Meghan Markle‘s half-sister Samantha Grant confirmed that the photos were indeed staged with the cooperation of paparazzi.
She made the confirmation during an interview on British TV.
Samantha explained that they wanted the photos to portray Thomas Markle in a positive light saying,
“As we know the media can take very unflattering photographs of people on their casual days and blow it way out of proportion. So I said, really you need to show the world that you’re getting in shape and doing great healthy things.”
Grant added that the deal was not motivated by money.
This comes after Meghan’s father told TMZ he will no longer be walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day because “he doesn’t want to embarrass the royal family or his daughter.”
He said this after it was reported that Thomas Markle had staged the previously circulated paparazzi photos that showed him preparing for his daughter’s upcoming nuptials by reading a book on Britain, getting fitted for a suit, and looking at photos of Meghan and Harry online.
Thomas Markle says he went along with the paps who orchestrated the photos because he thought the pics would show him in a more flattering light. He told TMZ he “figured there was no harm in it and it would help recast his image,” but now he thinks the photos are “stupid and hammy”.
Thomas Markle also debunked the speculations, like Samantha, that his motivations were purely financial.
