A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Philippines late on Tuesday night, but as rescuers get to work saving those trapped under the rubble, one victim has some very royal connections
15:02, 01 Oct 2025Updated 15:17, 01 Oct 2025
Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas is in desperate need of help after the earthquake hit the Philippines on Tuesday night(Image: Netflix)
Meghan Markle’s estranged dad has become trapped in his home following a strong earthquake that hit the Philippines. The claims were made by the Duchess of Sussex’s half-sister Samantha.
Thomas Markle upped sticks and moved to the island nation earlier this year, after spending years in the United States. During this time, Meghan tried to reconnect with her father, but he eventually decided against reconciliation.
At the time of the earthquake, which struck late on Tuesday evening (September 30), Thomas was being looked after by the royal’s half-brother Tom. However, following the tremors that struck just off the coast of Cebu island, Thomas has been left stuck several floors in the air.
Samantha Markle appealed for help after dad Thomas was trapped after the earthquake in the Philippines(Image: Sunrise)
The Mirror reports that Samantha — who has been a strong opponent of her half-sister’s royal antics — took to social media to appeal for help. She alleged that following the earthquake, her father has been unable to get out of the high-rise apartment that he is currently living in.
“My father is stuck on the 19th floor of a building in the Philippines after a massive earthquake and he can’t walk and he is trapped,” she typed as she begged for help. In a later post, she penned: “I wish to extend our deep gratitude to everyone expressing concern about my father; thank you.”
She added: “As of today he is OK, and making plans to get out of that building. They seem to be safe for now, and hopefully there will be no serious aftershocks.
“Provisions are being made so that he won’t be trapped in a similar situation again,” she concluded. “God bless and stay safe everyone!”
Since then, Thomas has signalled he is okay despite being caught of the 19th floor of the tower block
Earlier this year, former Hollywood lighting director Thomas was papped outside a supermarket in his new hometown of Cebu as he tried to escape from the sweltering heat. His move now means that he well over 7,000 miles away from his estranged daughter Meghan and her family, including husband Prince Harry and their two children.
Throughout his life, Thomas had suffered from a series of health issues that almost killed him, including two heart attacks and a stroke. He has since been seen needing to use a walking stick in order to navigate the tough roads, which are often cracked due to the heat, as well as the constant stream of traffic.
Thomas and Meghan have a strained relationship, with Thomas admitting he had never met Prince Harry in person. However, he was contacted to give his blessing to the couple getting married back in May of 2018.
Meghan and Thomas Markle have a strained relationship after he was seen staging photos for the paparazzi(Image: Netflix)
At the time, Thomas was due to walk his darling daughter down the aisle at the lavish wedding ceremony at Windsor Castle. However, he was eventually advised by doctors not to go to the wedding at all after he suffered the two heart attacks just days before the wedding was broadcast to the world; he eventually watched the ceremony from an Airbnb, and the pair eventually grew apart when he was seen staging photos for paparazzi.
Speaking on his decision to move to the Philippines, Thomas admitted he was looking to find some stability in his life, especially after his recent health scares. “Mostly I just want peace,” he admitted, “at 80, none of us know how long we have left; I want whatever time I have to be peaceful with none of the awful drama of recent years.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.