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Thomas Markle's fundraiser has raised him nearly £53,000, an amount that has caused considerable controversy. The online fundraiser, created by Lady Colin Campbell, was set up to mark Thomas Markle's 78th birthday and was purportedly designed to show him that "there are still people in the world with good hearts, good values and good intentions." However, many see the large sum of money raised as inappropriate given Thomas Markle's history of giving unflattering interviews about his daughter, Meghan Markle, and claims of continuously exploiting his relationship with her for monetary gain.
While Mr. Markle has stated all he wants is for his daughter to contact him again and for him to meet his grandchildren, his conduct in the media has clearly damaged that possibility. Meghan fell out with her father around the time of her 2018 royal wedding to Prince Harry over staged paparazzi photos. Since then, Thomas Markle has done numerous interviews with outlets like ITV and the Daily Mail where he has shared private letters from Meghan and made accusations about her behavior. While a father's desire to meet his daughter and grandchildren is understandable, raising over £53,000 for a man who many feel has exploited his daughter for publicity is concerning given the many social issues in the UK that could have benefitted from such funds.
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At a time when homelessness and poverty are severely impacting many in Britain, the large sum raised for Thomas Markle through a public fundraiser has drawn criticism. Some find it perplexing that over £53,000 has been crowdsourced for a man who seems to continually speak out publicly against his daughter through the media. If Thomas Markle were genuinely interested in reconciling with Meghan privately rather than conducting interviews that paint her in an unflattering light, it's possible she may be more open to communication. But his actions so far suggest exploitation of their relationship for financial gain and media attention despite the hurt it likely causes Meghan and her husband.
Some of the renewed criticism against Thomas Markle in the British tabloid media has also coincided with other news involving other royals. For example, Kate Middleton was reported to be cancelling her family's annual trip to the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall this summer, as well as skipping the Olympics in Paris, due to ongoing health issues. While the Princess of Wales is said to be recovering from an undisclosed illness, rumours of marital issues with Prince William continue as some point out inconsistencies in the explanations surrounding her cancelling certain engagements but attending others.
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The Rose Hanbury rumours from 2019 are also back in the headlines recently, though it seems like an obvious distraction tactic now rather than based on any real evidence of an affair between William and the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Clearing those past articles from internet searches only draws more attention to the notion those rumours served the purpose of diverting attention from something bigger going on within the royal family. Kate's continually limited public schedule and now missing important family holiday traditions and sporting events raises ongoing questions about her actual wellbeing and relationship with William that certain tabloid reports seem aimed at covering up.
Meanwhile, King Charles III is also facing criticism over his decision not to visit areas of the UK that have seen large racially motivated riots and tensions in recent months. As the monarch, it would be expected of Charles to try and boost public morale in such divided times by showing his presence and concern for all citizens. But his choosing only to receive updates rather than make appearances echoes the wider sense of indifference some feel the royal family has toward social issues plaguing parts of British society.
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The lack of a vocal response from senior royals to the intolerant climate that fuelled disturbances raises further questions about their understanding of such challenges and willingness to address them. It forms another point of comparison to the beloved late Princess Diana, who undoubtedly would have taken a more proactive approach to connect with people from all walks of life experiencing hardship. For a parasitical institution heavily subsidized by British taxpayers, the striking absence of the King and silence of Buckingham Palace in the face of unrest enables resentment that the monarchy is woefully out of touch with average people.
Alongside renewed barbs against Meghan from her estranged family members including Thomas Markle and half-sister Samantha Markle, the past few weeks have surrounded the royal family in further controversy. Questionable reports from unreliable sources like Lady Colin Campbell and Angela Levin need to be taken with a fair dose of skepticism, yet at the same time their accusations fit within preexisting narratives that certain parts of the British media favor. While lifelong palace aide and journalist Levin provides no credible evidence for her claims, they contribute to fatigue many feel with non-stop critiques of Meghan that often appear presumptively biased if not just outright false.
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As debates around the monarchy's place in modern Britain intensify, the behaviour of certain royals and their supporters will strengthen arguments that the institution is outdated and detached from the lives of ordinary citizens. If the current trajectory holds, it seems increasingly unlikely Kate Middleton will be able to fulfill the leading role seemingly designed for her as Queen Consort. But the future is uncertain, and perhaps the greatest lesson is for all parties to reflect carefully on how their actions either bring people together or further divide an already fragmented society. Overall, the recent furore showcases how the House of Windsor remains steeped in controversy despite hopes for greater repair and revitalization under the new King.
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