Meghan Markle has been accused of using her father Thomas Markle’s hospitalization for publicity after announcing her new project, Cookie Queens, while he was recovering from a leg amputation.
The Duchess of Sussex shared a rare childhood photo with her mother, Doria Ragland, on Instagram with the caption “full circle,” to introduce the project.
According to an insider, the post seemed “tone deaf” because Meghan knew her father had a serious health scare and she still launched the project.
"Posting such a joyful image while Thomas is still recuperating feels tone-deaf to some observers. People are questioning whether Meghan considered the impact on her father,” the insider told Radar Online.
Another family source claimed, "He's stable and in good spirits, and focusing on regaining mobility and adapting to life after surgery."
"But Meghan's feel-good announcement about a family-oriented project about cookies, along with references to Meghan's mom, is just tearing out his heart."
"Meghan is choosing projects that combine her visibility with purposeful storytelling. Cookie Queens gives her a chance to showcase empowerment, entrepreneurship, and childhood experiences, while keeping control over how she presents herself."
One media analyst also gave their two-cents on the matter, saying, "There's always a calculated PR element with the Sussexes.
“Launching a high-profile documentary while her father is recovering is bound to attract scrutiny.
“But, alas, she doesn't seem to care about the optics or being by his side in his hour of need. She's just piling pain on Thomas now."