Meghan Markle’s family are hardly media shy, but now her nephew is taking the major step into reality celeb-dom
Royals and reality TV might sound a little incongruous, but MTV’s latest show is combining the two to what we imagine will be hilarious results.
The Royal World brings together 12 guys and gals from nobility and aristocracy from around the world, and puts them together in a stately home in the British countryside for a few months. There’s the son of an African chief, the two sons of Lady Colin Campbell and some of the finest family names from the upper echelons of the esteemed classes.
But 25-year-od Tyler Dooley’s links to the show are more tenuous. Hailing from California, he runs a marijuana farm with his mum – he also happens to be the son of Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr.
Despite the tenuous link, Tyler insists that he and Auntie Meghan - currently thought to be about five months pregnant – were close growing up.
“Meghan was just a part of our normal American family and I viewed her as a sister you know? She was fun,” he told his housemates on the show.
“We were born and raised together in Los Angeles. I looked at her as a sister actually because we were similar in age.”
He continued: “We would idolize her as kids. Her personality is unreal. Her smile, she's just phenomenal. I am just happy that she found someone that she loves.”
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1 of 16Marnie Simpson and Casey Johnson
Marnie Simpson announced she was pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Casey Johnson in April, after fearing she was infertile.
2 of 16Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Strictly Come Dancing love birds Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson announced their pregnancy with an adorable instagram snap of their two pups Norman and Ollie with signs around their necks saying "Guess what... Mum's pregnant! We're going to be big brothers!"Aww!
3 of 16Jess Hayes and Dan Lawry
Love Island winner Jess Hayes announced she's pregnant with her first child with Dan Lawry, and the happy couple are expecting in July.
4 of 16Myleene Klass and Simon Motson
Former Hear'Say singer and TV presenter Myleene Klass has announced that she is pregnant with her third child.Myleene, 40, revealed the happy news on Instagram on Valentines Day with an adorable photo of her baby bump with the simple caption '❤ufe0f'.This will be Myleene's third child but her first with her partner Simon Motson. Myleene already has daughters, Ava, 11 and Hero, 7.
5 of 16Hayley Tamaddon
Actress Hayley Tamaddon, who's starred in Emmerdale and Corrie, announced she's expecting her first child - age 42!"I'm so pleased to tell you all... I'm expecting my first child with my wonderful boyfriend Adrian!!" she said. "I've always wanted to be a mum and didn't think I could have children. And now, at the ripe old age of 42 - I'M PREGNANT! And We couldn't be happier. "
6 of 16Chloe Lewis
Chloe Lewis announced her pregnancy with boyfriend Danny Flasher in May, with a v. cute Instagram post.
7 of 16Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
Strictly Come Dancing lovers Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev announced they'd be having their first child in May.
8 of 16Julia Goudling and Ben Silver
Congrats are in order for Coronation Street actor Julia Goulding and her husband Ben Silver who are expecting their first child – just three months after getting married.
9 of 16Hannah Elizabeth
Original Love Islander Hannah Elizabeth has been celebrating her pregnancy with some very racy lingerie snaps. She made her announcement in May.
10 of 16Malia Arkian
Most famous for getting ejected from the Love Island villa just HOURS after arriving in 2016, Malia Arkian announced in June that she was expecting her first child with, and was engaged to, her footballer boyfriend Hope Akpan.
11 of 16Helen Briggs and Chet Johnson
One of the only successful couples to have come from Ex on the Beach, Helen Briggs and Chet Johnson, have announced their first pregnancy with a really gorgeous snap on Instagram. "Half me, half you," wrote Helen, alongside the post.
12 of 16Anna Willamson and Alex Di Pasquale
Anna Williamson announced her second pregnancy with husband Alex Di Pasquale with a gorgeous cover shoot with OK! magazine. "I'm not getting any younger, so when we discovered I was pregnant, we were so pleased," she said.
13 of 16Jeremy McConnell and Katie McCreath
Jeremy McConnell's girlfriend Katie McCreath confirmed she's expecting their first child together (and Jeremy's second) a week after Jeremy made his own announcement on Instagramwhich he then claimed was "a prank".
14 of 16Joe Wicks and Rosie Jones
Joe Wicks announced he was expecting his second child with wife Rosie Jones with a lovely family snap on Instagram which showed off Rosie's 19-week bump. "We are very happy and excited to grow our family," he said.
15 of 16Jeremy Kyle and Vicky Burton
Jeremy Kyle announced he was going to be a dad again in August, to his first child with girlfriend Vicky Burton, following the axing of his daytime TV show.
16 of 16Aaron announced he was expecting his first child with girlfriend Talia Oatway, with some beautiful family portraits of them together along with Talia's daughter, who Aaron's played step-dad to since they got together two years ago. The shock announcement came just days after reports the couple had split as they unfollowed each other on social media.
Aaron announced he was expecting his first child with girlfriend Talia Oatway, with some beautiful family portraits of them together along with Talia's daughter, who Aaron's played step-dad to since they got together two years ago.The shock announcement came just days after reports the couple had split as they unfollowed each other on social media.
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Tyler is quoted as viewing himself as more ‘real’ than the other royals on the show, working seven days a week for his money, and leading a normal – though still privileged – life in America.
When we spoke to affiliate and super-fan Vicky Pattison last week, who has been heavily involved in the promo of the show, she seemed particularly excited about Tyler’s presence.
“I got involved with the show because I absolutely love reality TV, and when I heard Meghan Markle’s nephew was in it that was it, I had to get involved,” she said.
“It just goes to show that nobody is immune to reality TV!"