Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Modern Twinsets
    • October Books
    • 2026 Beauty Awards
    • 'Carrie'
    • Aritzia New Arrivals
    • Top-Handle Bags
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    Meghan Markle's Dad Just Compared the Royal Family to a Cult

    Meghan Markle's estranged father, Thomas Markle, compared the royal family to a cult in his latest interview. Thomas has consistently alienated himself from the royal family since missing the royal wedding in May.

    By Kayleigh Roberts
    Published 18 August 2018 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Prince Harry visit to Cardiff Castle
    (Image credit: WPA Pool)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Today in horrible things Thomas Markle says, Meghan Markle's 74-year-old father has compared the royal family to a cult. Because that's a surefire way to win over your estranged in-laws?

    In his latest interview, Thomas talked to The Sun (and also maybe did a photo shoot? But nothing he does can surprise us at this point, right?) from his home in Rosario, Mexico.

    RELATED STORY

    Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Attend Anzac Day Services

    (Image credit: Getty images)

    The Royal Family Is In "Crisis" Over Thomas Markle

    "They are either like Scientologists or the Stepford family. If they hear anybody say anything they just lock the doors. They need to speak up!" he said. "They are cult-like — like Scientology — because they are secretive. They close the door, pull the shades down and put their fingers in their ears so they don’t have to hear."

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    This latest blast against the royal family comes after an interview with the Daily Mail (which, for what it's worth, Thomas insisted would be his last interview ever), in which Thomas admitted to lying to and then hanging up on Prince Harry in the wake of his staged paparazzi photo scandal.

    "I’m not mad at Harry. I’m not mad at Meghan," he said at the time. "I love them. I wish them well. But as for the rest of it, f*ck it. I’m done."

    You may like
    • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Christmas Meghan and Harry Will Focus on One Relative This Christmas
    • Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has red hair and a short beard and wears a suit and tie and attends the Kyiv Security Forum, in Kyiv on April 23, 2026 Prince Harry Refuses to "Pull Focus From the Royal Family"
    • Prince WIlliam walking next to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Royal Expert Claims William and Harry Can't Avoid Each Other Forever

    Clearly, Thomas is not done, of course. After the photo scandal, Thomas missed the royal wedding, officially citing health issues (although, some sources close to Meghan claim those were faked as well). Since then, he's given several tell-all interviews which have reportedly (and completely understandably) put a great deal of strain on his relationship with Meghan and the rest of the royal family.

    The only cure for this rift is probably public silence and private apologies from Thomas, but that doesn't seem likely any time soon.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Explore More
    Meghan Markle Thomas Markle
    Kayleigh Roberts
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Editor at Marie Claire

    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.

    Read more
    Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has red hair and a short beard and wears a suit and tie and attends the Kyiv Security Forum, in Kyiv on April 23, 2026
    Royals Prince Harry Refuses to "Pull Focus From the Royal Family"
    By Amy Mackelden
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Christmas
    Royals Meghan and Harry Will Focus on One Relative This Christmas
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Charles Spencer in a navy jacket standing in front of paintings
    Royals Charles Spencer Says People Underestimate the Royal Family's "Serious Power"
    By Kristin Contino
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Prince William and Carole Middleton attend Royal Ascot 2024 on June 19, 2024 in Ascot, England.
    Royals Princess Kate's Mother Was Prince William's 'Rock' When "Everything Was Falling Apart"
    Prince William and Princess Charlotte attend the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on August 1, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
    Royals Prince William Was Asked to Help a Little Girl Become Princess Charlotte’s New Pen Pal
     
     
    Prince William putting his hand on Princess Kate's back
    Royals Prince William and Princess Kate Lean on One "Solid" Family Member
    Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit the Royal Children's Hospital on April 14, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
    Royals Harry and Meghan's First Joint U.K. Appearance Has a Connection to Their Past
     
     
    Latest in News
    Prince William and Carole Middleton attend Royal Ascot 2024 on June 19, 2024 in Ascot, England.
    Royals Princess Kate's Mother Was Prince William's 'Rock' When "Everything Was Falling Apart"
    Gigi Hadid walks the runway for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025 on October 15, 2025 in New York City.
    Culture The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Is Days Away—Here's How to Watch for Free
     
     
    Prince William and Princess Charlotte attend the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on August 1, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
    Royals Prince William Was Asked to Help a Little Girl Become Princess Charlotte’s New Pen Pal
    Zoë Kravitz styled Ugg slippers with her signature purple scarf in NYC with Riley Keough
    Celebrity Style Zoë Kravitz Gives Her Beloved Ballet Flats an Overdue Day Off in Favor of $130 Ugg Slippers
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.