Network Apologizes to Meghan Markle’s Mom Over ‘Highly Defamatory’ Claim
2 hours ago
2,341
U.K. commentator Carole Malone apologized on GB News for falsely claiming that Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, spent time in prison—an allegation she now accepts was “misinformation I had seen online.”
The former tabloid journalist made the remark on the Britain’s Newsroom show while discussing Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, on December 4, the day it was first reported he was in intensive care at a hospital in the Philippines. Markle Sr. ultimately had a leg amputated to remove a 14-inch blood clot that caused necrosis, or tissue death, in his foot.
Malone issued a formal apology after a complaint from Ragland to GB News. She said: “I apologize sincerely to Ms. Ragland and her family for any pain my comments may have caused.”
A source close to Ragland, whom Newsweek has granted anonymity so they could speak freely, did not rule out a libel action when approached by Newsweek: “As for whether this marks the end of the matter, that will be for Ms. Ragland and her lawyers to decide.”
Why It Matters
GB News are regular critics of Meghan Markle so her fans will likely celebrate the retraction as a victory for the Duchess of Sussex and her mother. Harry and Meghan have talked many times about the dangers of online “misinformation.”
What to Know
Malone told GB News viewers: “In an episode of Britain’s Newsroom, on Thursday, December 4, 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. This was a genuine error. I accept what I have now 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.”
Andrew Pierce, a columnist for the Daily Mail and a GB News presenter, added: “Can I just say on behalf of GB News, because 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.”
A source close to Ragland told Newsweek: “A complaint was lodged with the channel regarding false and highly defamatory allegations made by Carole Malone on a GB News program. As for whether this marks the end of the matter, that will be for Ms. Ragland and her lawyers to decide.”
What People Are Saying
One supporter of Meghan wrote on X: “LOL. GB News issued a live apology to Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, but later deleted the entire show from YouTube to suppress the embarrassment. Share the full clip widely, people. #HarryAndMeghan.”
Prominent U.K. X account Mukhtar wrote: “Carole Malone and GB News had to make an on-air apology to Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle’s mum, after Carole falsely claimed that Doria had been in jail.”
What Happens Next
Ragland and her lawyers do not yet appear to have ruled out filing a libel suit so time will tell whether this is the end of the issue or not.
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
Um die besten Erfahrungen zu bieten, verwenden wir Technologien wie Cookies, um Geräteinformationen zu speichern und/oder darauf zuzugreifen. Wenn Sie diesen Technologien zustimmen, können wir Daten wie das Surfverhalten oder eindeutige IDs auf dieser Website verarbeiten. Die Nichteinwilligung oder der Widerruf der Einwilligung kann bestimmte Merkmale und Funktionen beeinträchtigen.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
