The ongoing and deeply personal estrangement between the Duchess of Sussex and her father has been thrust back into the spotlight following a serious health crisis. Thomas Markle, 81, is reportedly fighting for his life in a Philippines hospital after undergoing emergency surgery to amputate his left foot and lower leg.
A Desperate Health Crisis and a Plea for Compassion
Thomas Markle was rushed to intensive care on Tuesday after a blood clot cut off circulation to his limb, causing it to turn black. He subsequently endured a three-hour operation on Wednesday to amputate the affected area. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., has revealed that doctors remain "extremely concerned" and that his father faces another procedure to remove a further clot in his left thigh.
From his father's hospital bedside, Thomas Jr. has issued a public plea to his half-sister. "I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts," he stated. "My only wish is that Meghan shows my father some compassion. He is literally fighting for his life." He later implored both Meghan and Prince Harry directly to reach out.
It has been claimed that neither the Duchess nor the Duke have made contact with Thomas Markle since he fell ill. The rift, which became public in the lead-up to Meghan's 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, has seen her cut ties not only with her father but also with her half-siblings, Samantha and Thomas Jr.
The Roots of a Royal Rift
The fracture began just before the royal wedding in May 2018. Initially confirmed to walk his daughter down the aisle, Thomas Markle became embroiled in a media scandal after being caught staging paparazzi photographs for payment. He subsequently pulled out of the ceremony, with Kensington Palace citing a heart attack as the reason for his absence.
This incident marked the beginning of a very public and bitter feud. Thomas Markle has never met his son-in-law, Prince Harry, or his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. In the years since, he has made numerous appeals for reconciliation, stating he is "desperate" for his daughter's forgiveness.
Meghan addressed the painful situation during her and Harry's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, confessing, "I grieve a lot. I've lost my father." This stands in stark contrast to their earlier relationship; Meghan lived with her father from age 11 to 18 and once described him online as "thoughtful, inspiring, hardworking."
Royal Reactions and the Search for Peace
The unusual family dynamic reportedly raised concerns within the royal family itself. According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, the Princess of Wales was left 'concerned' and 'fearful' by the situation before the wedding. Kate, who is exceptionally close to her own family, could not comprehend why Harry had never met his future father-in-law.
Prince Harry himself inadvertently added fuel to the fire in a 2017 radio interview. When discussing family customs, he remarked that Meghan was "getting in there and it's the family, I suppose, she's never had." This comment was seen as dismissive of her existing family and, as noted in the book Finding Freedom, "heightened the already tenuous family dynamic."
In a bid to escape the "constant pain" of the estrangement, Thomas Markle relocated to the Philippines in January 2025. He spoke of seeking a "quieter, friendlier existence" and peace for his remaining years. However, his health has continued to decline, following two heart attacks before the wedding and a life-threatening stroke that affected his speech.
Despite the years of silence and public acrimony, Thomas Markle has consistently stated his love for his daughter. In a September 2025 television appearance, he said, "I've always been here for her, I love her, I'll love her forever." His recent reflection during a terrifying earthquake in his high-rise apartment was perhaps the most poignant: "If we die tonight, do you think Meghan will come to my funeral?"
As Thomas Markle remains in a stable but critical condition, the world watches to see if this latest medical emergency will prompt a long-awaited private communication, or if the chasm between father and daughter remains irrevocably wide.
