In a poignant revelation, Thomas Markle, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, has disclosed that he has deliberately kept the same telephone number for years, clinging to the hope that his daughter Meghan would one day use it to reconnect.
A Father's Desperate Hope
The 81-year-old made the emotional admission in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, stating he ensured Meghan "could always get in touch with me." This comes amid a serious health crisis for Thomas, who recently underwent a life-saving amputation of his left leg in the Philippines. Surgeons confirmed that had the infection in his foot spread to his heart, the consequences would likely have been fatal.
Thomas Markle's relationship with his daughter has been severely strained since 2018. The rift began when it emerged he had allegedly staged paparazzi photographs ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry. The fallout was so profound that Thomas pulled out of walking her down the aisle, a role subsequently taken by King Charles.
Wishes for Reconciliation Before It's Too Late
Despite the years of silence and public disputes, Thomas's deepest wish remains to heal the family divide. He has expressed a heartfelt desire to reconcile with Meghan, meet his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet, and finally be introduced to his son-in-law, Prince Harry.
"I’ve always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter," Thomas told the publication. "I have never stopped loving her. I don’t want to die estranged from Meghan. I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband too."
Conflicting Accounts and Family Tensions
The situation remains complex, with conflicting reports about communication. According to the BBC, a spokesman for Meghan stated, "I can confirm she has reached out to her father." However, sources close to the Duchess claimed her team had no prior knowledge of the interview and would have advised Thomas to check his email privately had they known.
Adding to the family discord, Meghan's half-sister, Samantha Markle, has publicly denied receiving any contact from Meghan. On social media platform X, she dismissed quotes from the Duchess's associates as "PR b********t."
Thomas Markle's surgeon, speaking with his permission, provided an update on his condition, noting, "He is doing well but he is not out of the woods yet." As Thomas continues his recovery, the unaltered digits on his phone stand as a silent testament to a father's unwavering, if heartbreaking, hope.
