Princess Diana would have put Meghan Markle ‘at ease’ over her ‘dysfunctional family’, claims royal expert
A ROYAL expert has claimed that Princess Diana would have helped put Meghan Markle “at ease” over her fractured relationship with her “dysfunctional family”.
The late princess had a strained relationship with her mum, Frances Shand Kydd, meanwhile Meghan has reportedly cut out dad Thomas Markle after she became a royal.
Former press secretary Dickie Arbiter, who worked for Charles and Diana, told the Daily Mail: “Meghan has a past and a dysfunctional family.
“She’s been married before and worked in a business that’s pretty fickle, so Diana would have put her at ease and told her not to take any notice, that she’d had the media all her life.”
He added that the pair would have got along well, especially as Diana knew how the showbiz world works, similar to former Suits actress Meghan.
Dickie added: “It’s very difficult to shed 15 years of being in showbiz overnight. It will happen in time and Diana would have been a good guide for her.”
The Duchess of Sussex, 37, is said to have barely been in contact with her former lighting director dad Thomas Markle since she tied the knot with Prince Harry last May.
Tensions are thought to be running high after Meghan’s dad staged paparazzi photos and gave a string of controversial interviews, including likening the Royal Family to Scientologists because of their “cult-like” secrecy.
Relations soured further after Thomas released excerpts from a private and personal letter Meghan sent him last August.
Meghan’s leaked letter reveals how 74-year-old Thomas broke her heart “into a million pieces” by badmouthing the Royal Family and her marriage to Prince Harry.
It’s very difficult to shed 15 years of being in showbiz overnight. It will happen in time and Diana would have been a good guide for her.
Former press secretary Dickie Arbiter
Princess Diana had her own struggles with her mum Frances, shortly before she died in 1997.
In an interview several years ago, Princess Diana’s butler and friend, Paul Burrell recalled a telephone conversation the princess had with her mum.
It was said to be about Diana’s relationships with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan and businessman Gulu Lalvani.
“I heard her call, ‘Paul, come quick’. She was hanging over the banister shouting down,” Burrell told the Mirror.
“She waved me over with her hand. I joined her on the floor cross-legged and stuck close beside her. I leant my ear as near to the phone as possible and listened to the conversation – albeit one-way.
“It was the slurring voice of Mrs Frances Shand Kydd. What I heard was a torrent of abuse, swearing and upsetting innuendo towards the Princess and towards the male company she was keeping.
“It was a hate-filled personal attack on the men and their religious beliefs.”
Burrell went on to explain that Diana put the phone down, and vowed never to speak to her mother again.
At Diana’s inquest, Burrell was asked for details about the phone conversations he had listened to.
Initially, he replied: “Respectfully that’s not very kind to a lady who’s no longer here.”
However, on further probing, Burrell explained: “Well, she called the princess a whore.”
Burrell also explained that Diana and Frances – who passed away in 2004 aged 68 – never did speak again.
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Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland was the only family member to attend her wedding in May, although she was left off the guest list for her recent lavish baby shower in New York.
Meanwhile, the last time Meghan’s half sister Samantha Markle attempted to reach out to her sibling, she was turned away by security after showing up at Kensington Palace uninvited in October.
Samantha first hit out at her famous half-sister after her romance with Prince Harry was revealed, branding her a “social climber” who is “not fit to be a royal”.
Following the birth of baby Archie, new aunt Samantha said it is Meghan’s “turn” to reach out to her estranged family.