Who Is Meghan Markle’s Half-Brother, Thomas Markle Jr?

Meghan Markle’s family has tried to capture as much of the spotlight as they could leading up to and following the former actress’ wedding to Prince Harry. While they have resorted to bad-mouthing her, they are actually the ones who are making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., has been in the news in the past for his legal troubles. In January 2018, he was arrested for allegedly holding a gun to his fiancée, Darlene Blount’s head. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and menacing. Both charges were eventually dismissed.

Then in July 2018, Blount was arrested for assault in the fourth degree. The Daily Mail noted that “There was a domestic violence call at the home of Thomas Markle [Jr] and Darlene Blount. Darlene was arrested on assault charges.” She was released on bail the following day.

The Duchess of Sussex and Markle Jr. have the same father, but not the same mother. Markle Jr.’s mom is Roslyn Loveless, who is also the mother of the duchess’ half-sister, Samantha Grant. Meghan’s mother is Thomas Markle Sr.’s second wife, Doria Ragland.

Here’s everything we know about Meghan Markle’s half-brother.

He and his half-sister have been estranged since 2011

In the past, Markle Jr. had claimed that he met Prince Harry during a trip to Toronto when he was visiting Meghan. However, reports later revealed that wasn’t true as the half-siblings have been estranged for several years.

According to the Daily Mail, the last time they saw each other was at their grandmother’s funeral in 2011 and they haven’t spoken since.

He wasn’t happy about not being invited to the royal wedding

Even though they did not keep in contact, for some reason Markle Jr. thought that he should have received an invitation to the royal wedding.

“I’m not bitter, just baffled,” he told the Mirror about not getting one. “It’s hurtful given how close we once were. I’m confused and a little distraught because here is a person knowing the position she’s in and knowing the scrutiny she’s under and yet she has forgotten her flesh and blood.”

His son threatened to crash the affair anyway

Markle Jr.’s son, TJ Dooley, also really wanted to attend the royal event and even said he would gatecrash the affair. “I’d probably come to the UK for the wedding — even if I’m not invited. I am thrilled,” he said.

Dooley, his brother, and his mother, Tracy Dooley, did end up traveling to London in May despite not getting invites.

Markle Jr. wrote an open letter to Prince Harry

Days before Meghan and Harry tied the knot, Markle Jr. wrote a letter to the prince asking him to call off the wedding to his half-sister.

“Meghan Markle is obviously not the right woman for you. As more time passes to your royal wedding, it became very clear that this is the biggest mistake in royal wedding history,” he said.

Strangely enough, he then penned a follow-up letter to Meghan and actually asked for an invitation writing, “But it’s not too late to send me an invite along with your entire family. It can still be a royal wedding family reunion.”