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Meghan Markle is said to have instructed her aides to contact her estranged father, who is reportedly in intensive care following surgery, according to new reports.
Although the Duchess of Sussex’s spokesperson initially denied that she had reached out to her father through her team, just hours later they confirmed that Meghan had personally made contact. Thomas Markle is reported to have undergone a three-hour operation after what his son, Thomas Jr., described as a “life-threatening emergency.”
He was allegedly admitted to hospital earlier in the week and is now believed to be in stable condition. In light of the latest health concerns, The Times reports that the Duchess of Sussex has contacted her father via her staff — despite the pair being estranged since her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
The surgery is understood to have involved a leg amputation; however, the Daily Express has not been able to verify this detail.
The Times reported that the Duchess had “instructed aides to verify the claims of her father’s ill health,” adding that she had not been notified before the news became public.
However, the Duchess of Sussex’s spokesperson denied that she had asked her team to reach out, telling the Daily Express: “This is a complete fabrication. No aides have been instructed to reach out.”
Just a few hours later, a further statement offered clarification: “I can confirm she has reached out to her father.”
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The distressing news about Thomas Markle’s health was shared by his son, Thomas Jr., who provided an update on his condition.
He told the Daily Mail: “My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated.”
He continued: “There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death.”
The former TV lighting director underwent the surgery in the Philippines, where he relocated earlier this year.
Thomas Jr. explained: “One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical. His left leg has been removed below the knee. They were worried about infection setting in — sepsis or gangrene. The flesh was black and dying. There was no option given. It was either ‘we have to operate now and remove the leg or he may die.’ It was a life-threatening situation.”
Correction: This article was updated at 21:39 on December 5, 2025, to clarify reporting regarding the Duchess of Sussex’s communication with her father. The Duchess stated via a spokesperson that she did not instruct her aides to make contact. Later, her spokesperson confirmed that Meghan herself had reached out to her father.
