Meghan Markle’s dysfunctional family is in the headlines again.

The Daily Mail is reporting that despite claiming he had to miss the royal wedding due to heart surgery, Meghan’s dad Thomas Markle made the whole thing up.

An alleged insider close to Meghan told the website that after being caught posing for staged photographs which he was paid for, Mr Markle lied about needing heart surgery as an excuse to not attend the May 19 wedding and avoid the spotlight.

“The poor health story was his way of generating some compassion from the public, and taking the attention off those staged photos which were a complete embarrassment to Meghan and the royal family,” the source said.

“If he were truly sick Meghan would have made an effort to visit him. Don’t feel sorry for him. If anything, feel sorry for Meghan,” the source added.

The report comes hours after Meghan’s older sister Samantha, who has publicly criticised her on several occasions, tweeted that Meghan was “cold” for not having much communication with her father.

“My father is not an embarrassment for loving his daughter!” she tweeted.

“The Royals are an embarrassment for being so cold. You should be ashamed of yourselves @Kensington Royal,” she continued.

Meghan’s relationship with her father appears to be strained due to his frequent interviews with media, which is at odds with the royal family’s need for privacy.

In his most recent interview with Good Morning Britain just a few days ago, he claimed Meghan seems “terrified” and her smile looks “pained”.