Meghan Markle has responded after a British television host issued an on-air apology for repeating a long-debunked claim about her mother, Doria Ragland.
Earlier this month, GB News commentator Carole Malone claimed during a broadcast of Britain’s Newsroom that Ragland had once been “in jail,” asserting that Meghan was primarily raised by her father, Thomas Markle.
When questioned by a co-host about the claim, Malone was unable to provide any specifics, yet continued to repeat the allegation on air.
On December 15, Malone formally apologized during a subsequent broadcast. “In an episode of Britain’s Newsroom on Thursday, December the 4th, 2025, I stated that Thomas Markle, the Duchess of Sussex’s father, brought Meghan up while her mother, Doria Ragland, was in prison,” Malone said. “I believed this to be the case based on what I now understand to be misinformation I had seen online.”
She continued, “I was questioned about the validity of this claim during the broadcast and I repeated this belief, which I now understand to be false.” Malone added, “This was a genuine error. I accept what I have been told on behalf of Ms. Ragland — that she raised her daughter and that she has never been in prison or jail. I apologize sincerely to Ms. Ragland and her family for any pain my comments may have caused.”
Following the apology, a spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex issued a statement to People, addressing not only the false claim but also its persistence in the British media.
“Broadcasters have a responsibility to inform, not inflame,” the spokesperson said. “This lie was conclusively debunked more than two years ago, yet it continues to be recycled by irresponsible commentators, causing recurring harm.”
The spokesperson further stated, “Ms. Ragland proudly raised her daughter and has never been in prison. GB News did not apologize voluntarily, but only to escape a defamation lawsuit — and it speaks volumes that GB News removed any trace of that apology within 24 hours of making it.”
The claim about Ragland has been repeatedly denied, even as Meghan and Prince Harry have pursued legal action against multiple British media organizations for privacy violations and defamatory reporting.
Despite those lawsuits and prior public corrections, the allegation has continued to reappear in commentary and online discourse.
GB News declined to comment when contacted by People.