Cape Town – Thomas Markle claims in a new interview that he initially lied to Prince Harry about staging those paparazzi photos.
ICYMI: The Duchess of Sussex’s father staged photos in which he appears hunched over a computer reading article about his daughter as well as being fitted for a suit, ahead of the royal wedding in May.
The 74-year-old later apologised admitting that he received no financial gain.
“I thought this would be a nice way of improving my look, but obviously that all went to hell. I feel bad about it,” he told Good Morning Britain in an interview. “I apologise for it and that’s all I can do. I can’t do much about it. That was a mistake.”
READ MORE: 10 fascinating things we learned from Thomas Markle’s very first interview
Now, Thomas has revealed, in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, that Prince Harry called him before the story went to press asking him if it was true. He then lied to his daughter’s husband, saying: “No, I was being measured for a hoodie.”
Thomas added that Harry initially warned him about talking to the press.
“Harry told me that I should never go to the press. That it would end in tears. He said, ‘They will eat you alive.’ He was right.”
After an article on Daily Mail exposed Thomas’ deal with paparazzi, Harry and Meghan reportedly called the retired lighting director – who was recovering from a heart attack at the time – to voice their disappointment.
According to Thomas, Harry told him the negative publicity could have been avoided if he had listened to his warning about going to the press.
Thomas told the British newspaper he then responded to Harry, saying: “Maybe it would be better for you guys if I was dead… then you could pretend to be sad.”
Thomas says he then hung up.
Kensington Palace has not yet responded to requests for comment on behalf of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pertaining to Thomas Markle’s comments.