Thomas Markle accuses Meghan of 'cheapening' the Royal Family with dispute

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex leaving after their visit to Canada House, central London, to meet with Canada's High Commissioner to the UK, Janice Charette, as well as staff, to thank them for the warm hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada. Picture date: Tuesday January 7, 2020. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire PA
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will step back from royal duties this year. (PA)

The Duchess of Sussex’s father has accused her of “cheapening” the royal family with her and Prince Harry’s decision to “step back” from royal duties.

Speaking in an upcoming documentary for Channel 5, Thomas Markle, 75, said Meghan was "throwing away every girl's dream for money”.

In the special programme Thomas Markle: My Story, he also said of the royal couple: "They are turning it [the Royal Family] into a Walmart with a crown on."

"When they got married they took on an obligation, and the obligation is to be part of the Royals and to represent the Royals. And it would be foolish for them not to,” The Sun quoted Mr Markle as saying.

KING'S LYNN, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 12: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Queen Elizabeth II departs in her Bentley car after attending Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on January 12, 2020 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
The Queen expressed her gratitude to Meghan and Harry in an announcement. (Getty)

"This is one of the greatest long-living institutions ever. They are destroying it, they are cheapening it, making it shabby… they shouldn’t be doing this."

He went on: "With Meghan and Harry separating from the Royals… it’s disappointing because she actually got every girl’s dream.

"Every young girl wants to become a princess and she got that and now she’s tossing that away… it looks like she’s tossing that away for money."

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It comes after the Sussexes announced they will stop carrying out royal duties from the spring, no longer use HRH and will repay the taxpayers’ millions spent on their Berkshire home.

Harry and Meghan said in a statement on Saturday, issued on their behalf by Buckingham Palace, that under the agreement they understood they were “required” to step back from royal duties.

The announcement marks the conclusion of talks about their future with senior members of the family and royal aides.

The Queen issued an emotional statement, saying she recognised the “challenges” they had faced over the past year, and added: “I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.

“It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”

The couple’s spokeswoman issued a statement on their behalf saying: “As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from royal duties, including official military appointments.

“They will no longer receive public funds for royal duties.

“With the Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations.

“While they can no longer formally represent the Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”

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