Thomas Markle Snr, 80, has moved to the Philippines, more than 7,000 miles away from Meghan, 43, Prince Harry, 40, and his grandkids Archie and Lilibet
Meghan has been estranged from her father since around her wedding in 2018
Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Snr, is currently residing in a $660-per-month high-rise apartment in the Philippines. He lives under sweltering conditions with temperatures reaching 100F and humidity levels at 90%, while being looked after by Meghan’s half-brother.
The 80 year old has relocated to the densely populated island of Cebu, which is over 7,000 miles away from his daughter Meghan, 43, her husband Prince Harry, 40, and his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet.
Photos depict the former Hollywood lighting director sitting alone, taking a break in the scorching heat outside a supermarket near his new residence on Wednesday. This was the day following Archie’s sixth birthday, an occasion he missed.
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Thomas, who has suffered two heart attacks and a stroke in recent years, now has to contend with the tropical island’s harsh climate. This week, temperatures soared to 91F with nearly 90% humidity.
The regional Emmy award-winner has been spotted using a walking stick to navigate the area’s uneven roads and paths, many of which are impacted by constant traffic and the relentless weather, reports the Mirror.
A source revealed: “There are only two types of weather in Cebu: hot and humid, and hot and humid and raining. It’s brutal even for men half his age, but it’s still sad to see him looking as though he’s struggling.”
The source added: “Thomas and his son only recently moved into the property and they are still finding their feet in Cebu after the big move abroad, but they’re here together and are firmly supporting each other.”
Thomas Snr and Meghan’s older half-brother Thomas Jnr, 58 – who was recently spotted exiting the apartment hand-in-hand with a younger lady – previously resided in a modest three-star hotel on Cebu before settling into their new flat. After spending ten years in a coastal bungalow in Rosarito, Mexico, which lies just about 250 miles from the lavish residence of the Sussexes in Montecito, California, Thomas Snr made the move.
Meghan and Thomas in happier and younger times(Image: Netflix)
Their departure followed the arrival of boxes packed with Thomas’s possessions, believed to contain treasures such as photo albums chronicling family moments with Meghan. Despite its unassuming setting, a stone’s throw from a bustling seven-lane thoroughfare, the apartment complex is seen as rather upscale in the Philippines, especially considering the average salary there barely exceeds $9,300 per year.
The island city of Cebu is home to over three million individuals, with roughly 900,000 living below the poverty threshold, recent statistics show. For them, daily life contrasts sharply with the opulence that Meghan and her husband Harry relish in their sprawling Californian estate worth millions.
This week, to commemorate young Archie’s sixth birthday, Meghan shared an endearing snapshot of him alongside well-wishes for her “sweet boy” on Tuesday.
The photograph, which captures the young child from behind, silhouetted against a vibrant sunset, was reportedly taken in Mexico. This Instagram post came after a contentious interview Harry gave to the BBC following the Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss his challenge regarding armed protection in the UK.
In the interview, the prince alleged that his father, who has been undergoing cancer treatment for over a year, “won’t speak to me”. He expressed uncertainty about how much time King Charles has left, adding that “life is precious”.
Despite expressing a desire for reconciliation with his family, Harry also told the BBC that he believes the court verdict was “a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up”, and accused the Royal Household of influencing the decision to cut back his taxpayer-funded security, which was reduced following his departure from Royal duties in 2020.
Referring to his contentious memoir Spare, published more than two years ago, Harry stated: “Of course some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. They will never forgive me for lots of things. There’s no point in continuing to fight any more. Life is precious.”
He continued: “I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff. But it would be nice to reconcile.”
Harry has never met his father-in-law Thomas Snr, but did have a phone conversation with him prior to marrying Meghan in May 2018, during which he asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Thomas was initially set to escort his daughter, the former Suits actress, down the aisle at Windsor Castle. However, due to health complications, he was forced to withdraw from the ceremony on his doctors’ advice.
Having suffered two heart attacks, he was hospitalized and underwent a procedure to insert two stents just days before the wedding.
Instead of attending the highly publicized event, which drew an estimated two billion viewers worldwide, Thomas watched from an Airbnb after being discharged from the hospital. This medical ordeal followed a controversy surrounding Thomas Snr’s involvement in staged paparazzi photos prior to the ceremony.
According to friends, his decision to start anew abroad was motivated by a desire for “peace” and to be among “kinder people”.
In January, Thomas revealed his plans to relocate to South East Asia, sharing, “I travelled in that part of the world when I was a younger man. The people are so kind and welcoming, and they are respectful to older people. It is a place of culture and beauty.”
Now 80, Thomas feels it’s time to settle in a place where people are friendly, and he can enjoy a more serene existence. He noted that South East Asia offers good medical care, a reasonable cost of living, kind locals who respect the elderly, and healthy food options.
Above all, Thomas seeks peace, acknowledging that at his age, the future is uncertain. He wishes to spend his remaining time in tranquility, free from the drama of recent years.
Speaking about Charles, who stepped in to walk Meghan down the aisle in his absence, he remarked: “I’m a grandfather and he is King of England – but he too is a grandfather who would like to see his grandkids.”
The relationship between Thomas and Charles with their mutual grandchildren is distant. Thomas has yet to meet Archie or Lilibet, while it’s believed that Charles has only had a few encounters with Archie.
The King reportedly has met Lilibet, named after his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, just once since her birth in June 2021.
Thomas Snr further stated: “I’m not running away. I am going in search of a more positive life. Every day I see something about Meghan. I wish her no ill will. My dream is that one day I could bring my whole family together, like a ‘normal’ family.”