<p id=”par-1_48″>Before she <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/prince-harry-was-able-to-marry-meghan-markle-because-she-didnt-do-this-1-thing-in-her-past.html/”>married Prince Harry</a>, Meghan Markle painted a heartwarming story about her family life and relationship with her father, Thomas Markle Sr. Although she was very young when her mother, Doria Ragland, and Thomas got divorced, Meghan’s dad was still a constant presence throughout her life. </p>
<p id=”par-2_51″>But today, they no longer speak, and their relationship has deteriorated in the public eye. Now, with the news that Thomas was hospitalized in the Philippines and had emergency surgery, including a leg amputation, and is fighting for his life, many are wondering if he will ever see his daughter again.</p>
<p id=”par-3_30″>Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., has made a plea for <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/meghan-markle-getting-residual-checks-suits-surprise-streaming-success.html/”>the former <em>Suits</em> star</a> to “show some compassion” during this time and make the trip to visit their father. </p>
<p id=”par-4_36″>So will she hop on a private jet and make the trip? It seems doubtful given their estrangement. Here’s more on that, and the heartbreaking thing Thomas recently asked about Meghan going to his funeral. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-how-long-has-it-been-since-meghan-had-contact-with-her-father”>How long has it been since Meghan had contact with her father?</h2>
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<p id=”par-5_86″>Meghan has told stories about her dad in a positive light from her days visiting him on set when he was a lighting director for the TV sitcom <em>Married With Children</em> to the heartwarming advice he gave her about being unique when she was a child. It’s also been reported that he spent his lottery winnings to pay for Meghan’s education, and that his connections in the TV industry landed her a role on the soap opera <em>General Hospital</em> when she first got into acting. </p>
<p id=”par-6_47″>Moreover, in 2016, Meghan posted a photo of both her parents’ hands joined as they had <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/many-thanksgiving-holiday-dinners-meghan-markle-skip-lived-royals-u-k.html/”>a Thanksgiving dinner together</a>. She captioned it: “Giving thanks for so many things — including these two gems, who brought me into this world. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.”</p>
<p id=”par-7_61″>However, in 2018, a photo scandal orchestrated by Thomas made news, leaving questions about whether he would attend the royal wedding and meet his son-in-law. But just before the Sussexes tied the knot, it was reported that he suffered two heart attacks and would not be able to make it. Then-Prince Charles stepped in and <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/meghan-markle-stunned-prince-charles-4-words-offered-walk-down-aisle.html/?swcfpc=1″>walked Meghan down the aisle</a>. </p>
<p id=”par-8_75″>That was the beginning of the end of their father-daughter relationship. Thomas then turned to the media and shared that Meghan no longer speaks to him and refuses to forgive him for his mistake. The last time Thomas and Meghan spoke was before her wedding to Harry in 2018. Her father has never met any members of the royal family or his grandchildren, but has made several <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/meghan-markles-dad-moving-america-parting-message-grandkids-prince-archie-princess-lilibet.html/”>pleas to see Archie and Lilibet someday</a>. </p>
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<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/body-language-expert-analyzes-photos-meghan-markles-parents-1979-wedding-says-doria-ragland-looked-confident-thomas-markle-looked-awkward.html/”>
Body Language Expert Analyzes Photos of Meghan Markle’s Parents’ 1979 Wedding, Says Doria Ragland Looked ‘Confident’ While Thomas Markle Looked ‘Awkward’ </a>
</p>
</div>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-thomas-recently-asked-a-heartbreaking-question-about-meghan-attending-his-funeral”>Thomas recently asked a heartbreaking question about Meghan attending his funeral</h2>
<p id=”par-9_32″>In October 2025, <a href=”https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15162117/Meghan-Thomas-Markle-Philippines-earthquake-CAROLINE-GRAHAM.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Daily Mail</a> journalist Caroline Graham interviewed Thomas in his 19th-floor apartment in the Philippines. She revealed that they “talked for hours” and at one point Meghan’s dad “turned reflective.”</p>
<p id=”par-10_28″>Thomas asked Graham if, in the event of his death, she thinks his daughter would attend his funeral, saying: “Do you think Meghan will come to my funeral?”</p>
<p id=”par-11_31″>After a few beats, Graham said that Thomas tried to change the mood and joked, “Will I get a better funeral because my son-in-law is fifth in line to the throne?”</p>
<p id=”par-12_19″>Meghan reportedly still has not made contact with her father since the news of his hospitalization was announced. </p>