Meghan Markle's father 'stressed out' by paparazzi, says half-sibling

Meghan Markle's half-sister said Tuesday that their retired father is under an "unbelievable" amount of stress because of relentless pressure from reporters and paparazzi hounding him at his home in Mexico.

Samantha Markle told the Good Morning Britain TV show that Thomas Markle recently panicked while driving on the highway because he was being followed by numerous media cars, in what she called a "dangerous situation." She said reporters had also harassed him at his home and that he recently suffered a heart attack.

Thomas Markle, a retired cinematographer who worked in Hollywood for many years, is in his mid-70s. He is divorced from Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland.

"He was so stressed out. They rented the house next to him in Mexico, four or five of them, he can't open his blinds, he can't go anywhere without being followed," she said.

"Really, it's quite atrocious and intrusive, and I think it's highly unethical."

She gave no dates for when any of those events took place.

Doubts for attendance at Saturday's ceremony

There are now doubts about whether Thomas Markle plans to attend Saturday's royal wedding between his daughter and Prince Harry.

He had been expected to walk Meghan down the aisle at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle. But he told TMZ that he is having heart surgery on Wednesday morning.

It was not immediately possible to reach Thomas Markle for comment and it's not clear if he may change his plans again in the next few days.

Harry and Meghan on Monday night issued a statement asking for "understanding and respect" for Thomas Markle.

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Her father, according to TMZ, has been embarrassed by the accusation that, in exchange for large sums of money, he staged photographs showing him getting measured for his wedding suit and making other preparations.

In a tweet a few days ago, Samantha Markle said she was the one who suggested her father contact photographers to get positive press for the family but she did not mention that topic on Tuesday.

Palace officials said last week that Meghan's parents would have central roles in the wedding ceremony. Thomas Markle would walk his daughter down the aisle and her mother would drive with her daughter to the chapel.

In the days before the wedding, both of Meghan's parents had been expected to meet with Queen Elizabeth II — Harry's grandmother — and other senior royals, including Harry's father, Prince Charles.

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