Meghan Markle’s estranged father Thomas Markle, 81, is learning to walk again after having his left leg amputated below the knee following a massive blood clot, whilst reports suggest reconciliation with his daughter remains unlikely
Meghan Markle’s estranged father has provided a fresh health update following his forced leg amputation. The 81-year-old had his left leg amputated below the knee earlier this month after being rushed to hospital in the Philippines, where he currently resides, following a severe blood clot. Mr Markle has remained estranged from his daughter since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, when their relationship deteriorated after he orchestrated paparazzi photographs prior to the wedding ceremony.
Following his operation, Meghan reached out to her father via letter after urgently attempting to contact him, although the contents have never been disclosed.
Mr Markle has now disclosed that he has had “much to celebrate” this Christmas as he begins learning to walk again. He has relocated to a rehabilitation facility in Cebu City, near his son Tom Jnr, Meghan’s half-brother, and is reportedly awaiting fitting for a prosthetic limb, reports the Mirror.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, he stated: “I have much to celebrate. I am doing well and would like to thank all the people from around the world who have sent well-wishes. I’m doing physiotherapy every day and have managed to sit on the side of the bed and even stood on my one remaining leg with the help of a nurse and a walking frame. That was a wonderful Christmas present. There is a long way to go but I am so grateful to the wonderful doctors and nurses who are taking such good care of me.”
Following Mr Markle’s recent health crisis, it emerged that she had successfully delivered a letter to him. Nevertheless, reports suggest that the Duchess of Sussex has received no response to her correspondence and has subsequently removed her father’s contact details, with no intention of reconciling.
The Sunday Times reports that Meghan has refrained from telephoning her father during his hospitalisation, concerned that their discussion might be intercepted. The newspaper indicates that the Duchess believes a reunion is unlikely to ever occur.
Earlier this month, Mr Markle expressed hope that supporters would contribute to a crowdfunding campaign as he struggles to cover medical expenses following his amputation. The former Hollywood lighting technician and his son Thomas Jnr are compelled to fund his treatment privately, as his medical insurance refuses to provide coverage.
Thomas Jnr has expressed frustration over online assertions that Meghan, who reportedly possesses a fortune worth tens of millions following lucrative contracts with companies such as Netflix and Spotify, had made a donation to the hospital treating their father. Despite these allegations, he maintains that Meghan, 44, and her spouse, Prince Harry, 41, have not contributed “a nickel” towards assistance.
He expressed: “It would have been nice to walk into the hospital and not have to pay any more bills and scramble to get the money from here, from there, wherever. That would have been nice the other day when I had to go in there and pay another $3,000 and then sign a promissory note for another $2,000.In a video on his YouTube channel, Thomas Jnr characterised his father as “a trouper” and “a tough old b******”. He continued: “He’s really been through a lot. Dad’s got a long road ahead of him and he’s okay and that’s the most important thing. I’m here protecting my dad, looking after my dad. I always have been. I always will be.”
