In a continuing saga of family estrangement, Meghan Markle has remained steadfast in her decision to distance herself from her father, Thomas Markle. Despite his repeated pleas for reconciliation and his attempts to meet his grandchildren, Meghan has shown no inclination to mend their fractured relationship.
Sources close to the Duchess of Sussex reveal that Meghan's stance remains unchanged. "Meghan still has no contact with her dad. She does not plan on having a relationship with him, and he has not met his grandkids. That ship has sailed," a source disclosed to Us Weekly. This statement underscores the seemingly insurmountable divide between the two, who have been estranged for over six years.
The rift between Meghan and Thomas Markle began in earnest before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Thomas's decision to stage paparazzi photos in exchange for money became a public scandal, creating a significant strain on their relationship. The situation was further exacerbated when Thomas suffered a heart attack just days before Meghan's wedding, preventing him from attending the event.
Despite Thomas Markle's health issues, including a stroke in 2022, Meghan has chosen to maintain her distance. His failed attempts to reconnect with his daughter have been marked by public declarations of heartbreak and frustration. In a recent interview with Good Morning Britain, Thomas lamented the fact that he has not seen Meghan or his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, since their estrangement began.
Thomas Markle's desperation to bridge the gap has been palpable. "I still haven't seen my grandkids," he said, referring to the Sussex children. "I want to see my grandkids, and I think the king would like to see his grandkids as well." His remarks about King Charles highlight the familial connections that have been strained due to the ongoing feud.
Meghan's reluctance to reconcile has been a point of contention. Thomas Markle has openly criticized the Duke of Sussex for not attempting to meet him, despite having the means to do so. "Why didn't Harry ever come to meet me? He has the resources to fly around the world - and does ... That has never made sense to me," Thomas expressed in an interview with the Mail on Sunday.
Thomas Markle's grievances extend beyond his own relationship with Meghan. He has publicly criticized Meghan for her perceived lack of compassion, especially in light of his health issues. Notably, during his stroke, Meghan chose to attend the site of a school shooting instead of visiting him, a decision that has been a source of deep hurt for Thomas.
The personal and public dimensions of this family drama were further explored in Meghan's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. Meghan reflected on the pain of the estrangement, stating, "I grieve a lot. I mean, I've lost my father." Despite this acknowledgment, she has not taken steps to reconcile, which suggests that the wounds may be too deep to heal.
