Meghan Markle’s father didn’t attend her first wedding to Trevor Engelson in 2011. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Camera IconMeghan Markle’s father didn’t attend her first wedding to Trevor Engelson in 2011. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas wasn’t at her first wedding

New York Post, staff writersNews Corp Australia Network

IT’S been generating global headlines for only a few months, but the rift between Meghan Markle and her dad may not be overly new.

Eagle-eyed royal watchers have pointed out that Thomas Markle Senior, who famously pulled out of attending the royal wedding at the last minute, also wasn’t at his daughter’s first wedding to movie producer Trevor Engelson in Jamaica in 2011.

Meghan and Engelson were married in front of around 100 family and friends — including the bride’s mum, Doria Ragland — at the Jamaica Inn in Ochos Rios in the Caribbean.

Meghan Markle with first husband, Trevor Engelson. Meghan’s dad did not attend the couple’s 2011 wedding.
Camera IconMeghan Markle with first husband, Trevor Engelson. Meghan’s dad did not attend the couple’s 2011 wedding. Credit: Getty Images

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Pictures of the wedding, which have been published in a US magazine, showed Meghan in a yellow bikini surrounded by equally casually clad friends, and surrounded by numerous beers and snacks.

Meghan’s mum Doria was at both her weddings. Photo: Steve Parsons/Pool/Getty Images
Camera IconMeghan’s mum Doria was at both her weddings. Photo: Steve Parsons/Pool/Getty Images Credit: Getty Images

Earlier this week the Daily Mail reported a source close to Megan acknowledging that the Duchess’ issues with her dad have been longstanding.

“Behaviour like his doesn’t happen overnight. Why do you think her parents got divorced in the first place?” the source reportedly told the Daily Mail.

“Meghan’s had to deal with a lot of self esteem issues growing up with a narcissist. She has tools to cope with emotional blackmail. She does pray for him.

“That’s Meghan. She does not have a bad bone in her body, but she’s not falling for her dad’s crocodile tears. She’s been down that road far too many times before.”

Happier days for Meghan and her dad.
Camera IconHappier days for Meghan and her dad. Credit: Supplied, Instagram

Meghan and Engelson separated in 2013, two years after their wedding, and divorced in August that year, citing irreconcilable differences.

Meghan embarked on a relationship with Harry in June 2016, but the prince has never met her dad in person, only ever speaking to him by phone.

Mr Markle claims he hung up on Prince Harry during a heated phone call in May. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Camera IconMr Markle claims he hung up on Prince Harry during a heated phone call in May. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) Credit: Getty Images

The Palace is also reportedly trying to figure out a strategy to deal with both Thomas and Samantha Markle, who have incessantly gabbed to the media.

Samantha Markle is headed for the Big Brother house.
Camera IconSamantha Markle is headed for the Big Brother house. Credit: Supplied, Instagram

Meanwhile, Thomas Markle refuses to relinquish his position in the spotlight, with new reports surfacing that he’s planning on releasing his own clothing line.

Meghan’s estranged father, not known as an overly snappy dresser, will soon launch a menswear collection, according to a tweet sent by his daughter Samantha Markle on Wednesday morning, reports the New York Post.

“So excited about my father’s new #clothing line for men!” Ms Markle wrote. “Will keep you posted!”

Harry and Meghan have kept silent about the new Duchess’ problematic family.
Camera IconHarry and Meghan have kept silent about the new Duchess’ problematic family. Credit: Getty Images, Karwai Tang/WireImage

Ms Markle, who famously helped her father fake the paparazzi photos that kickstarted the months-long, messy feud between the Markles and the royal family, has made her desire to cash in on her famous half-sibling clear.

Adding yet another headache for the royal family, it was announced that Meghan’s estranged half-sister will appear in the new series of Celebrity Big Brother in the UK.

“Let’s face it — we all have to survive. Money makes the world go round, so if you want to call that cashing in, that’s fine, but I think no one in media would refuse a paycheck for talking about the royal and, as a family, we’re not subject to royal protocol,” Ms Markle told Good Morning Britain in July.

Thomas Markle has not been able to stop blabbing about his famous daughter.
Camera IconThomas Markle has not been able to stop blabbing about his famous daughter. Credit: Supplied, ITV

“With all due respect, it’s not just Meghan. We’re entitled to share that,” she continued. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. It’s not disparaging. It’s not harmful.”

Originally published as Truth about Meghan’s first wedding