Meghan Markle's sister Samantha slams her 'insensitive' decision to announce Disney gig amid coronavirus crisis
Samantha Markle has chimed in on her younger sister Meghan Markle's decision to announce her collaboration with Disney at a time when the world is mired in the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Disney announced on Thursday that the duchess is lending her voice to 'Elephant', to be released April 3 on the Disney+ streaming service. It’s one of a series of animal- and nature-themed features released to mark Earth Month.
According to the 54-year-old estranged sister, Meghan was "insensitive" to make the official announcement, which she said was "macabre" during such trying times. Speaking to Daily Star, Samantha touched upon how her sister has chosen to cut off all contact with her family save for their mother Doria Ragland.
In January this year, Meghan and Harry announced their bombshell decision to step down from The Firm in a bid to become "financially independent." It would later come to light that the Sussexes would ultimately lose their HRH titles as well -- something which hadn't been seen since King Edward VII, the Queen's uncle, abdicated the throne to marry American socialite and divorcee Wallis Simpson.
Samantha criticized her sister's decision to announce her first Hollywood gig away from the Windsor family just a day after it was revealed that Prince Charles had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Samantha, who has previously opened up about raising Meghan for 12 years while they grew up in Los Angeles, slammed her sister's decision saying she should have instead announced how she was worried about people suffering from the virus and sent prayers their way.
"It's totally insensitive if she was going to announce something," Samantha began. "She might want to announce that she's worried about everybody and sends her prayers and love and that she's worried about our father and that she contacted him."
"You're talking about a person who in the middle of a pandemic tells people to go to counseling school so do the insensitivity math," the mother-of-three continued. "At the end of the Africa documentary when she said she was glad to know that people were concerned about how she is doing, even in the midst of a pandemic she doesn't seem too worried about how anyone is doing especially family."
Samantha, who is wheelchair-bound after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, noted how Meghan controversially retained her Hollywood agents and lawyers even after becoming a part of the royal family.
"I think it was clear from the beginning keeping an agent a manager and an attorney in Los Angeles that she had always planned to go back so this is no surprise and it is really insensitive of her to promote her voice-over during a pandemic," Samantha added. "Maybe she should write on a banana that she hopes everyone stays healthy and post it on Instagram."
According to Samantha, Disney should cast Meghan as Caligula.
When asked about their father Thomas Markle's ill health, the 54-year-old said he's currently well and socially isolating, but in good spirits nonetheless.
"We talk several times a day, so he's alright. He has people helping him and looking after him," she said. "But somebody should tell my sister she won't get coronavirus for making a phone call."
Samantha was then asked about Charles' positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
"Prayers for the Royal Family, money doesn't fix everything," she said in response, adding, "Maybe my sister will have an epiphany."