Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha Markle speaks out on royal rifts after family loss
Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha Markle has spoken out over her troubled relationship with her sibling. Samantha, 60, is estranged from her paternal half-sibling Meghan.
She claimed Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry put a strain on the rest of the family - including Samantha's mother Roslyn, who died in October. Meghan also has a strained relationship with their dad Thomas Markle.
Now, Samantha has spoken publicly for the first time since the death of her mother. Speaking to Daily Mail, she claimed Meghan has 'missed opportunities'.
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Samantha said: "Meghan has no idea what she is missing out on because when my dad [Thomas Markle] goes, it will be too late. Believe me, I know. You can't get back that time. It leaves a hole in your heart.
"I don't know the Royal family. I'm just a human, watching from across the pond, but I couldn't believe it... My dad doesn't want Meghan to pay him back. But you want love from them because there is a pain in your heart if it isn't there.
"I didn't want my mom to die feeling she was alone, and not loved. I almost left it too late. They could both learn from me."
Meghan's family reportedly drifted apart in the years after her relationship with Prince Harry went public. Samantha said she fars Thomas, 80, has little time left, Mirror reports.
He has had two heart attacks and a stroke in recent years. Samantha previously told of her hurt when Meghan suggested Harry's clan was the big family she 'never had'.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit their royal life in 2020 and left the UK for the US, two years after they married. Mum-of-three Samantha said: "I never thought I would see Meghan do what she has done to the Royal Family.
"She's done what she did to her own family to so many other people, too. I knew my dad had suffered, but I thought she would stop at the Queen."
Meghan was reportedly close to Samantha when she grew up. She was born two years after Meghan's mum Doria Ragland, 68, married Thomas. Now, Samantha wants Meghan to get in touch with their father - but remains pessimistic.
She said: "If you accept an olive branch, you are asking to be hurt again. I think that would be weird. It would be hard to trust that she was doing it for the right reasons. I think what makes me sad now is there were so many missed opportunities for love and real family."