Dressed in their best tropical get-up, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan visited the University of the South Pacific in Fiji for part of their royal tour yesterday.
And it was a big day for the Duchess of Sussex who made her first speech as an official member of the royal family. The former Meghan Markle drew on her own experiences as a university student and confessed she’d relied on “scholarships and financial aid programmes,” to earn her degree.
But half-sister Samantha Markle was quick to take to Twitter and say that their father, Thomas Markle financed her tertiary education.
“Dad paid her college tuition! She forgot the most important part of her speech and there are receipts to prove it. I love my sister but this is ridiculous. You can’t lie like this, Meg! Delusionally absurd,” the 53 year-old penned on social media.
Meghan’s half sister has called the Duchess’s claims “delusionally absurd.” (Image: Getty Images)
Meghan, who attended Northwestern University in the United States and studied theatre and international studies, spoke to the audience in Fiji of her “incredible, impactful and pivotal” journey of higher education.
“I am also fully aware of the challenges of being able to afford this level of schooling for many people around the world – myself included. It was through scholarships, financial aid programmes and work-study where my earnings from a job on campus went directly towards my tuition – that I was able to attend university,” she said in her speech.
However in his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, royal biographer Andrew Morton says Thomas Markle won the California State Lottery in 1990, “scooping $US750,000 with five numbers, which included Meghan’s birth date,” and used the money to fund her $16,000-a-year school tuition at Immaculate Heart Catholic School, one of LA’s finest schools, as well as her university education.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Thomas Marle has revealed, “When Meghan was 11, she moved back in with me up until she was 17 and went to college.”
“I was having my good years then, making good money, and could afford to give her the best, with a good school, good education, good home.”
“She became the woman that she is today thanks to everything I did for her.”
READ MORE: Thomas Markle’s biggest gaffes.
The royal couple rocked their florals on their official trip to Fiji. (Image: Getty Images)
No matter what her sister says, Prince Harry was very proud of his leading lady. According to reporter Omid Scobie, the red-headed royal was also meant to give a speech, but the host nearly forgot to introduce him.
“Ten out of 10 for the recovery. I thought I got away with it,” Harry joked at the university podium.
“No way that I could follow my wife after that.”
READ MORE: Duchess Meghan whisked away from crowds in Fiji amid security concerns.
The royal couple will continue on their tour of the South Pacific, with their next stop in Tonga before they return to Sydney for the Invictus Games closing ceremony.
WATCH: Duchess Meghan in Fiji as part of the royal tour.
