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Meghan Markle and her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr. Getty Images, Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Meghan Markle's estranged half-brother blamed the duchess for his homelessness and unemployment.

Thomas Markle Jr., who has not spoken to Meghan since before her royal wedding in 2018, said that "being associated" with her "nearly destroyed" him.

"I am homeless and could have been under a bridge with a cardboard sign begging for money, but thankfully my mum has taken me in," he told the Australian magazine New Idea.

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Meghan Markle's estranged half-brother said that "being associated" with the duchess "nearly destroyed" him.

In an interview with New Idea published Monday, Thomas Markle Jr., 53, blamed his sister for his inability to find a job.

The Australian magazine described him as saying he had lost jobs and now "can't get a new one because of the notoriety of being related to the duchess."

He told New Idea that he was considering changing his surname to escape the Markle "curse."

Markle in Cape Town during the royal tour of South Africa in September. Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

"I am homeless and could have been under a bridge with a cardboard sign begging for money, but thankfully my mum has taken me in," he said.

He added that "Meghan could have helped me or got someone else at the palace to do so."

It's worth noting there could be other factors involved other than his association with his sister.

Markle Jr. was arrested in Oregon in January 2019 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the Daily Mail reported. A police log obtained by the Mail said he was "visibly intoxicated" when he was pulled over.

He was also arrested in 2017, accused of holding a gun to a woman's head during a drunken argument, The Sun reported.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. AP/Star Max

Markle Jr. also spoke to New Idea about Meghan and Prince Harry's decision to leave their royal duties to pursue private careers.

"With everything going on currently, with them leaving the palace and doing things for money, it makes them hypocrites because we, the family, have all been blamed for making money, and now they're doing the same thing," he said. "The only difference is we're all broke."

Meghan hasn't spoken to her father's side of the family since before her royal wedding in 2018. Though she has never spoken publicly about her relationship with the Markles, this isn't the first time her brother has criticized her in the press.

Markle's father, Thomas Markle Sr., appeared in a Channel 5 documentary about his daughter. Channel 5

"I hope Meghan gets in contact, but my dad needs to prepare himself for it never happening," Markle Jr. previously said of his father, Thomas Markle Sr., who made a documentary about his estranged daughter that aired in January.

"She did not get in contact after his heart attack," Markle Jr. added.

He also said he hoped that Meghan's becoming a mother would "open up her eyes and teach her what family means."

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