The Duchess of Sussex’s estranged father branded the Royal Family “stiff” in the documentary . 

But he insisted Meghan’s childhood years in California were “the happiest of my life” as he shared snaps, including of himself holding her as a baby and the pair with their arms around each other.

Meghan is seen looking pretty in pink with her hair in ribbons and smiling with her mother Doria Ragland. 

In other images she poses in an exotic costume and looks sideways at the camera during a fishing trip. 

The 75-year-old opened up to Channel 5 in the film, watched by 1.2 million people on Wednesday, days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and son Archie started their new life in Canada. 

Speaking of her birth, he said: “I couldn’t have been happier. I was just knocked out by that child. She was just beautiful and I couldn’t put her down.” 

He said even when she became an actress in Los Angeles, he’d see her “three to four times a week”. 

But it all changed after meeting Harry, who he has never met. 

Thomas explained: “She’s been supported and loved by everybody on both sides of her [American] family. The family that she’s joined is far stiffer than the one that she’s left.” 

But he also insisted he had a right to be paid for the lengthy interview. 

He said: “At this point, they owe me. The Royals owe me, Harry owes me, Meghan owes me. What I’ve been through I should be rewarded for. 

“My daughter told me that when I reach my senior years she’ll take care of me. I’m in my senior years now – it’s time to look after Daddy.” 

Industry sources suggest his fee would likely run into tens of thousands of pounds. 

Mr Markle, who divorced Doria in the 1980s, said the last time he spoke to Meghan was during an emotional series of phone calls days before her wedding. He was due to walk her up the aisle but pulled out after it emerged he had been paid to pose for pictures by a photographer. 

He said Prince Harry told him: “If you had listened to me, this wouldn’t have happened.” He said: “I said to him, ‘It’s too bad I didn’t die because then you guys could pretend you were sad’ and then I hung up on them. I was done’.” 

Mr Markle added: “I don’t think at this point they’re thrilled to see me. The last time they might see me is being lowered into the ground.” 

● Thomas Markle: My Story is on My5.

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