U.K. News Host Apologizes on Air After False Claim About Meghan Markle’s Mom — as Duchess’s Spokesperson Reacts

A British TV commentator issued an on-air apology after incorrectly stating that Meghan Markle was raised by her father, Thomas Markle, while her mother, Doria Ragland, was in jail.

Video of commentator Carole Malone apologizing on GB News circulated on social media on Dec. 15.

“In an episode of Britain’s Newsroom 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,” Malone said. She added that she believed the claim based on misinformation she had seen online, and that during the broadcast she repeated it after being questioned about its accuracy—something she now understands was false.

“This was a genuine error,” Malone continued. “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.” She apologized to Ragland and her family “for any pain” her comments may have caused, adding that she was glad to correct the record.

Anchor Andrew Pierce also addressed the mistake, saying he had been on the program that day and that he, too, wanted to apologize to Ragland and correct the claim.

A spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex responded: “Broadcasters have a responsibility to inform, not inflame. This lie was conclusively debunked more than two years ago, yet it continues to be recycled by irresponsible commentators, causing recurring harm.” The spokesperson added that GB News apologized only to avoid a defamation lawsuit, and claimed the network removed “any trace of that apology within 24hrs of making it.”

A spokesperson for GB News declined to comment.

Malone, 71, originally made the allegation earlier this month while discussing reports that Thomas Markle underwent an emergency leg amputation in the Philippines, where he is currently living.

“So where’s her compassion for the father who actually brought her up, who paid for her private education, while her mother was in jail, who took huge care of her, and she’s not seen him in the latter years,” Malone said in a clip shared to X. When another presenter asked, “When was that mom in jail?” Malone replied, “Years ago,” before adding, “Do you want me to give you the precise date and time? Because I haven’t got that.”

Meghan, 44, has spoken publicly about her relationship with her mother, recalling Ragland’s active role in her childhood—from being her Girl Scouts troop leader to calling her “Flower” as a nickname. In a recent Netflix holiday special, the Duchess of Sussex also made her mother’s gumbo recipe, a traditional Christmas Eve meal.

“Meghan draws a lot of strength from her mother. Doria is classy, chic and confident, but not unapproachable,” Meghan’s longtime friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin said in May 2018. “I definitely feel Meghan gets a lot of that from her mother.”

Meghan has been estranged from her father, 81, since shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018. The rift began after Thomas admitted to staging paparazzi photos and, Meghan has said, was not truthful with her about his contact with the press.

She addressed the relationship publicly during her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. “I’ve lost my father,” Meghan said.

Despite the continued distance, it was confirmed on Dec. 10 that the Duchess of Sussex got a letter to Thomas following his emergency surgery after several days of claim and counterclaim about whether she was able to contact him.