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Meghan contacts hospitalized father amid health crisis
The Duchess of Sussex has attempted to reach her estranged father, Thomas Markle, who is reportedly gravely ill in a Philippine hospital, a spokesperson confirmed on Saturday.
Health complications and surgery
Thomas Markle underwent surgery that resulted in the amputation of his leg, according to reports. The 80-year-old has been hospitalized in the Philippines, where his condition remains serious.
Meghan's spokesperson stated that she made contact earlier in the day, though it remains unclear whether the communication was successful.
Strained relationship resurfaces
The relationship between Meghan and her father deteriorated ahead of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Media scrutiny intensified around Thomas Markle, who was later found to have collaborated with photographers, staging images that appeared to show him preparing for the ceremony.
Days before the wedding, he withdrew, citing health concerns. King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, escorted Meghan down the aisle in his place.
No reconciliation since marriage
There is no evidence of a meaningful reconciliation between Meghan and her father following her marriage. Thomas Markle is not believed to have met Prince Harry and Meghan's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
He has publicly criticized the couple's decision to step back from royal duties and their subsequent critiques of the monarchy. In a past interview, he described them as "lost souls" who "don't know what they're looking for."
Uncertainty over response
As of Saturday evening, it remains unknown whether Thomas Markle has responded to his daughter's outreach. His current condition and location in the Philippines have not been independently verified.
