Meghan Markle’s father has slammed her and Prince Harry for “whining and complaining” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The 76-year-old spoke out after extracts of Finding Freedom, a biography about the royal couple, were released in The Times over the weekend.
Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have denied being involved with the book, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have written the biography “with the participation of those closest to the couple”.
The book will shed light on the couple’s departure from the Royal Family, and the events that led to them stepping down from their roles at the end of March.
Of course, the book will also detail Meghan’s rocky relationship with her father, after he was exposed for working with the paparazzi in the run up to their wedding in 2018.
Speaking to The Sun last night, Thomas criticised the timing of the book – as the world is still in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “This is the worst time in the world for them to be whining and complaining about anything — because people everywhere are suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic.”
“I love my daughter but I really don’t appreciate what she’s become right now.”
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Family is set for release on August 11.
Thomas’ latest comments about Meghan and Harry come amid her ongoing lawsuit against the Mail On Sunday.
The Duchess of Sussex is suing Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the UK Mail on Sunday, for printing a “private and confidential” letter she sent to her estranged father.
Meghan’s father received the letter in August 2018, months before sections of it were published in the UK Mail on Sunday and on the MailOnline in February, 2019.
The mother-of-one is seeking damages from Associated Newspapers Ltd for alleged misuse of private information, copyright infringement and breach of the Data Protection Act.
Associated Newspapers have defended the document’s publication by suggesting Meghan put the letter in the public domain by allegedly telling friends about it – who later spoke to People magazine.
However, the Duchess has insisted she was unaware that five close friends were planning to speak to People magazine about her strained relationship with Thomas, for an article published in February 2019.
The People magazine article, which was published on February 18, 2019, referred to letters exchanged between Meghan and her father Thomas.
Meghan’s legal battle against the publisher officially kicked off at the end of April as the first High Court hearing took place via video link – due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The virtual High Court hearing was a stepping stone to a potential full trial in late 2020 or early 2021.
During the hearing, Meghan’s barrister David Sherborne, who previously acted as Princess Diana’s lawyer, confirmed she’s willing to give evidence in court – if the case eventually goes to trial.
He said: “The defendant [Associated Newspapers] wants to cross-examine her [Meghan] as to whether that belief is reasonable or not – and they can do that.”
This means Meghan could come face-to-face with her estranged father, who is reportedly prepared to give evidence against his daughter in court.
Thomas Markle previously said he felt pressured to share the letter with the press, after it’s contents were allegedly misrepresented in the People article.
The 76-year-old told The Mail On Sunday: “I have to defend myself. I only released parts of the letter because other parts were so painful. The letter didn’t seem loving to me. I found it hurtful.”
