Thomas Markle accuses Meghan of 'cheapening' the royal family
Thomas Markle has accused his daughter of "cheapening" the royal family.
The 75-year-old director of photography has spoken out about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's decision to quit as members of the royal family, saying the loved-up couple are "turning into lost souls".
Speaking to Channel 5 in a new TV documentary, he explained: "They are turning it [the royal family] into a Walmart with a crown on."
Thomas described the royal family as "one of the greatest long-living institutions ever".
However, he accused his daughter and Prince Harry - who are parents to eight-month-old son Archie - of making the royal institution appear "shabby".
In the new documentary, titled Thomas Markle: My Story, he says: "When they got married they took on an obligation, and the obligation is to be part of the royals and to represent the royals. And it would be foolish for them not to.
“This is one of the greatest long-living institutions ever. They are destroying it, they are cheapening it, making it shabby ... they shouldn't be doing this.”
Thomas also claimed his daughter has turned her back on "every girl's dream" by deciding to distance herself from the royals.
”Every young girl wants to become a princess and she got that and now she's tossing that away ... it looks like she's tossing that away for money,” Thomas said.
Harry and Meghan - who have been married since May 2018 - have agreed to relinquish their public funding and repay the cost of the refurbishment work on their home.
Thomas’ words come after it was announced yesterday that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will no longer be working members of Britain's monarchy and they will pay their own way in life as they embark on an independent future, Buckingham Palace said.
They will also no longer use their "Royal Highness" titles, the palace said in an announcement that sought to end turmoil in the monarchy sparked earlier this month when the couple announced they wanted to reduce their official duties and spend more time in North America.
The queen and senior family members met last week to discuss the situation and have been in discussions with officials on how this stepping back would work in practice for Harry, 35, and his American wife, former actress Meghan, 38.
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family," Queen Elizabeth said in a statement issued by the palace, referring to the couple's baby son.
"I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life."
The queen said she was "particularly proud" of how quickly Meghan had become one of the family.
The couple married in May 2018 in a lavish ceremony at her home in Windsor Castle, west of London.
Words by Bang Showbiz and AAP
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