Thomas Markle has a new girlfriend, 'relieved' Meghan hopes he now won't have time for explosive interviews
Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly 'relieved' that the Duchess of Sussex's estranged father, Thomas Markle, has finally started dating. Markle was spotted buying a bouquet of flowers for his new mystery girlfriend on Valentine's Day. Meghan and Harry now hope that the new-found love in his life will occupy his time and he will have none to spare on giving explosive interviews that adversely affect his daughter and son-in-law.
"Part of the problem with Thomas is that he has so much time on his hands. He has a lot of time to stew, to think and to get angry. Again and again, that has led to him speaking out and giving interviews which have caused a lot of upset, particularly for Meghan. She hopes now that he’s got someone else in his life, he will fade away and not bother her. He’s caused enough problems already," a source told the Irish Sun.
The 75-year-old is allegedly dating an American mother-of-two who lives near his Rosarito neighborhood in Mexico. Although the new love interest in his life could mean him spending less time chastising his daughter and her life choices in media, the Sussexes are also aware that the tables could actually turn on them and the mystery woman could spell additional troubles in the future.
"Meghan and Harry are looking forward to a fresh start and hope that Thomas will give them the opportunity to do that without him interfering or causing any more distress. But they know only time will tell. And they are mindful whoever this new girlfriend is, could also talk if Thomas decides to pour his heart out to her. The danger of Thomas making their lives difficult is never far away," the source said.
Thomas' neighbors have also spotted him out and about with his girlfriend and locals have gone as far as branding her as Meghan's new "step-mum."
“Thomas has been seeing a woman locally for the past few weeks, and they’re regularly making trips back to the States as she has family there. He’s stayed with her for a few nights while he was getting the plumbing at his place fixed," one neighbor said. “Tom’s a really nice, low-key guy and hasn’t been making a song and dance of things. But he has definitely had a spring in his step. A few of us have also been joking that Meghan has a new step-mum!”
Thomas married Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland in 1979. They separated when the former 'Suits' actress was six years old. The source added that Ragland was 'delighted' at the prospect of her ex dating again because of what it meant for her daughter. "She’s seen first hand the strain his behavior has caused on Meghan and Harry and is firmly on their side," the insider said.
Earlier this week, Thomas slammed his daughter yet again for releasing a statement on their official website in response to the palace banning her and her husband from using the word "royal" in any of the brand names in the future, which seemingly "insulted" the Queen.
"I'm very upset with Harry and Meghan right now," he told TMZ in an interview from his home. "[They] don't have a right to speak to the Queen the way they've spoken to her. I think it's an insult to the Queen and the British people."