Meghan Markle's Estranged Family Shares The Photo That She 'Never Wanted the World to See'

A rare photo of Meghan Markle doing the rounds on social media features her as a young woman, smiling candidly at a dinner table. The Duchess of Sussex appears at ease in the image, sporting a low-cut white crossover blouse with her hair tied back into a messy bun. The embarrassing part? Well, she had a napkin tucked in the front. The photo, shared in the lead-up to a special tell-all interview featuring her father and half-siblings, went viral when journalist Taylor Auerbach shared it on X (formerly Twitter). In a now-deleted post, Auerbach claimed it was a photo Meghan 'never wanted the world to see.'

In the interview hosted by 7NEWS Australia, Thomas Markle, Samantha Markle, and Thomas Jr. unveiled a collection of rare and unseen photographs from Meghan’s early years, as reported by Irish Star. The interview was part of a special episode released ahead of King Charles III’s coronation. Journalist Auerbach fueled intrigue online when he shared the teaser of the interview, which also featured Meghan taking a victory lap around her school field after being crowned homecoming queen. He also posted behind-the-scenes images from the production, boldly claiming the special episode would reveal the explosive truth about one of the world’s most famous women and the family she left behind.

The interview touched on Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry, while also diving into speculation about how her life would have unfolded without her father’s influence. In a harsh statement, Samantha said, "She would still be a waitress if it wasn't for Dad." She also did not hold back when discussing Meghan's marriage to Harry. She said, "They are unhealthy for each other. This is a toxic relationship." Meghan’s family suggested that these revelations about her past could challenge the public’s view of the Duchess. Her father, Thomas—who was absent from the royal Sussex wedding—voiced his regrets, openly questioning, “How can I fix this?”

In the lead-up to her wedding, Meghan's relationship with her father Thomas grew strained as he made several harsh remarks to the media. On one occasion, he said, "What riles me is Meghan's sense of superiority. She would be nothing without me. I made her the Duchess she is today. Everything that Meghan is, I made her." As reported by E! News, he offered proof by pointing to the costs he paid for her private education and an international trip. He slammed, "Did I get any recognition for it? Any thanks? She doesn't even speak to me now. How cold is that?" Their relationship seemed sour even before she joined the royal family, despite his claims that they had no problems previosuly.

While what caused the feud remains debated, one thing is for sure, Thomas did in fact play a pivotal role in nurturing Meghan’s creativity. During her time in the theater program at Immaculate Heart, he stepped in to build stage sets—a contribution that, according to a former classmate, continued even after Meghan had moved on. Despite their divorce, Meghan’s parents made a conscious effort to maintain stability in her life. She primarily lived with her mother, Doria Ragland, a yoga instructor and social worker.