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U.K. news network GB News has issued an apology after airing a false claim that Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, was once imprisoned.
Broadcaster Carole Malone apologized on air Monday, December 15, after alleging earlier this month that Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, “brought her up while her mother was in jail.”
On Monday, Malone, 71, said, “On Thursday, December the 4th, 2025, I stated that Thomas Markle, the Duchess of Sussex’s father, brought Meghan up while her mother, Doria Ragland, was in prison.”
“I believed this to be the case based on what I now understand to be misinformation I had seen online,” Malone continued, per footage posted on X. “I was questioned about the validity of this claim during the broadcast and I repeated this belief, which I now understand to be false.”
Malone concluded, “This was a genuine error. I accept what I have been told on behalf of Ms. Ragland — that she raised her daughter and that she has never been in prison or jail. I apologize sincerely to Ms. Ragland and her family for any pain my comments may have caused.”
Us Weekly has reached out to GB News, as well as Meghan’s representatives, for comment.
Malone, a U.K. newspaper columnist, made her initial remarks about Meghan’s parents during an on-air discussion about her father Thomas’ recent hospitalization.
Thomas, 81, underwent surgery in the Philippines in early December to have his left leg amputated below the knee.
Royal role model! Before starting a family of her own, Meghan Markle had her mother, Doria Ragland, to turn to for inspiration on a daily basis. Ragland was married to Thomas Markle from 1979 to 1987, but despite the split, Meghan remained close to both of her parents while growing up. “I was too young […]
Thomas’ son, Thomas Markle Jr., told the Daily Mail the elder Thomas suffered a blood clot that cut off circulation to his left leg, causing the limb to turn black.
“My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated,” said Thomas Jr.
“There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death,” Thomas Jr. added.
“One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical. His left leg has been removed below the knee. They were worried about infection setting in — sepsis or gangrene. The flesh was black and dying,” Thomas Jr. said at the time.
Meghan Markle has had a difficult relationship with her father, Thomas Markle Sr., ever since her courtship with Prince Harry began. The Suits actress, 44, is the only child from the former General Hospital lighting director’s eight-year marriage to Doria Ragland — though he also shares a son, Thomas Markle Jr., and a daughter, Samantha […]
A spokesperson for Meghan, 44, confirmed to Us Weekly on Wednesday, December 10, that the Duchess of Sussex was able to deliver a letter to her father after trying to reach out to him amid his hospitalization.
“With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands,” the royal’s rep said.
Meghan was largely raised by her mother following Doria, 69, and Thomas’ divorce in 1987 after 10 years of marriage.
Meghan has been estranged from her father since before her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018. Thomas was accused of staging paparazzi photos for money in the lead-up to Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding.
“H and I called my dad. I said, ‘They’re saying you’re taking money from the tabloids to stage photos. Is this true?’ He says, ‘No,’” Meghan recalled during a 2022 episode of their Netflix docuseries, Harry and Meghan. “And on that call, I’d said to him, ‘Look. If they can’t stop this story, then it’s going to come out tomorrow, so why don’t we send someone right now to your house to get you out of there now because if that’s the case, your house will be swarmed by media. We’ll get you out.’”
She added at the time, “He said, ‘No. I have things I need to do.’ And it felt really cagey. I was like, ‘It doesn’t make sense.’ And when we hung up, I looked at H. I was like, ‘I don’t know why, but I don’t believe him.’”
