Thomas Markle Jr pens apology letter to sister Meghan
<p dir="ltr">Thomas Markle Jr opened up about his relationship with estranged half-sister Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on Big Brother VIP on Monday night, with the support of fellow housemate and former<span> </span><em>Survivor<span> </span></em>favourite Luke Toki.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On Monday night’s episode, Toki, who’s been developing a friendship with Markle, was called into the diary room and asked to read the infamous letter Markle wrote to Prince Harry. In the letter, Markle urged Harry to reconsider his marriage, and called the pair’s marriage “the biggest mistake in royal wedding history”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Toki was asked for his thoughts on the letter, and he was incredibly supportive of his newfound friend, saying, “He’s so upset, he’s seen his sister being given so many opportunities. Some people like to climb the corporate ladder and not look back. I understand - there are two sides to every tale.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“But from everything I know - I like Tom, and I think he loves his sister. As brothers and sisters we give each other s**t and we fight and get back together. At the end of the day family is family.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Tom really wants to reconnect with his sister - he loves his sister,” Toki said while tearing up and adding, “I’m actually getting quite emotional over this - sorry.” Asked by Big Brother if this struck a chord with him, Toki replied, “A little bit… A little bit… I haven’t spoken to my sister for the last two or three years, I just started speaking to her again.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Family is family and deep down the love is always going to be there, it doesn’t matter what happens.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Toki was then asked to convince Markle to write an apology to Meghan, which Markle agreed to do. Asked what it was like growing up with Meghan, Markle said, “It was fun. There was a whole lot of love growing up. Her first nickname as a child was ‘flower' because her bedroom she had these decorative flowers over her crib, so when she woke up that’s the first thing she would see.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“She’s my sister and she’s my blood and I love the hell out of her.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">After taking some time to write the letter, Markle read it aloud. He had written, ”Dear Meghan and Harry, the first thing I want to say to you two is that I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart for the awful, mean letter I wrote to you prior to your wedding.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I want both of you to know that it didn’t come from the real person I am, but came from the very dark, hurt part of my heart. I am not a mean person at all and I have more love inside me to give than anyone I know.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The letter was definitely written from my feeling hurt and confused from your response that I was ‘distant family’ and that you ‘didn’t know those people’. I was hurt and confused because of the amazing bond and relationship we shared growing up together, and all I could do was put up a defensive wall to protect my heart.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I know that the letter was immature and wrong and I truly regret it. When your relationship with Harry first became known to the public, I - along with all of our family - became public figures overnight - no more privacy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Let me tell you, It was very, very stressful to deal with it all alone with no help at all. A real nightmare and constant pressure, and I if I could turn back the clock and do it all over knowing what I know now. I would never have tried to communicate any of my feeling to the media. I feel like a complete ass after what I’ve done and I am truly sorry for that.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Meg, if I could turn the clock back, I would tell you that I'm so, so proud of you and I'm truly happy for you and Harry and I love you. You’re my little sister, my family, and you always will be. Now you’ve found the love of your life and started a family of your own, I couldn’t be more proud.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The last several years of my life I have grown and learned more about myself, and I must say what I did to you with that letter is quite possibly the biggest mistake of my life. I hope you and Harry can find it in your hearts to accept my sincere apology because this is the real Tom Markle. I truly love you guys. I wish you, Harry and Meghan, and Archie and Lili the happiest most loving life possible. Sincerely, your big brother, Tom.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Following the exercise, Markle said it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and that he felt indebted to Big Brother, who confirmed he would be sending the letter to the couple.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I’ve grown exponentially since my stay here,” Markle added.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images</em></p>
