Meghan’s father Thomas Markle is currently ‘fighting for his life’ after undergoing amputation surgery and losing his leg. And now his family have issued a fresh plea to the duchess
Meghan Markle’s troubled father opened up about his painful estrangement from his daughter just weeks before he found himself “fighting for his life” in hospital.
The 81-year-old reportedly underwent an intense three-hour operation on Wednesday to have his left foot and lower leg amputated after a blood clot cut off circulation, causing the limb to go black. He was rushed to intensive care in his new home country of the Phillipines after falling ill on Tuesday.
The former Hollywood lighting engineer is said to be facing another procedure to remove a blood clot in his left thigh. According to Mr Markle’s son Thomas Jr, doctors remain “extremely concerned” for his welfare. Meghan’s father remains in intensive care in a stable condition, according to reports.
READ MORE: Inside Meghan Markle’s estrangement with dad Thomas and why Kate was left ‘fearful’READ MORE: Inside Thomas Markle’s life in the Philippines – cheap flat and reason behind moveREAD MORE: Royal Family LIVE: Meghan’s dad loses leg after life-saving surgery
Thomas found himself at the centre of a worldwide media scandal when he was caught staging paparazzi snaps of himself preparing for his daughter Meghan’s wedding in exchange for payment, and ever since then, the pair have been estranged. Thomas has never met Prince Harry or his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet.
Neither Meghan or Harry have made contact with Thomas since he fell ill, it has been claimed. In 2021, Meghan opened up about her estranged father during the Sussexes’ explosive sit-down with Oprah Winfrey. “I grieve a lot,” she confessed, before adding: “I mean, I’ve lost my father.”
Thomas has suffered from ill health in recent years, including two heart attacks on the eve of Meghan’s wedding and a life-threatening stroke that left him needing therapy to speak. Fears were also raised in October when the pensioner found himself “trapped” in his flat on the 19th-floor of a tower block in on the island of Cebu in the Philippines while a “terrifying” earthquake took hold. He relocated to the country in January for a fresh start – and to escape the ‘constant pain’ of his estrangement from Meghan – having previously lived in Mexico for 10 years.
As the building swayed “violently,” he told the Daily Mail’s Caroline Graham, who was there in his apartment: “If we die tonight, do you think Meghan will come to my funeral?” Then, apparently with a chuckle, he added: “Will I get a better funeral because my son-in-law is fifth in line to the throne?”
Thomas’ daughter Samantha – who is also estranged from Meghan – claimed that her father was trapped in his £500-a-month flat after the disaster struck. However, he strangely later declared that he was “fine” and told people not to worry.
Meghan’s dad found himself at the centre of a worldwide media scandal when he was caught staging paparazzi snaps of himself preparing for her wedding in exchange for payment. He then announced he would not be attending after the fallout him looking “stupid and hammy”.
The Palace, meanwhile, announced Thomas had suffered a heart attack, suggesting this was the reason for his absence. Over the years, Thomas has made public pleas to his daughter to reconcile and has said he is “desperate” for Meghan to forgive him.
