Meghan Markle's dad "refused to feed his children" and "lived a single man's life", his ex-wife has claimed in a damning interview.
Roslyn Markle, who married Thomas Markle in 1964, alleges that he was abusive, neglectful and repeatedly cheated on her - including with a relative.
The 73-year-old, who has been completely silent since Prince Harry and the former actress met three years ago, warned Meghan would be "a fool" to let her estranged dad back into her life now baby Archie has been born.
"It may sound cliched but a leopard does not change its spots," she Meghan Markle's dad must never be in Archie's life, says his ex-wife
Thomas showed little interest in their children, she alleged, and one Christmas Eve stayed out all night, only to return on Christmas morning before being abusive to Roslyn's mother.
Meghan Markle's dad 'cheated on ex-wife with relative and had affair at work'
He frequently abandoned the young family, she said, starving them of cash and leaving Roslyn little choice but to shoplift to put food on the table.
"Tom was living a single life in Chicago while we were barely surviving," she claimed.
Describing how he drove the young family to his parent's house in Pennsylvania and allegedly dumped them there, she added: "It was left to his parents to feed and clothe us all.
“Tom’s mother Doris and dad Gordon could not have been more different, but it was making them broke.
“They told Tom to come and get us so, reluctantly, he did. But back in Chicago things were no different. He didn’t give me anything.
Meghan Markle's dad must never be in Archie's life, says his ex-wife
“He had cars but never once took the kids or me out. It could be snowing and the children would need food, but he refused to take me.
“I’d either have to take the bus or take out the pram or a cart to get what I needed. It got so bad that one day I had nothing to feed the kids with, I went down the local corner store and got some food.
“I put some items on top of Jnr’s blanket, but I put many underneath it. I am so ashamed, but I had to steal, it was the only way I could feed them.”
Thomas vehemently refutes all the claims.
The pair were married from 1964-1975, before Thomas went on to wed Meghan's mother Doria Ragland in 1979, splitting in 1987.
Roslyn, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, also claimed that during their 11-year marriage her husband would disappear regularly and return the following morning at 10am "smelling of women".
Prince Charles, William and Kate have STILL not met Archie five days after birth
He even said an alleged girlfriend's name while half asleep in bed, she said.
“I knew I had to get away, but I had no money and nowhere to go."
She made the string of explosive claims during the interview and has warned new parents the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to steer clear of Thomas Markle.
Baby Archie - seventh in line to the throne - was born on Monday at Portland Hospital, weighing a healthy 7lbs 3oz.
His proud parents have gushed about how "amazing" parenting is, and their first child's "calm" demeanor.
"It's magic, it's pretty amazing. I have the two best guys in the world so I'm really happy," Meghan said.
