faked images include Mr Markle apparently:
Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
- Being measured for a suit to wear to the wedding – in fact the "tailor" was an assistant at a party goods shop recruited for the job as the suit hire store the photographer planned to use was closed.
- Being caught browsing a book of British landmarks in a branch of Starbucks – although he actually arrived at the cafe with the photographer, and set up the shot.
- Working out with weights to get in shape for the big day – but the pictures appear to have been taken on a waste tip, an unlikely place to exercise but away from prying eyes."
As Daily Mail notes, Markle is wearing the same clothes in each of the suspicious photos, suggesting they may have all been taken on the same day. The pictures have been sold to publications around the world, reportedly netting profits of as much as £100,000. It's not clear if Markle was paid for his participation or not.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Lupita Nyong'o Indirectly Confirms Joshua Jackson Breakup
And it looks like he's moved on, too.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Anne Hathaway Apologizes to Journalist for "Awful" 2012 Interview That Went Viral
All's well that ends well!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Taylor Swift Makes $5 Million Donation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton Relief
One organization thanked Swift for her generosity.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Meghan Markle Has Offered to "Help" Her 'Suits' Costars With Their Rewatch Podcast
"It's lovely to still have that kind of support and friendship after so many years apart."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Reveals One Thing Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Share With Mom Meghan Markle
Lucky kids.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles Wants Prince William and Prince Harry to "Get Along" Before His 75th Birthday
"He wants to draw a line under their past feuds."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Have "Hit Their Stride" at Work and at Home
"It's as much a reflection on parenting priorities."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
How Princess Diana's Sisters Have Remained Close to Prince Harry and Prince William
"The aunts looked thrilled to see their warring nephews."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Opens Up About the "Position" She Doesn't Want to Be in as a Mother
The Duchess of Sussex got candid about motherhood while attending the Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Exclusive: Prince Harry Shares Never-Before-Seen Moments From NYC Visit in New Video
The Duke of Sussex championed causes close to his heart during UN Climate Week in a new video shared with 'Marie Claire.'
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Meets Up With Another Royal Family During His First Stop in Africa
The Duke of Sussex spent time with some old friends in Lesotho on Oct. 1.
By Kristin Contino Published