Royal Family Christmas Photos: Meghan, Kate, the Queen

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle is among the newest members of the Royal Family, and she is among the most controversial - perhaps the most controversial addition to the Family since the Duchess of Windsor and her abdicating husband set up a court of exile in France. Harry and Meghan are not in exile, of course, but they have faced a barrage of negative press that is somewhat reminiscent of the media coverage of Harry's mother, Princess Diana.

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Family Turmoil

Meghan has been bedeviled by negative media attention mostly revolving around her relationship with her family. Although the truth is not clear, members of her family have taken to the press - which is a big no for relations of the Royal Family, which strictly controls press contact and keeps a notoriously stiff upper lip.

Most dramatically, Meghan's half-sister, Samantha, has taken to Twitter to repeatedly trash Meghan. Meghan's father has also given press interviews, indicating that he is upset because his daughter has completely shut him out since her wedding. He has accused her of "ghosting" him. Thomas Markle, who lives in Mexico, is a former lighting director. He was supposed to give his daughter away until a paparazzi scandal erupted in which Thomas Markle was accused of staging photos to make himself look better. He apologized and ended up in the hospital with heart issues, and did not come to the wedding. Thomas has repeatedly asked his daughter to mend relations with him and he even requested that the Queen intervene. For her part, Meghan has not commented on the family drama. Her mother has remained close to her and was the only family member to attend her wedding to Prince Harry. Prince Charles gave the bride away since her father was not present. The family turmoil, which has continued for months, has harmed the new couple's ability to craft a public persona in a positive light.