The father and half-sister of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, have launched fresh tirades against Britain's royal family over an alleged 'silent treatment' ever since the former actress got married to Prince Harry. Thomas Markle, who celebrated his 74th birthday today, said he would continue to speak to the media until the royal family breaks its silence. 'I was silent for a full year and the press beat me up every day saying I was a hermit hiding in Mexico, so I gave my story,' he said.

"Apparently that interview put the royal family in their silence mode... so, I gave another interview to break the silence. All they have to do is speak to me,' he said. In an interview with celebrity news website 'TMZ', he also indicated his amusement at the effect he had on the British royal family. 'I'm enjoying the fact that I can make the entire royal family not speak and maybe I can get a laugh out of the Duchess," he said. Markle, a former Hollywood lighting director, has given numerous interviews in recent months, including a paid interview with the 'Sun' newspaper in which he revealed his former actress daughter hadn't returned his calls for over two months. He has been at the centre of media controversies ever since he was caught up in a staged-photography row days before the wedding. It resulted in him not attending the wedding to walk his daughter down the aisle at Windsor Castle on May 19, something he later said he cried over. In his latest interview, he expressed fears over Meghan's well-being as the newest member of the royal family in Britain.