Meghan Markle’s father Thomas claims photo agency deal was NOT for money but to show he’s not a beer-swilling recluse
MEGHAN Markle's dad Thomas has insisted he staged pictures of himself in a bid to change his image as a beer-swilling recluse ahead of the Royal Wedding - and NOT for the money.
The 73-year-old was caught up in controversy after he posed for paparazzi photographs in the run-up to his daughter's big day this Saturday, with the snaps reportedly being sold to news outlets around the world for £100,000.
The celeb website has also claimed that Mr Markle did not strike the deal with a photo agency for money but instead to re-cast his public image ahead of the big day so the public would think of him in a more positive manner.
He is reported to have been unhappy after previous pictures of him "buying beer, looking dishevelled and reclusive" has made him "look like a lush".
The beers are reported to have been intended for guards at his home, added.
What we know so far...
- Meghan Markle's dad Thomas will reportedly undergo major heart surgery at 7.30am on Wednesday and WON'T attend the Royal Wedding on Saturday
- He'd earlier said he wouldn't be attending for fear of embarrassing Meghan and the royal family over staged paparazzi photos
- The 73-year-old suffered a heart scare last week which he has reportedly blamed on an open letter by his son Tom Jr
- Mr Markle backed Meghan's mum Doria Ragland to give her away instead after he pulled out
- Prince Harry was said to blame himself for the upset just days before the wedding
- But despite the chaos Kensington Palace sources said the wedding would still go ahead
- Piers Morgan slammed Meghan's half-sister Samantha, saying she had been a media "vulture", after she appeared on GMB to defend her dad
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "This is a deeply personal moment for Ms Markle in the days before her wedding.
"She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr Markle in this difficult situation."
Meghan's half-sister Samantha Markle attempted to shoulder some of the blame when she earlier tweeted it was her idea for Mr Markle to pose for what she described as "positive photos" in a bid to combat his "bad" portrayal in the press, but stated it was not done for money.
"The bad press over my father doing staged photos is my fault.
"The media was unfairly making him look bad so I suggested he do positive photos for his benefit and the benefit of the royal family.
"We had no idea he would be taken advantage of. It was not for money."
It is now not clear who will walk Meghan down the aisle, although the 73-year-old has reportedly said he is happy for his ex-wife and Meghan's mother Doria to take on the role.
The Mail On Sunday reported the story at the weekend claiming the images were staged and published CCTV footage stills of the US actress' father in the internet cafe with a photographer.
The pictures were published earlier this month in a number of newspapers and news websites showing Mr Markle in a series of Royal Wedding related activities, apparently unaware he was being snapped.
Mr Markle was pictured being measured for what was thought to be his wedding suit, looking at screen pictures of Ms Markle and Harry while in an internet cafe, and reading a picture book about Britain while having a coffee.
TMZ first reported that Meghan's father had pulled out of the wedding.
The site stated that it had spoken to the US actress' father, saying: "He's now decided not to go because he doesn't want to embarrass the Royal Family or his daughter."
The statement issued by Kensington Palace indicates the concern Harry and Meghan feel for Mr Markle who is likely to be at the centre of intense media scrutiny in the coming days.
The former lighting director was due to meet the Queen with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland in the days leading up to the wedding being staged at St George's Chapel at the castle.
And at the same event he would have been introduced to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Meghan's father met her mother on the set of the US soap General Hospital, where he worked as a lighting director when she was a temp in the studio. They divorced when Ms Markle was six.
Although she lived with her mother in Los Angeles, Ms Markle also spent a great deal of time with her father and is said to be close to him.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.