The truth is out! Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister Samantha Grant reveals all about the soon-to-be princess’ private world and shares never-before-seen photos of the two as little girls.

“She was extremely well-behaved and respectful. If she wanted something, she’d say it in a forthcoming, diplomatic way,” half-sister, Samantha Grant says of Meghan as a child. “She was well mannered, tidy and disciplined.”

meghan markle

The sisters haven’t spoken in several years. Samantha blames the distance, in part, on her former stepmom, Doria Ragland, 61, a social worker and yoga instructor who had Meghan with Samantha’s dad, 73-year-old Thomas Markle, a former lighting director on shows such as General Hospital. (They split in the 1980s.)

Samantha claims that ever since Prince Harry and Meghan began secretly dating in 2016, Doria “just shut everyone out” — including Samantha and her half-brother, Thomas Jr. “In my mind Doria wanted to run around and seal off all the hatches. She became very possessive and controlling.” So controlling, Samantha says, that Doria wants to live with Meghan and Harry in the palace!

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Samantha also blames Doria for Meghan’s infrequent contact with their father, who filed for bankruptcy in 2016 and now lives in Mexico. “Meghan’s education, her connections in the entertainment industry that got her her first job on Suits and even before then…he gave her so much of who she is,” Samantha tells In Touch.

She feels Meghan should return the favor — financially. Referencing the costly Ralph & Russo gown Meghan wore in her engagement photo shoot, Samantha says, “If you can spend $75,000 on a dress, you can spend $75,000 on your dad.”

meghan markle

Despite the distance between Meghan and Thomas, Samantha believes that Harry called her father to ask permission to pop the question. “That’s the proper way of doing it. Harry is respectful that way, and I know my dad thinks fondly of him,” she says. And yet Harry has never actually met his future father-in-law. “We don’t know why. I think with distance, time and schedules, it’s hard. Plus, my dad had a bad leg for a while. But he’s doing better now. He’s working with a doctor to improve [the leg] so it minimizes his pain and he’ll be able to walk Meg down the aisle.”

For the full interview with Samantha Grant, Meghan Markle’s estranged sister, pick up the latest issue of In Touch, on newsstands now!

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