Since Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, married into the British Royals, her dad’s side of the family has kept tabloid writers busy. The Markles’ never-ending grievances against Meghan and each other could fill a book. Most of the mainstream media tuned out of the whole sideshow years ago.
But now Meghan’s dad, Thomas Markle Sr., is under investigation for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material. His son turned him in, his daughters are divided, and his first ex-wife might have tried to expose it all back in 2019. Now Meghan’s niece, Noelle Rasmussen, has resurfaced to back her late grandmother’s version of events. The Markle family saga no longer feels fringe.
Even before the new allegations, this family tree was replete with dark details: arrests, lawsuits, feuds, drug use, and shifting stories that sometimes don’t add up. Here’s a refresher on Meghan’s dad’s side of the family, their criminal records, and their dealings with the media since Meghan made them all famous.