Meghan Markle’s brother has been condemned for appearing to mock her in a series of YouTube video rants – dressing up with a cushion stuffed inside his jumper and calling himself ‘Me-gain’.
Thomas Markle Jr, 57, has fired off a series of insults and conspiracy theories in clips targeting his estranged half-sister, the Duchess of Sussex. He is seen in one seeming to put a cushion up his top while wearing a wig and tiara and ridiculing the duchess. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond slammed the videos as ‘grotesque’ and accused him of committing ‘the ultimate betrayal’.
And an ex-government minister has also called for tougher action by internet firms to combat ‘campaigns of harassment and intimidation’. The duchess, 42, has reportedly not spoken to her brother for more than a decade. He has set up his own YouTube page showcasing regular videos and live streams in which he rants about Meghan and the royal family while answering questions from many of his 36,500 subscribers.
The latest video in which he dons a wig and cushion to mock Meghan was posted last Wednesday, though he has dressed up similarly in previous footage. He describes himself as ‘Me-gain’, a disparaging nickname internet trolls have aimed at the duchess.
Mr Markle has also suggested plans to bring out his own range of merchandise such as glasses, mugs and T-shirts, the Sunday Mirror reported. He addresses the camera as if in a dialogue with the duchess, raging: ‘It’s not just your freedom of speech, Meghan, it’s everybody’s freedom of speech. ‘So if you don’t like it, don’t watch, right? I’m gonna be riding those coat-tails, baby – oh, yeah, if it wasn’t for Meghan Markle I don’t know what I’d be doing.’
Journalist and royal family expert Bond responded by saying: ‘To have your own flesh and blood lead the assault must feel like the ultimate betrayal for Meghan.’ Conservative MP and ex-tech and the digital economy minister Damian Collins said: ‘The major social media companies must do more to combat harmful content on their platforms, including campaigns of harassment and intimidation.
‘They have created systems that have not only allowed conspiracy theories to thrive, but are actively promoted by the recommendation systems designed by these big tech companies.’ The latest barbs by Thomas come as Meghan was seen in Palm Beach this weekend alongside husband Harry, 39, filming his new Netflix show about the world of polo. The pair were the main attraction as they attended a charity game at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Miami, Florida – though there was one potentially awkward moment when she asked a woman not to pose next to Harry for a picture.
