Thomas Markle: 'Hurt and upset' over Sussexes' move
Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle, has been left 'hurt and upset' by Prince Harry and Meghan's impending return to the UK, saying he fears he may never meet his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet. The 82-year-old, who has never met Harry or his grandchildren, said he learned of the couple's plans from a television broadcast rather than from his daughter directly.
"I saw on CNN that they were returning to England. I found out about it at the same time as the rest of the world," he told The Mail on Sunday. "I'm hurt and upset that she doesn't give a damn about me, even though I'm in hospital," he added.
Reflecting on their once-close bond, Mr Markle said: "Meghan used to love me, she was always a daddy's girl, and now it's like I don't exist." He has never met Archie, seven, or Lilibet, five. With the family leaving America now, he said: "I have never met my grandchildren. One day those kids will ask about their 'other' grandfather - the one who isn't King - the one that Meghan and Harry are apparently ashamed of." He added: "I hope they know how much I wanted to meet them."
A plea from a father
Thomas Markle's distress appears to have deepened as the possibility of meeting his grandchildren fades. "While they were in the US, I always hoped they might come and see me. Now they are leaving, that hope has gone," he told The Mail on Sunday. In a poignant reflection on their strained relationship, he said: "I will never stop loving my daughter but I will never understand why she turned her back on me."
The 82-year-old's medical situation adds another layer to his fears. He is currently recuperating in an American rehabilitation facility following a below-the-knee amputation. GB News reported that he underwent the procedure in December after developing a life-threatening blood clot while living in the Philippines. His half-sister, Samantha Markle, said earlier that she is "really proud of dad's progress" and that every day is a blessing. Details of his hospitalization were also confirmed in the same interview with The Mail on Sunday, where he mentioned being "in hospital" while making his comments.
The rift and the move
The relationship between Thomas Markle and his daughter broke down ahead of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, after it was reported that he had staged paparazzi photographs. According to multiple sources, he has not spoken to her since.
Prince Harry and others have continued to live in the United States with their children. Thomas Markle's comments come as the couple prepares to relocate permanently to Britain. In his interview, he said: "I saw on CNN that they were returning to England" - confirming reports that they plan to make their home in a non-royal residence outside London. Their children are reported to begin at new schools in early September; no official photographs will be released on their start days or birthdays, according to several reports.
The reported return has also driven speculation about the family's prospective new home, with some outlets suggesting the rugged beauty of the Cotswolds region as a possible location. It is unclear whether the family will adopt an ancestral or modern residence, but reports have consistently outlined that they intend to be an ordinary presence in Britain, with no change to their status as non-working royals.
Public reactions expert views
The Sussexes' reported move has also prompted commentary, including remarks from author Amanda Platell, who shared her views with The Daily Mail. In more cautious terms, she was quoted as saying that Prince Harry's excitement seemed to leave him "buoyed, very happy and really energised" and wanting to "spend more time with his family," although she suggested the motivation may not be specifically about King Charles. She expressed a fear that the return could be a "softening-up exercise" ahead of a media operation to reverse their low popularity, remarking that Harry languishes at 27% and Meghan at 18%. She also cautioned that if Harry imagines he will "The other side""swan back into Britain and all will be forgotten and forgiven, then he is in for a rude awakening," adding that he "burnt most bridges here a long time ago."
No comment
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the reported move. Meghan's spokesperson previously confirmed that she had "reached out" to her father by delivering a letter after his health crisis. That statement followed confusion over whether contact had been made. The spokesperson's release said: "It has been exceedingly difficult for the Duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days. With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands." That position has not been repeated or updated since. The couple's own representatives have also remained silent about the details of the move, focusing their public acknowledgement simply on the children's schooling.
Perspectives
No commentary or counterpoints were included because the events themselves are naturally in dispute; the article is solely based on his quoted matter and a few clearly attributed statements.