Meghan Markle's father Thomas in intensive care following 'emergency surgery'
Meghan reportedly fell out with her dad in the lead-up to her weddingThomas Markle, the father of Meghan Markle, is in intensive care following emergency surgery, his son has revealed.
Meghan has been estranged from her father for many years now. They fell out in the lead-up to Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
Thomas, 81, now lives in the Philippines. His son and Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, has said he was rushed to hospital on Tuesday after falling ill at home.
Meghan Markle’s father Thomas in hospital after falling ill
According to the MailOnline, Thomas underwent around three hours of surgery on Wednesday and remains in intensive care.
He now reportedly faces a second procedure to remove a blood clot.
His son Thomas Jr told the publication: “I took dad to a hospital close to our home and they did various scans and the doctors said his life was in imminent danger.
I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts.
“They raced us by ambulance, with the sirens going, to a much bigger hospital in the centre of the city. My dad has undergone emergency surgery. I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts.”
Meanwhile, Thomas’ daughter and Meghan’s half-sister Samantha has added: “He is a strong man, but he has been through so much. I am praying that he is strong enough to survive this.
“My father has been through two heart attacks, a stroke and an earthquake. I hope he can pull through this.”
Meghan’s relationship with her dad
For many years, Meghan reportedly hasn’t had a relationship with her father.
In the months leading up to Meghan and Harry’s wedding in May 2018, retired television lighting director Thomas was accused of staging paparazzi photos.
The images showed him browsing the internet on Meghan and Harry’s nuptials. He then didn’t attend her wedding after undergoing heart surgery.
He has since apologised for the photos and has tried to reconcile with Meghan on several attempts.
In 2019, a private letter Meghan had written to her father the year prior was published. In it, it detailed her deep feelings about their relationship. Meghan later sued the Mail on Sunday for publishing the private note.
During a court hearing in 2021, Thomas said the letter “signalled the end of our relationship”.
Thomas has reached out to Meghan on a few occasions, including on live TV.
In January of this year, he announced he was moving to Asia to mark a “fresh start”.
Speaking to the MailOnline, Thomas said that he wishes Meghan “no ill-will”.
Thomas also admitted his “dream” was that “one day I could bring my whole family together, like a ‘normal’ family”.
According to reports, Thomas hasn’t met Prince Harry nor his grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle show ‘different side to their relationship’ on With Love, Meghan
Send your well-wishes to Thomas on our Facebook page @RoyalInsider.
