Camilla Jessen
Thomas Markle: “I want to reconcile with my daughter”
Meghan Markle has attempted to contact her father, Thomas Markle, following news of his emergency surgery, even as new claims suggest he believes she has not reached out.
The Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her father since 2018, but sources say she moved quickly once she learned of his medical crisis.
The situation has been complicated by communication challenges, including Thomas not having access to his phone while in intensive care.
Conflicting accounts
According to a spokesperson for Meghan, the Duchess “reached out” via email late Friday morning Pacific time after learning of the surgery. The message reportedly sent without generating any bounce-back errors.
But Daily Mail reported that Thomas was “confused” by the statement and said he had not heard from his daughter.
A journalist in contact with him told PEOPLE that Thomas currently does not have his phone, and Meghan does not have another working number for him.
Because of Prince Harry’s past experience with phone hacking, leaving a voicemail was deemed inappropriate.
Efforts to locate him
Sources told PEOPLE that Meghan has called multiple hospitals in an effort to confirm where her father is being treated, hoping to arrange a hand-delivered note since he cannot access his phone.
So far, those attempts have not been successful.
Her team is also seeking updated contact details from people close to Thomas, who is recovering in intensive care in the Philippines.
A hospital source quoted by The Mail on Sunday said no inquiry from Meghan or her representatives had been logged, adding, “As far as we are aware, it didn’t happen.”
Thomas Markle’s response
In the same report, Thomas expressed a desire for reconciliation but uncertainty about the timing.
“Of course I want to speak to her, but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances,” he said.
“I’ve always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her. I don’t want to die estranged from Meghan. I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband, too,” he added, referring to Prince Harry and the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
He also said he has not changed his phone number, adding he has “always wanted Meg to be able to call me.”
Thomas and his son, Thomas Markle Jr., did not respond to requests for comment.
Sources: PEOPLE; Daily Mail.
