On July 29, a bombshell story dropped when Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle, unleashed a scathing tell-all interview with The Mail on Sunday. In the interview, Thomas accused the royal family of cutting off all communication between him and his daughter, the newly-minted Duchess of Sussex. If you're thinking that surely this must be the final blow in their already rocky relationship, well, it’s not quite that simple. Let’s dive deeper into this family drama.
Here at Life & Style, we reached out to two experts in family dynamics—neither of whom have personally treated Meghan or Thomas—to get their take on the situation. Their insights might surprise you.
Is Reconciliation Possible?
Laura Roemer, LCSW, MFA, a Clinical Social Worker and Therapist, believes that even in a situation as dire as this, reconciliation between the estranged father and daughter is not entirely off the table. “While Thomas Markle’s actions may stem from deep-seated sadness, what we’ve seen so far has been mostly bitterness, which has only driven his daughter further away,” Roemer explained. “If Thomas truly wants to mend this relationship, he needs to show respect for the boundaries Meghan has set, both physically and emotionally.”
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Roemer continued, “Thomas would need to express genuine compassion and contrition toward Meghan, acknowledging the painful history they share and humbly admitting his role in their strained relationship. Only through humility, a sincere desire for closeness, and respect for Meghan’s choices can they begin to open lines of communication and work toward healing the rift.”
Advice from Another Expert
In addition to Laura Roemer’s perspective, Meredith Shirley, MS, LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the Practice Director at Manhattan Relationship Counseling and Psychotherapy, shared her thoughts on the matter. “If I were advising Meghan—or anyone dealing with a parent behaving in such a way—I’d recommend addressing the issue privately, one-on-one,” Shirley began. “Unfortunately, in today’s tech-driven world, people often feel more validated when they criticize others behind a keyboard or through a third party, rather than facing the person directly. This indirect approach may provide temporary comfort, but it rarely resolves the underlying issues.”
Shirley highlighted the unique challenges Meghan faces as part of a high-profile family. “When you're part of a large, well-publicized family like the royals, it can be easier to make derogatory remarks because the target feels distant and untouchable,” she explained. “This dynamic is a common phenomenon in family systems, known as 'triangulation.' It happens when tension between two people in a family pulls in a third person to alleviate some of that stress. In the Markle family’s case, this is happening on a much larger scale, with the media often serving as the third party.”
Breaking the Triangle
Shirley emphasized the importance of direct communication in breaking this cycle. “If Meghan were to address her father directly and privately, it could help eliminate the triangle,” she said. “Direct conversation typically leads to more lasting results and clarity. It allows both parties to express their feelings honestly and work toward understanding each other better.”
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