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Home / Lifestyle

Royal Wedding: Backlash over Meghan's 'weird' statement about father

Daily Mail
17 May, 2018 08:05 PM3 mins to read

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Meghan Markle’s half sister Samantha has reportedly been hospitalised after an alleged confrontation with paparazzi.

Online critics have questioned the wording of Meghan Markle's statement concerning her father's absence at the royal wedding.

The bride-to-be, 36, broke her silence as her father's continued medical treatment means he won't be able to walk her down the aisle at Windsor Castle.

In a statement released by Kensington Palace, the TV star said: "Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.

Meghan's father went back and forth publicly on whether or not he would attend his daughter's wedding. Photo / Getty Images
Meghan's father went back and forth publicly on whether or not he would attend his daughter's wedding. Photo / Getty Images
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"I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday."

But no sooner had Kensington Palace released the statement, than some had started to question its wording.

One Twitter user said the statement suggested Meghan was already "suppressing emotions like a proper British Royal".

Emma Gritt added: "'I have always cared for my father" - what is she? A droid? She can't even say she loves her own dad?'

She said that, if the statement was written by an aide in Kensington Palace, then Meghan should be writing in her own words.

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Another Twitter user responded: '''I always cared for my father', come on Meghan where's the word love!"

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton tweeted: "Interesting wording. She says I have always 'cared' for my father, not LOVED."

Very interesting wording! Meghan Markle says she’s always ‘cared’ for her father in new statement, not LOVED. https://t.co/v7PAJUn6yQ#RoyalWedding #RoyalWedding2018 #HarryAndMeghan #MeghanAndHarry #MeghanMarkle #PrinceHarry

— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) May 17, 2018

Others were supportive of Meghan, insisting she is in a difficult position.

On Twitter user wrote: 'I think no matter how she worded it people would read too much into it. Under the circumstances I think it was tastefully done.'

Discover more

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17 May 08:28 AM
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How the British press is reporting on the royal wedding

17 May 12:00 AM
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18 May 12:21 AM
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Hawkesby: Why has the Royal family left Meghan's family floundering?

17 May 06:40 PM

Another added: "She's in an impossible position, no statement - more speculation, a statement and everyone's picking that apart. Unless you're her how can anyone really know about her relationship - he wasn't part of her life for a long time."

Ms Markle's comment that she has always "cared" for her father may be interpreted by some as alluding to this private support she, and Harry, have been giving Mr Markle.

Duncan Larcombe, author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story, told Harper's Bazaar: "That is putting an end to speculation and accusations that Harry and Meghan didn't offer a barrier of protection around Thomas Markle... She's saying "cared for", and that means, 'I did try my best'."

e palace's handling of the royal wedding has been questioned this week, with critics suggesting more should have been done to help Meghan's father, Thomas.

The reclusive former TV lighting director was embroiled in controversy after allegedly being caught staging photographs with the paparazzi.

Meanwhile Meghan's half-brother and half-sister have been openly criticising her after they were not invited to the big day.

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Some commentators have said the Royal Family should have done more to look after Meghan's family and get other relatives onside in advance of the big day.

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