Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister Samantha insists that the Duchess should repair ties with her father’s side of the family, now that she has welcomed her firstborn with Prince Harry.
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a photocall with their newborn son, in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle, Windsor, south England, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Image: Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP
Samantha, 54, lives in Virginia and reacted to the news on Daily Mail TV on Tuesday, May 7.
She said she was “excited” for the new member of the family, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
“What I think is incredible is that it’s a great moment historically and although the adults have a lot of water under the bridge, I would really like to see everyone reach out,” she said. “We’ve extended the olive branch and now it is Meghan’s turn.”
Last October, Samantha appeared on British talk show “Jeremy Vine,” where she claimed that she and Meghan last spoke to each other three years, and not a decade, before.
“We’re all welcoming the baby—Markles, Raglands, Sussexes, Windsors,” she said. “In terms of the gene pool, we’ve all made a contribution to this wonderful little boy who will probably grow up to be an exceptional man and we’d like to treat this as if we’re all a big family.”
She said she would like to meet him, explaining, “It would be nice not to react to what we’ve heard in the news but to personally meet him and let him judge us for himself.”
“We’re excited for Meg and Harry—I am really excited for her. I love her, she’s my baby sister and it doesn’t matter what we’ve all said back and forth but she’s got to do the right thing,” she said.
“I just want to say Meg, you’ve got a world here and family here [in the US] that’s excited for you.”
She said she hoped Meghan could include her father Thomas Markle Sr. in his grandchild’s life. The Duchess and her father’s relationship frayed prior to her 2018 wedding when he was found to have staged paparazzi photos.
“I want Meg to be part of his life, I want Meg to be able to share this beautiful time with him in whatever way she can,” said Samantha.
“I think it’s important for her too. I hope something sticks with her—that she decided to do the right thing for my dad. Life is short and we’re family. I hope she decides to do the right thing this time.”
Last January, Samantha said she would release a tell-all about her relationship with Meghan in a two-part book titled “In the Shadows of the Duchess.”
READ: Meghan Markle’s half-sister to release two books around Duchess’ due date
In her private Twitter account, she has been known to make defamatory comments to her sister and the royal family. For instance, in January, she claimed that Meghan must have gotten a surrogate.
Following the news of the royal baby, Thomas Markle Sr. issued a statement from his Mexico home, as per the Daily Mail on Tuesday.
“I’m delighted to hear that mother and child are doing well. I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity and honour,” he said.
“GOD bless the child and I wish him health and happiness, and my congratulations to my lovely daughter Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, and GOD save the Queen.”
In February, friends of Meghan anonymously told People that she tried to reach out to her father after her wedding. However, Thomas requested that their reconciliation come with a photo op, which put off Meghan because she did not want the media involved in their private issues. Niña V. Guno /ra
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