By Molly Claire Goddard
10:28am PST, Dec 16, 2025
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According to royal expert
Jennie Bond, Meghan Markle's relationship with
Thomas Markle Sr. — whose leg was amputated after suffering a blood clot — is too fraught to be fixed. "As I have often said, families are complicated," she told
The Mirror. "None of us truly knows what has gone on between Meghan and her father, but it is a very sad situation when a daughter cannot simply pick up the phone to her dad. It seems she has now contacted him by letter, and I'm sure that must be a great comfort to him as he lies in his hospital bed. But the Philippines [where Thomas lives] is a long way away from California [where Meghan lives] And, at the moment, it seems unlikely that Meghan is about to jump on a plane."
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If Meghan Markle reconnects with Thomas Markle Sr., she will likely set some strict rules. "She will also be wary because it seems that her father and brother [Thomas Markle Jr.] are intent on giving their side of the story. So, there would have to be a lot of trust and reassurance before any meeting," Jennie Bond said.
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No matter what Meghan Markle decides,
Prince Harry will have her back. "I'm sure Harry will support his wife in whatever she chooses to do about her relationship with her father [Thomas Markle Sr.]," Jennie Bond said. "It would be nice to think he [Thomas Sr.] could meet his [two] grandchildren and indeed his son-in-law before it is too late and be reconciled with the daughter he loves."
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Meghan Markle and Thomas Markle have been estranged since 2018 after the 81-year-old sold stories to the press. During an interview with
Daily Mail journalist
Caroline Graham after his recent surgery, Thomas Sr. questioned whether the Duchess of Sussex would even attend his
funeral. "Will I get a better funeral because my son-in-law is fifth in line to the throne?" he said, referencing
Prince Harry.
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Despite Meghan Markle reaching out by letter, her representative slammed Thomas Markle Sr. for giving interviews amid his hospitalization. "Given that a Daily Mail reporter has remained at her father's bedside throughout, broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days," the spokesperson said in a statement.
