On Dec. 15, clips circulated online showing commentator Carole Malone apologizing during a broadcast on GB News.
Malone Admits Error on GB News
Malone said on air: “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. I believed this to be the case based on what I now understand to be misinformation I had seen online. I was questioned about the validity of this claim during the broadcast and I repeated this belief, which I now understand to be false.”
She continued: “This was a genuine error. 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. I apologize sincerely to Ms. Ragland and her family for any pain my comments may have caused, and I’m happy to set the record straight.”
Anchor Andrew Pierce added during the broadcast: “Can I just say I’m up for GB News cause I was on the program that day. We all wish to apologize to Ms. Ragland for the error, and we are happy to correct the record.”
Meghan Markle’s Team Responds
In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex said: “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 continued: “Ms. Ragland proudly raised her daughter and has never been in prison. GB News did not apologize voluntarily, but only to escape a defamation lawsuit — and it speaks volumes that GB News removed any trace of that apology within 24hrs of making it.”
A spokesperson for GB News declined to comment when contacted by PEOPLE.
How the False Claim Arose
Malone, 71, made the incorrect statement earlier this month on Britain’s Newsroom as reports surfaced that Thomas Markle had undergone an emergency leg amputation in the Philippines, where he currently lives.
“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. Not just seen him, she’s like, totally snubbed him, Thomas,” Malone said incorrectly in a clip shared on X.
“When was that mom in jail?” her co-presenter asked.
“Years ago,” Malone replied. “Do you want me to give you the precise date and time? Because I haven’t got that.”
“I never heard that before ever,” the presenter responded.
Meghan Markle’s Relationship With Her Mother
Meghan, 44, has often spoken about her close bond with her mother. She has shared memories of Ragland serving as her Girl Scouts troop leader and revealed that Ragland has called her “Flower” since childhood. In her recent Netflix holiday special, the Duchess of Sussex prepared her mother’s gumbo recipe, a tradition from their Christmas Eve celebrations.
“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 told PEOPLE in May 2018. “I definitely feel Meghan gets a lot of that from her mother.”
Estrangement From Thomas Markle
The Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her father, now 81, since shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.
Their relationship deteriorated after Thomas admitted to staging paparazzi photos and, according to Meghan, was not honest with her about his dealings with the press.
She addressed the rift during her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying, “I’ve lost my father.”
Despite their estrangement, PEOPLE confirmed on Dec. 10 that Meghan sent a letter to Thomas following his emergency surgery, after days of conflicting reports regarding her ability to contact him.
