The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has no plans to reunite with her estranged father, Thomas Markle, and is believed to have given up hope of repairing their fractured relationship.
Mr Markle, 81, is currently hospitalised in Cebu, the Philippines, where he is recovering from surgery that resulted in the amputation of his leg below the knee. Reports say the Duchess recently sent him a letter outlining her feelings about his repeated media interviews, but she has not spoken to him directly and has reportedly deleted his phone number.
According to The telegraph, Meghan has avoided calling her father over concerns that any conversation could be overheard by members of the press. An email she attempted to send was also believed not to have reached him, prompting her to send the same message in writing.
Mr Markle confirmed from his hospital bed that he had received the letter but said he had not heard from his daughter otherwise. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, he expressed a desire to reconcile, saying he did not want to remain estranged and hoped to meet his grandchildren and Prince Harry.
Despite this, sources close to the Duchess say she no longer believes the relationship can be repaired before her father’s death and has cut off direct contact. The pair have not spoken since 2018, after Mr Markle collaborated with paparazzi photographers to stage images ahead of Meghan’s wedding.
Read more from New Daily Prime: Meghan Markle hits major Instagram milestone just 1 day after unveiling account
After learning of her father’s surgery on December 3, the Duchess reportedly attempted to contact him via email before sending a letter through trusted intermediaries. She is said to hope the contents of the correspondence remain private and has not received a response.
Mr Markle, however, claimed he was “confused” by reports of attempted contact, insisting he had not changed his phone number and had not received any messages.
A spokesperson for the Duchess previously said her efforts to communicate privately had been complicated by the presence of reporters at her father’s bedside, adding that ethical boundaries had been breached.
Before their estrangement, Mr Markle had played a significant role in Meghan’s life, supporting her education and early acting career after his divorce from her mother when she was six. In past tributes, Meghan had described her father as a source of inspiration and encouragement.
Mr Markle has never met Prince Archie or Princess Lilibet. In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry wrote that his wife was “mourning” the loss of her father.
While relations with her father remain strained, the Duchess continues to maintain a close bond with her mother, Doria Ragland, who regularly visits the Sussexes’ home in California and has an active role in the lives of her grandchildren.
For more details, visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news