Meghan Markle's sister says future royal should help poverty-stricken father

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Meghan Markle's half-sister sets the record straight

Meghan Markle's half-sister, Samantha Grant, wants to dispel rumors about her family resulting from vicious media scrutiny stemming from the royal engagement announcement.

The half-sister of royal bride-to-be Meghan Markle says the former actress has turned her back on her family, with some members not sure if they will receive an invite to her wedding.

Samantha Markle describes her relationship with Meghan, who will wed Prince Harry in a lavish ceremony on May 19 at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, as fractured.

Their lives could not be any more different. One is the beautiful former "Suits" star preparing to marry into a life of unimaginable wealth and privilege.

The other is an unemployed resident of Ocala, a small town in rural Florida.

In a scathing interview with A Current Affair, Samantha, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair, accused Meghan of not doing enough to help their father, who declared bankruptcy in 2016 and now lives in Mexico.

Samantha told ACA she contacted Meghan on behalf of Thomas Markle, seeking financial assistance, but was left disappointed.

“Honestly — what she could spend in a weekend would greatly help dad, so that should be a priority,” says Samantha.

“I think you need to step up to the plate and make sure he is well taken care of.”

Samatha referred to the designer dress Meghan wore in her official engagement photos with Prince Harry.

“If you can afford $75,000 for a dress, you can afford $75,000 to help your dad. That’s how I feel, that’s who I am,” she said.

Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas, already had two children, Samantha and Thomas junior, when he married Doria, Meghan’s mother.

Despite her accusations, Samatha told A Current Affair she was not bitter. She admitted that she had not spoken to Meghan in three years, which she partly puts down to Thomas junior’s long history of alcohol abuse.

“I was always very proud of her. I never felt bitter or jealous. I had made similar choice. Because early in my life, that I wanted I took my career to the level in television as well when I made the decision and I quit to get my degrees. To go back to school when I made those choices, So how can I be bitter I had my successes.”

Samatha told ACA she was “sad” to see Meghan divorce her first husband.

“I was sad to see them divorce. Not to diminish Harry’s social status or royal status, but in a way Trevor [Engelson] was royal too,” Samantha revealed.

“I really liked him though and admired him so much because he was so lovely to our grandmother when she was in the nursing home.”

This article originally appeared on news.com.au.