Meghan Markle’s dad defended by Princess Diana’s old bodyguard who claims Harry should have done MORE to protect him

PRINCESS Diana's old boydguard has leapt to the defence of Meghan Markle's dad by claiming that Prince Harry should have done MORE to protect him.

Speaking with Kate Thornton on Yahoo News' The Royal Box, Ken Wharfe, 69, said Harry should have 'insisted' aides were provided to help Thomas Markle navigate the publicity around his daughter's high-profile nupitals, as the prince understands press intrusion himself.

The retired Metropolitan Police inspector, who was in charge of Diana's security from 1987 until 1993, said: "He's not an unintelligent guy. He's been through the mill himself, he knows what press intrusion is like.

"He has a drawbridge and a portcullis to hide behind when they pursue him. Thomas Markle doesn't."

The former bodyguard spoke about 'the pursuing paparazzi' and the 'offers of money' - seemingly referring to the photos he staged for the paparazzi earlier this year. 

The 69-year-old added: "I don't think we should dismiss her father as someone whose made mistakes here, as an ogre. His behaviour are as a result of poor advice or no advice."

Mr Wharfe also said it should have been obvious to the royal household that problems with  the Duchess of Sussex's family could arise, even before the couple announced their engagement last December.

He explained that they should have seen future issues because Meghan's parents are "ordinary folk, divorced living in a foreign land and suddenly their daughter's marrying a prince."

Thomas, a retired lighting director, did not attend the wedding in May after suffering a heart attack. 

And he also mentioned Harry's own press scandals in the interview, and said the prince has brought negative press coverage on himself, such as when he was photographed wearing a Nazi uniform in 2005 and when he was snapped playing naked billiards in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2012.

On Tuesday, The Sun revealed that Meghan Markle has been devastated by Thomas Markle's outbursts — but hasn't been surprised.

The retired Hollywood lighting director, 74, has openly criticised the Royal Family in interviews and claims Meghan has cut him off but a source says 'nothing could be further from the truth.'

The Sun Online has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.

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