Meghan Markle's half brother, Thomas Markle, Jr., is blaming the royal engagement for a drunken fight that ensued with his fiance on New Year.
The Daily Mail earlier reported that Tom's fiance, Darlene Blount, was sent to jail after the couple had an intense fight at their Oregon home. According to his earlier statement to the media outlet, Blount started "pummelling me in the face with her fists." But he later changed his tune, saying his injuries were self-inflicted.
Tom blames the altercation to all the media attention they have been receiving since Meghan's engagement.
"It hasn't been easy. Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry has shone a spotlight on our family," Tom told the Daily Mail. "It doesn't help when you have issues and your sister is engaged to Royalty. It adds a whole new level of scrutiny."
He added that they have been under a lot of stress because of all the attention. "At some point you find yourself drinking too much to escape the pressure."
Meghan and Prince Harry reportedly welcomed the New Year "partying like tycoons" in Monaco with the independent city-state's Prince Albert and his wife, Princess Charlene.
While that was happening, Meghan's 51-year-old half-brother was having a huge row at a bar with his fiance. Blount reportedly left the bar in rage. Tom then also went back to their bungalow, where he continued his drinking.
Later, when Blount arrived home as well, Tom said she immediately downed a bottle of bourbon. An argument then ensued.
It was Blount who called the police, but she ended up being arrested instead. "I might have said Darlene beat me up," Tom explained. "It was a big confusion."
Later, it was also Tom who bailed Blount out by paying $1,000. He has since vowed to "seek help" following the altercation.
This was not the first time the couple was engaged in a huge fight. In January 2017, Tom was also arrested for reportedly pointing a gun at Blount's head, also during a drunken row.
