December 16, 2025 • 10 mins
A Daily Mail columnist recounts her deeply personal account of standing beside Thomas Markle during a medical crisis, as his long-awaited letter from Meghan finally arrives under extraordinary circumstances. We examine the claims, the response from Meghan’s representatives, and the growing legal and PR tension surrounding the moment.
Plus, public relations experts question the future of With Love, Meghan, debate whether the Sussexes should lean fully into Hollywood life, and weigh in on what Meghan and Harry’s appearance at a Kris Jenner party says about their post-royal identity.
We also look at fresh comparisons between Meghan and the Princess of Wales, Kate’s expanding influence in entertainment circles, and a new message from Kate highlighting a major charity effort tied to cancer awareness.
Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.
Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.
👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! Season 1 and 2 are fully available now for everyone. Season 3 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 3 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.
👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram or click the links to start your royal journey!
Plus, public relations experts question the future of With Love, Meghan, debate whether the Sussexes should lean fully into Hollywood life, and weigh in on what Meghan and Harry’s appearance at a Kris Jenner party says about their post-royal identity.
We also look at fresh comparisons between Meghan and the Princess of Wales, Kate’s expanding influence in entertainment circles, and a new message from Kate highlighting a major charity effort tied to cancer awareness.
Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.
Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.
👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! Season 1 and 2 are fully available now for everyone. Season 3 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 3 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.
👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram or click the links to start your royal journey!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Callaroga Shark Media. There Lo and welcome the Palace Intrigue.
I'm your host, Mark Francis. In The Daily Meal, Caroline
Graham writes of her relationship with Thomas Markle. Graham explains
that their friendship began seven years ago, shortly after Megan
Mirkle's wedding to Prince Harry, when she interviewed Thomas Mirkle
(00:25):
following his heart attacks, his decision to pose for paparazzi photographs,
and his absence from the wedding. What began as a
professional encounter developed into a close personal friendship, one of
only a handful she says has endured over her career.
Earlier this month, Michael, now eighty one, was hospitalized after
a fall and informed her by text that doctors were
(00:48):
preparing to amputate his leg because of a life threatening
blood clot. She traveled immediately to the Philippines at the
request of his son, Thomas Michael Junior, and spent more
than a week at his bedside as he underwent surgery
and began physiotherapy. Throughout that time, she says, Michael was
fixated on one thing. Hearing from his daughter, She writes
(01:08):
that he kept his phone plugged in by his bed
for days, repeatedly asking her to check in in case
he had missed a call. She insists that she made
clear she would leave the room immediately if Megan contacted him,
and reiterates that she would walk away from their friendship
if it meant father and daughter could reconcile. The journalist
says she contacted Meghan's representatives once Michael was moved out
(01:32):
of intensive care, providing his phone number, hospital name, and
room number with his permission proclaims no call Cain. Instead,
events became increasingly formal and legalistic. Hospital officials presented Mikel
with documents authorizing a visit from a US embassy representative
and waiving privacy rights. A consular official later asked him
(01:55):
to name those who could receive information about him, and
Markel listed Princes Harry and Meghan, his son, and the journalist.
Two days later, she describes hospital executives arriving unannounced with lawyers,
asking Markel to sign further paperwork confirming he was about
to receive a sealed letter from his daughter. The handover,
(02:17):
she says, was recorded on video to be sent to
the Sussexes. Mikel reportedly trembled at the sight of the
envelope and waited several hours before opening it, reading the
letter multiple times, but choosing not to share its contents
despite Markel asking for secrecy. The journalist says news of
the letter's delivery was quickly released publicly by the Sussex's camp,
(02:39):
accompanied by criticism of her presence in the hospital. In
a statement to Reuter's, Meghan's representatives accused her of breaching
clear ethical boundaries and making private contact difficult. She rejects
that claim, saying she had Markel's explicit permission to be
there and speak publicly, and insists the statement was to
(02:59):
monster false, noting again that Meghan's team had been given
direct contact details days earlier. She also disputes claims that
Meghan had successfully emailed her father, saying the message was
sent to an old email address he no longer uses.
The account ends with the journalist acknowledging that there are
always two sides to any family dispute, expressing hope that
(03:23):
Meghan's letter could begin a reconciliation, and repeating that she
would willingly step aside if it meant Thomas Michael could
regain what she says he has wanted most a relationship
with his daughter. Public relations experts are questioning the future
of Meghan's Netflix series With Love Meghan, suggesting the Duchess
of Sussex may need to rethink the show's direction if
(03:45):
it is to continue. PR specialist Kaylee Cornelius said the
program's feel good format may no longer be enough to
sustain interest. She said, if the Duchess wants to be
taken seriously in her new venture and regarded as it
was spected figure in the field, she'll have to offer
far more than feel good concepts we've seen so far.
She needs to deliver originality and substance, backed by well
(04:09):
loved special guests and fresh, thought provoking ideas that offer
genuine value beyond what the average viewer can already find online.
Another PR expert, Rea Freeman, echoed those concerns, saying the
available figures do not point to an imminent renewal. She said,
from looking at the numbers available in terms of the
audience for season two, I'm not sure we'll see a
season three soon. Megan and Harry have been urged to
(04:34):
fully embrace a Hollywood lifestyle in an effort to improve
what has been described as their flagging public image since
stepping away from Royal Life. Public relations expert Rea Freeman
told Express personally, I feel that they should fully lean
into the Hollywood side of life, embrace social media for
they rather than just as and when it's needed, and
(04:54):
give people who want to like them a chance to
get to know them better in a less edited way.
Take inspiration from successful reality stars of Hollywood, the Kardashians
being the prime example, and learned some lessons there. I
appreciate that for a long time the couple have asked
for privacy, but their actions don't echo this. I feel
the best course of action would be to rarely lean
into it, as it feels that more opportunities, maybe even
(05:17):
better headlines could come from that in the long term.
Grant Harold, who served as King Charles Butler from two
thousand and seven to twenty eleven, said the couple's attendants
at Chris Jenner's party reflected the reality of their new
public lives. Harold said, this is a real sign that
they've been accepted into the Hollywood showbiz world. This celebration
(05:37):
was definitely the party of the year, so their attendance
feels like a real reflection of their new post royal lives. However,
I don't think it's surprising that Chris Jenna wanted them there,
as having a real life prince at any do definitely
gives it an extra buzz. Royals attending celebrity advents is
knew and has been happening for generations. It always goes
the other way around, and many big names have attended
(05:59):
King Charles big parties over the years. In The Mirror,
Melody Fletcher writes of the difference between Meghan's truth and
the truth. She writes. One of these factual inaccuracies is
believed to be Meghan's assertion that she went into her
relationship with Harry without any understanding or context about the
British Royal family. Shortly after their engagement was announced. However,
(06:21):
a photograph showing Meghan, then fifteen, posing outside Buckingham Palace
where a childhood friend in nineteen ninety six was unearthed.
Nanickey Pritty, who was photographed alongside Meghan, told The Daily
Mail she has always been fascinated by the Royal family
and dreamed of being Princess Diana two point zero. Commenting
on her engagement, Miss Pretty added, I'm not shocked at all.
(06:43):
It's like she has been planning this all her life.
Whether she knew about Prince Harry or not, Meghan was
certainly aware of his older brother and sister in law.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, a blog post from
Duchess's now defunct website that tig revealed her feelings about
royal princesses as she reflected on Prince William and Cather
Friend's wedding, writing, Groman women seem to retain this childhood fantasy.
(07:05):
Just look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the royal
wedding and endless conversation about Princess Kate more Palace in
just a moment. Kate Middleton is reportedly drawing fresh attention
for her ability to build relationships with figures in the
entertainment world in a way that Meghan has struggled to replicate.
(07:26):
According to sources, the Princess of Wales as a natural
ease that puts Hollywood figures at ease and encourages genuine collaboration.
One insiders suggested that this quality has helped her connect
with industry names such as Eugene Levy, who is said
to have felt comfortable and enthusiastic about working with her.
The source contrasted this with Meghan's recent media projects, claiming
(07:48):
that while Meghan has invited high profile names onto her
podcast and Netflix series With Love Meghan, she often only
lands z list stars. The comparison that follows Eugene Levy's
recent visit to Windsor Castle, where filmed with Prince William
for his Apple TV plus series The Reluctant Traveler. Levy
later attended Kate's annual Christmas Carol service, where observers noted
(08:11):
a warm and relaxed rapore between him and the Princess
of Wales. Explaining why Kate appears to have an edge
when it comes to networking, the source said, her influence
in these spaces is subtle but unmistakable. They added, She's
quietly making connections that have real weight in the entertainment world,
and Meghan is painfully aware of it. With Eugene now
(08:33):
effortlessly added to Kate's Christmas card list, the Princess of
Wales is yet again demonstrating her rare combination of elegance
and networking acumen that continues to open doors leaving Megan
watching from afar totally frustrated. Kate shared a new video
message on social media, thanking supporters for their contributions to
the ever After Garden. In the post, the Princess of
(08:55):
Wales expressed her appreciation for those who have helped support
the winter art installation, raising money for the Royal Marsden
Cancer Charity. The installation, located on King's Road in London,
features more than thirty thousand illuminated white roses and is
designed to honour remembrance, love and hope. Posting on Instagram,
the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote thank you to
(09:15):
all those who have contributed to the ever After Garden,
which raises vital funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Every flower, every light is a memory, hold together and
an illumination of shared love, remembrance and hope. The post
comes shortly after King Charles confirmed that his cancer treatment
will be scaled back in January. In recent weeks, the
King has urged Meant to take part in prostate cancer screening.
(09:38):
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the Palace has been delighted
by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction.
I know his Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply
touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated.
He will be particularly pleased at the way it has
helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer
screening programs. It has long been the king view that
(10:00):
if some public good can come from sheering elements of
his personal diagnosis and treatment journey, then it would be
his pleasure and duty to do so. His thoughts and
warmest wishes will remain with all those affected by cancer
and those who care for them, and they have it.
If you'd like to email us our addresses the palacinric
at gmail dot com, Please follow us a Spotify Apple
(10:22):
app of your choice and leaves a nice review. If
you're enjoying the show and Mark Francis mean thanks to
John Wick Jermy, this is Palacinry and good terms.
Callaroga Shark Media. There Lo and welcome the Palace Intrigue.
I'm your host, Mark Francis. In The Daily Meal, Caroline
Graham writes of her relationship with Thomas Markle. Graham explains
that their friendship began seven years ago, shortly after Megan
Mirkle's wedding to Prince Harry, when she interviewed Thomas Mirkle
(00:25):
following his heart attacks, his decision to pose for paparazzi photographs,
and his absence from the wedding. What began as a
professional encounter developed into a close personal friendship, one of
only a handful she says has endured over her career.
Earlier this month, Michael, now eighty one, was hospitalized after
a fall and informed her by text that doctors were
(00:48):
preparing to amputate his leg because of a life threatening
blood clot. She traveled immediately to the Philippines at the
request of his son, Thomas Michael Junior, and spent more
than a week at his bedside as he underwent surgery
and began physiotherapy. Throughout that time, she says, Michael was
fixated on one thing. Hearing from his daughter, She writes
(01:08):
that he kept his phone plugged in by his bed
for days, repeatedly asking her to check in in case
he had missed a call. She insists that she made
clear she would leave the room immediately if Megan contacted him,
and reiterates that she would walk away from their friendship
if it meant father and daughter could reconcile. The journalist
says she contacted Meghan's representatives once Michael was moved out
(01:32):
of intensive care, providing his phone number, hospital name, and
room number with his permission proclaims no call Cain. Instead,
events became increasingly formal and legalistic. Hospital officials presented Mikel
with documents authorizing a visit from a US embassy representative
and waiving privacy rights. A consular official later asked him
(01:55):
to name those who could receive information about him, and
Markel listed Princes Harry and Meghan, his son, and the journalist.
Two days later, she describes hospital executives arriving unannounced with lawyers,
asking Markel to sign further paperwork confirming he was about
to receive a sealed letter from his daughter. The handover,
(02:17):
she says, was recorded on video to be sent to
the Sussexes. Mikel reportedly trembled at the sight of the
envelope and waited several hours before opening it, reading the
letter multiple times, but choosing not to share its contents
despite Markel asking for secrecy. The journalist says news of
the letter's delivery was quickly released publicly by the Sussex's camp,
(02:39):
accompanied by criticism of her presence in the hospital. In
a statement to Reuter's, Meghan's representatives accused her of breaching
clear ethical boundaries and making private contact difficult. She rejects
that claim, saying she had Markel's explicit permission to be
there and speak publicly, and insists the statement was to
(02:59):
monster false, noting again that Meghan's team had been given
direct contact details days earlier. She also disputes claims that
Meghan had successfully emailed her father, saying the message was
sent to an old email address he no longer uses.
The account ends with the journalist acknowledging that there are
always two sides to any family dispute, expressing hope that
(03:23):
Meghan's letter could begin a reconciliation, and repeating that she
would willingly step aside if it meant Thomas Michael could
regain what she says he has wanted most a relationship
with his daughter. Public relations experts are questioning the future
of Meghan's Netflix series With Love Meghan, suggesting the Duchess
of Sussex may need to rethink the show's direction if
(03:45):
it is to continue. PR specialist Kaylee Cornelius said the
program's feel good format may no longer be enough to
sustain interest. She said, if the Duchess wants to be
taken seriously in her new venture and regarded as it
was spected figure in the field, she'll have to offer
far more than feel good concepts we've seen so far.
She needs to deliver originality and substance, backed by well
(04:09):
loved special guests and fresh, thought provoking ideas that offer
genuine value beyond what the average viewer can already find online.
Another PR expert, Rea Freeman, echoed those concerns, saying the
available figures do not point to an imminent renewal. She said,
from looking at the numbers available in terms of the
audience for season two, I'm not sure we'll see a
season three soon. Megan and Harry have been urged to
(04:34):
fully embrace a Hollywood lifestyle in an effort to improve
what has been described as their flagging public image since
stepping away from Royal Life. Public relations expert Rea Freeman
told Express personally, I feel that they should fully lean
into the Hollywood side of life, embrace social media for
they rather than just as and when it's needed, and
(04:54):
give people who want to like them a chance to
get to know them better in a less edited way.
Take inspiration from successful reality stars of Hollywood, the Kardashians
being the prime example, and learned some lessons there. I
appreciate that for a long time the couple have asked
for privacy, but their actions don't echo this. I feel
the best course of action would be to rarely lean
into it, as it feels that more opportunities, maybe even
(05:17):
better headlines could come from that in the long term.
Grant Harold, who served as King Charles Butler from two
thousand and seven to twenty eleven, said the couple's attendants
at Chris Jenner's party reflected the reality of their new
public lives. Harold said, this is a real sign that
they've been accepted into the Hollywood showbiz world. This celebration
(05:37):
was definitely the party of the year, so their attendance
feels like a real reflection of their new post royal lives. However,
I don't think it's surprising that Chris Jenna wanted them there,
as having a real life prince at any do definitely
gives it an extra buzz. Royals attending celebrity advents is
knew and has been happening for generations. It always goes
the other way around, and many big names have attended
(05:59):
King Charles big parties over the years. In The Mirror,
Melody Fletcher writes of the difference between Meghan's truth and
the truth. She writes. One of these factual inaccuracies is
believed to be Meghan's assertion that she went into her
relationship with Harry without any understanding or context about the
British Royal family. Shortly after their engagement was announced. However,
(06:21):
a photograph showing Meghan, then fifteen, posing outside Buckingham Palace
where a childhood friend in nineteen ninety six was unearthed.
Nanickey Pritty, who was photographed alongside Meghan, told The Daily
Mail she has always been fascinated by the Royal family
and dreamed of being Princess Diana two point zero. Commenting
on her engagement, Miss Pretty added, I'm not shocked at all.
(06:43):
It's like she has been planning this all her life.
Whether she knew about Prince Harry or not, Meghan was
certainly aware of his older brother and sister in law.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, a blog post from
Duchess's now defunct website that tig revealed her feelings about
royal princesses as she reflected on Prince William and Cather
Friend's wedding, writing, Groman women seem to retain this childhood fantasy.
(07:05):
Just look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the royal
wedding and endless conversation about Princess Kate more Palace in
just a moment. Kate Middleton is reportedly drawing fresh attention
for her ability to build relationships with figures in the
entertainment world in a way that Meghan has struggled to replicate.
(07:26):
According to sources, the Princess of Wales as a natural
ease that puts Hollywood figures at ease and encourages genuine collaboration.
One insiders suggested that this quality has helped her connect
with industry names such as Eugene Levy, who is said
to have felt comfortable and enthusiastic about working with her.
The source contrasted this with Meghan's recent media projects, claiming
(07:48):
that while Meghan has invited high profile names onto her
podcast and Netflix series With Love Meghan, she often only
lands z list stars. The comparison that follows Eugene Levy's
recent visit to Windsor Castle, where filmed with Prince William
for his Apple TV plus series The Reluctant Traveler. Levy
later attended Kate's annual Christmas Carol service, where observers noted
(08:11):
a warm and relaxed rapore between him and the Princess
of Wales. Explaining why Kate appears to have an edge
when it comes to networking, the source said, her influence
in these spaces is subtle but unmistakable. They added, She's
quietly making connections that have real weight in the entertainment world,
and Meghan is painfully aware of it. With Eugene now
(08:33):
effortlessly added to Kate's Christmas card list, the Princess of
Wales is yet again demonstrating her rare combination of elegance
and networking acumen that continues to open doors leaving Megan
watching from afar totally frustrated. Kate shared a new video
message on social media, thanking supporters for their contributions to
the ever After Garden. In the post, the Princess of
(08:55):
Wales expressed her appreciation for those who have helped support
the winter art installation, raising money for the Royal Marsden
Cancer Charity. The installation, located on King's Road in London,
features more than thirty thousand illuminated white roses and is
designed to honour remembrance, love and hope. Posting on Instagram,
the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote thank you to
(09:15):
all those who have contributed to the ever After Garden,
which raises vital funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Every flower, every light is a memory, hold together and
an illumination of shared love, remembrance and hope. The post
comes shortly after King Charles confirmed that his cancer treatment
will be scaled back in January. In recent weeks, the
King has urged Meant to take part in prostate cancer screening.
(09:38):
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the Palace has been delighted
by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction.
I know his Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply
touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated.
He will be particularly pleased at the way it has
helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer
screening programs. It has long been the king view that
(10:00):
if some public good can come from sheering elements of
his personal diagnosis and treatment journey, then it would be
his pleasure and duty to do so. His thoughts and
warmest wishes will remain with all those affected by cancer
and those who care for them, and they have it.
If you'd like to email us our addresses the palacinric
at gmail dot com, Please follow us a Spotify Apple
(10:22):
app of your choice and leaves a nice review. If
you're enjoying the show and Mark Francis mean thanks to
John Wick Jermy, this is Palacinry and good terms.
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