Meghan Markle has reportedly remained estranged from her father, Thomas Markle, for around seven years, although the pair are said to have exchanged communication at the end of last year following a serious health scare. The Duchess of Sussex is understood to have sent a handwritten letter to her father while he was recovering in hospital in the Philippines after undergoing a life-saving leg amputation. The former Hollywood lighting director has since returned to the United States to continue his medical treatment, prompting speculation that a reunion with his daughter could still be possible.
Despite Thomas expressing a desire to meet Meghan, as well as his grandchildren and Prince Harry, such a meeting is thought to be unlikely. Royal commentator Hugo Vickers suggested Thomas may be deeply disappointed by how events have unfolded within the family.
Before the breakdown in relations ahead of Meghan’s wedding to King Charles’s younger son, it was also reported that Harry had never met his father-in-law. According to Vickers’ speculation, concern over what Thomas might say could have played a role in the distance between them. “I raise it as a possibility,” he told GB News. “I think more likely she was nervous that he might say something to Prince Harry.”
He also noted that Thomas had previously been close to Meghan during her upbringing, adding that the situation appears painful for him, given their estrangement.
He explained that Thomas was good to Meghan as she was growing up.
He said: “If you listen to what he says as opposed to how his words are reported, you will find a decent man who must feel extremely let down. It was in fact a member of Prince Harry’s family who suggested that she might have been nervous of what he might say.”
He suggested it was possible that Meghan still doesn’t want Harry and her father to meet, which is why she has also shunned plans to reunite with Thomas Markle.