Meghan Markle’s TV-father gave paternal advice to her real dad

Wendell Pierce, Meghan Markle's former co-star, and TV dad has a simple message for Thomas Markle: 'Just love your daughter.'

Pierce starred as Robert Zane, Markle's father on the USA series "Suits." He walked her down the aisle for a wedding scene marking her leave from the show in April.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Pierce showed his fatherly instincts with just a few words. He addressed Thomas' ongoing exchanges with the press about Meghan.

"If you care about Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, then that should be first and foremost in your mind before you say anything."

The 54-year-old actor, who starred in "The Odd Couple," knew something big was coming for the actress long before her real wedding. He suspected it "from the increased security [he] saw around her."

Follow us on Twitter for more @amomama_usa.

Before the special marriage scene, he shared a touching message with Markle:

“We had a moment I cherish. I was sitting with Meghan in her wedding dress, as we waited for a set-up. We were alone. I said to her, ‘Your life is going to change. It’s going to be amazing and I’m very happy for you but I want you to know that I’m your friend, and no matter where you are or what’s going on – if the fishbowl that you’re in ever starts getting to you – you can call me’.”

After the marriage, Meghan had to deal with her father's incessant comments about herself and her new royal in-laws. The former lighting director recently compared the monarchy to "Scientologists or the Stepford family."

Thomas asserted, "If they hear anybody or say anything they just lock the doors. They need to speak up!"

But Pierce is the one speaking up about Thomas's bitter attitude. He put it simply:

"If you love your daughter, just love your daughter. It's not for public consumption."

In July 2018, Chrissy Teigen also expressed how fed up she is about Thomas' remarks against the royal family and his distant relationship with his daughter. She said on Twitter: "let your daughter be happy, please. this is embarrassing."

The straightforward messages of Pierce and Teigen may or may not get through to Thomas eventually.