Thomas Markle rushed to hospital after a suspected stroke.

I've wondered if "Recollections may vary" is not against the Sussexes but rather quiet support for them. That those saying they are lying are the ones whose recollections are wrong.

wouldn't that turn the story on its head.

Something that any minority group understands. The impact and pain caused by discrimination in every area of their lives dismissed in one short sentence. Usually by ignorant enablers. You would think with emergeny conferences and expert advisors the response could have been a little more intellegent and thoughtful.

I guess even the Queen, meant to stand at the forefront of British at its best, as a privileged white woman at the top of the caliber just would never understand either.

Still, we have all seen the amount of rug sweeping being done by the royal family lately. So it is no suprise.

I bet they can’t wait to get that balcony. Recollections may vary, a wonderful understatement of someone telling porkies.

Oh yes, "recollections may vary", a rather posh version of a very old method to dismiss allegations of bigotry.... racism in this case.

I agree eazybee especially about the brilliance of the "recollections may vary" comment.

We do not know what went on behind closed doors, but we have the H & M version.

None of the people they sought to malign has made any public comment, other than the brilliant "recollections may vary."

VioletSky

I agree with Iam64 estrangement is painful for everyone involved.

We have no idea what wdnt on behind closed doors.

Imagine if all our personal lives were broadcast in the news by someone? Would we really be able to handle that perfectly? Wouldn't we want to address things said that may or may not be true?

Thank goodness that spotlight isnt on us for someone to make a profit out of painful situations

I agree with this too.

DillytheGardener

I don’t think she is obligated to see this ghastly man or her paternal side of the family at all.

Her half brother Thomas junior and his friends were smoking weed in the living room while she cried in her bedroom, at Thomas Markles house which is some pretty negligent parenting.

Her half sister’s own children won’t have anything to do with their mother.

Thomas jr and senior are estranged and Thomas jr was Arrested in 2017 for holding a gun to his fiancée’s head.

From reading about her upbringing it sounds like a chaotic childhood due to a dysfunctional family. They are all estranged from each other and I think Meghan is well rid.

(I’m not a fan of MM, but don’t dislike her either. This nonsense about her being a bad daughter I think is none of the public’s business. Her father appears to me a nasty self absorbed type, and given the outcome of his other children I’m doubtful he was a stable parent.)

I agree with this and haven't read any comments thereafter

Her Dad and his family sound dysfunctional at best. I don't wish him ill but I don't think he needs to be defended either.

IMO any bad publicity this poor man's state of health brings
H & M is on their own heads. When you court publicity and sympathy to the extent they have, and have included the public trashing of your family/in laws, the genie is out of the bottle so to speak.

M claimed that she'd worked to support herself through further education when in fact her father had supported her financially. Does she owe him anything for doing so? Only the recognition that he did so, rather than making out she did it all herself.

I agree with Iam64 estrangement is painful for everyone involved.

We have no idea what wdnt on behind closed doors.

Imagine if all our personal lives were broadcast in the news by someone? Would we really be able to handle that perfectly? Wouldn't we want to address things said that may or may not be true?

Thank goodness that spotlight isnt on us for someone to make a profit out of painful situations

MawtheMerrier

^I think some people think that children owe their parents something^
Well actually I do.
Not necessarily in relation to this particular case, but as it happens I understand Thomas Markle did pay for his daughters education and his career in film production played a large part in promoting or developing his daughter’s ambitions .

I understand Thomas Markle did pay for his daughters education and his career in film production played a large part in promoting or developing his daughter’s ambitions.

I paid for my son and DIL to emigrate and start a new and better life.

They owe me nothing. I did it because I wanted to and had the wherewithal to do it. They were appreciative and have made a success of their lives. And that's the end of it, they are not beholden to me, nor do I expect any 'return' for the gesture.

IMO, once you've 'flown the nest' you and your parents are individuals in their own right. I chose to have a child, and he is not obligated to me for being born or for taking on the responsibilities of parenthood. He's an affectionate son, always has been, and I'm an affectionate mother. But I expect no more from him than the respect he'd give to anyone else.

Thomas Markle helped his daughter, good for him, but that doesn't give him ownership of her.

... and none of us know what goes on behind the screeching media headlines. We are not privy to all the exchanges between the various members of this family, telephone calls, letters, emails, messages, etc... we only know the bits that the media gets hold of, or the opinion(s) of someone or other who is "close" to the family and has formed a view depending on their particular like / dislike of it.

The press will milk this for all it's worth.

I think that generally (and by this I am not speaking solely about Gransnet members), there are those who have no particular interest in stories about Meghan and Harry; those who think that Meghan and Harry have had a rough ride, mainly as a result of media coverage, and those who feel that Meghan and Harry have brought it on themselves as a result of seeking publicity when they claimed that they wanted a quiet life out of the public eye. I do accept that this is not a rigid interpretation and different circumstances blur opinions.

I consider that I belong to the first group and generally believe that most of us make both wrong and right decisions which cause others to form opinions of us that in turn may be right or wrong.

Personally, I don’t know any member of the Markle family, or the Royal family or their friends. I do think that here are far too many ‘sources close to….’ and ‘Royal watchers’ Who regularly pontificate in the media, and realistically it is only upon the views of these so called experts that most people are able to form opinions.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Sitting on my neutral island, I think far far too much is written on this subject, but as far as I can understand, Harry has never met his father- in- law which does strike me as odd, and exhorting the world in general to have compassion does seem marked contrast to some of Harry and Meghan’s actions towards both their families.

The Markle family have not covered themselves in glory (save Doris Ragland) who very sensibly has not made any press statements, though Thomas Markle admits he made the wrong decisions prior to the wedding.

Unfortunately I cannot work up a great deal of enthusiasm for the Jubilee, but I do hope that Thomas’s unfortunate illness and Harry and Meghan’s reaction to it will not overshadow the festivities, which I sincerely hope will be enjoyed by all.

I wonder do some people regard children as some sort of investment which means if you put money into them by paying for their education you are entitled to so much in return?
I don't know what went on between these two. There is no doubt the MM has managed to achieve some success. That seems to have made her a target for some people. It is a funny world when the only role acceptable for women is that of a victim, and any success they manage brings with it criticism and condemnation.
TM may be very ill, MM may or may not choose to visit him. I just feel it's none of my business.

JenniferEccles, do. You ever read the Estrangement threads on here? One thing I find ever present is the pain felt by estranged parents and estranged adult children. Rarely do either side share a similar estrangement story, that doesn’t stop it hurting. Loss is Loss however it happens. We can’t and don’t know the ‘truth’ any of the people involved experience

'But the nation will look after the boys now' Or whatever nonsense it was.

The purpose of this thread was to comment on a news item, in the same way that everyone starts a thread in the News and Politics section. Did that really need spelling out?
I had noticed that as far as I could see there wasn’t another thread discussing this.
There are differing opinions expressed on here just as there are on all threads.

My view is that it would be shameful if his daughter couldn’t put their differences behind her and be with her father when he needs her.
Yes it has been said that the Sussexes are planning to come here for the Jubilee, but we are all well aware of Meghan’s feelings towards the Royal family.

Lucca

Blossoming

I have no emotional or other investment in this man whom I have never met. I wish anyone who suffers something like a severe stroke a good recovery.

I do wonder what the purpose of this thread is, I suspect it may be another opportunity to criticise his estranged daughter and her husband.

You think ?!

It seems to be a national sport. The only people not entitled to compassion

Bit of a difference between having a debt of gratitude towards good parents which can be expressed as love and gratitude and that be good enough

And

Parents who think their children owe them something and are obligated to whatever demands as a result.

Blossoming

I have no emotional or other investment in this man whom I have never met. I wish anyone who suffers something like a severe stroke a good recovery.

I do wonder what the purpose of this thread is, I suspect it may be another opportunity to criticise his estranged daughter and her husband.

You think ?!

I have no emotional or other investment in this man whom I have never met. I wish anyone who suffers something like a severe stroke a good recovery.

I do wonder what the purpose of this thread is, I suspect it may be another opportunity to criticise his estranged daughter and her husband.

Tina Brown is an accomplished and experienced journalist; she would not quote something for publication she could not verify.

to from

My husband underwent angioplasty a few years ago, a procedure where stents are used to widen blocked arteries, he was wiped out for quite a while after. Thomas Markle had the same operation just prior to the wedding which of course would have precluded him to travelling by air. In any case, recovery is far from immediate. To be berated in the immediate aftermath of that, still in a hospital bed, from a never met prospective son in law prioritising a vent of self indulgent anger at that moment in time was certainly an eye opener. To be admonished and probably not up to a two way discussion on the subject when not in a good state physically could have well hindered his recovery. He's certainly not a well man now after this latest set back.

Sparklefizz

^Tina Brown interviewed Thomas Markle, of whom she speaks highly. Apparently Prince Harry rang him in his hospital bed and berated him at length for the distress he had caused Meghan after the wedding.^

That's shocking! So much for compassion.

Not this time thought. That was some time before 2020.

If it happened at all.

Tina Brown's book is called 'The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor--the Truth and the Turmoil'. I'm guessing that stirring things up is good for sales.