Here's How the Royal Family Plans to Deal with Meghan Markle's Family Drama
The royal family is adopting a policy of silence on the issue of Meghan Markle's family drama. The former actress is reportedly struggling with her inability to issue a comment.

Since becoming a member of the royal family, Meghan Markle has had to make a lot of adjustments (opens in new tab) and follow a lot of new rules (opens in new tab), and, for the most part (opens in new tab), she's done a great job. Some members of her family (opens in new tab), however, haven't been as on board with her in-laws' PR-friendly rules.
To recap, in case you haven't been following the Markle family drama, there's been a lot. Before the royal wedding, news broke that Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, had staged a series of cute paparazzi photos (opens in new tab) of him preparing for a trip to the UK. Since the wedding, Thomas has given several interviews (opens in new tab), alleging things like that Meghan looks "terrified" by her new life (opens in new tab). Now, a friend of Meghan's is even claiming that Thomas faked the heart attack (opens in new tab) that he said kept him from attending the royal wedding in May. Meghan's half-sister, Samantha Markle, has also gotten in on the public Meghan slamming (opens in new tab). It's been a whole thing.
So, how does the Windsor clan plan to address this onslaught of negative press? By taking the high road and not saying anything at all, apparently.
"The strategy at Kensington Palace, I understand, is, 'Say nothing, don't dignify these comments, these interviews, these articles with a response,'" royal expert Katie Nicholl told ET (opens in new tab). "The royal family has had more than their fair share of scandals. This won't faze them."
That said, it doesn't seem like Meghan has plans to reach out to mend fences any time soon, either.
"I think the fact that he has continually spoken, he is not respecting her wish that he just stays quiet, [and that] has probably upset her more than anything else and possibly made a reconciliation from Meghan's point of view almost impossible now," Nicholl said. "I don't think there are any concrete plans at the moment for Meghan to go out and see her father. I don't even believe they have spoken on the phone since the day of the royal wedding."
The tension has reportedly been hard on Meghan. A source close to the royal told Us Weekly (opens in new tab) that she's frustrated by the distance between her and her father and would like to reach out, but worries that her dad would leak any communication they had to the press. She's also reportedly struggling with her inability to issue a comment about the situation—an indication that she might not be totally on board with Kensington Palace's no comment strategy.
"She’s essentially not able to prevent these kind of stories. Now, everything has to go through official Palace," the source said. "She doesn’t have her own publicist, she can’t make any comments on Twitter and she can’t reach out to him to tell him to stop speaking to the press. Her father’s comments have an effect on everything."
Those close to the royal family are confident Meghan can make it through this rough patch, difficult as it might be.
"There's a reason that Prince Charles calls her tungsten. There's a rod of steel that runs through Meghan," Nicholl said. "I think Meghan's strategy is to ride out the storm."
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. 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.
-
Jamie Lee Curtis Posed Topless on a Magazine Cover at 50 and People "Lost Their Minds," Apparently
Why are people like this?
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Don't Sleep on Sulfur for Acne
It’s stinky, but it works.
By Samantha Holender
-
Selena Gomez Shared Gorgeous Makeup-Free Selfies Feat. Her Natural Curls
Yes to this.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Is a "Textbook Capricorn," Astrologer Says
Can relate.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Royals Probably "Laughed" About Kim Kardashian Buying Princess Diana's Necklace, Expert Claims
It's probably not a big deal to them.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Likely "Shocked" by the "Negative Pushback" Over 'Spare,' Royal Expert Says
They thought it would be more like the aftermath of Oprah.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Diana Didn't Want to Move Away From England, Her Former Butler Claims
Obviously, we can't ever really know the truth.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
King Charles Will Not Hold "Peace Talks" With Harry and Meghan Before the Coronation, Royal Expert Claims
Oh.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Diana's Butler Responds to Prince Harry Referring to Him as "The Butler" in 'Spare'
Paul Burrell says he's confused and hurt.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Eugenie's New Baby Will Allow the Royal Family to "Put Behind Them a Year of Sorrow and Conflict," Astrologer Says
All good things!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry "Should Have Been Prince William's Wingman," Has Become His "Hitman" Instead, Royal Expert Says
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn