As Thomas Markle approaches his 80th birthday next month, he recently had a heartfelt interview with GB News TV. Despite his dislike for celebrating birthdays, this milestone holds special significance for him. “I’ve never been one for birthdays,” he admitted, “but I know the one person I most want to hear from—Meghan—will not be in touch. I’d love to meet my grandchildren,” he added wistfully, “but I’d be happy with just a photograph at this stage.
The estrangement between Thomas Markle and his youngest daughter, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been a topic of much speculation since 2018. Markle was unable to walk Meghan down the aisle for her marriage to Prince Harry due to two heart attacks suffered just before the wedding. Since then, the couple has not spoken to him, and Markle has yet to meet his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet.
Speaking from his home in Rosarito, Mexico, just 250 miles from the Sussex’s 16-bathroom mansion in Montecito, California, Markle expressed his confusion and sadness. “Why didn’t Harry ever come to meet me?” he questioned.
For insights into this emotional saga, we welcome U.S. political and royal commentator Hillary Fordwich. “Hillary, excellent to see you again. What’s your take on this sad story?”
“Well, you’re absolutely right, Mark. It is a frightfully sad story,” Fordwich began. “Thomas also mentioned that he never thought he’d have something in common with the King, who also doesn’t know his grandchildren. It’s a very sad state of affairs. The hypocrisy here is striking—Meghan claims to care about people, yet her own father is left out. It was only in 2016 that she posted on Instagram calling her dad ‘the greatest in the world.'”
Fordwich pointed out the Sussexes’ PR-driven lives and how this family rift is damaging their image. “Poor old Thomas Markle, as he approaches his 80th birthday, is a serious thorn in the side and an ongoing embarrassment to the couple. Meghan went from being number two to Princess Katherine to being practically nothing in terms of royal status.”
The commentator didn’t hold back on the broader implications. “Prince Harry has squandered the love and empathy of a nation. Thomas Markle is experiencing the same isolation as the King, and it’s a deep sadness. Meghan has a track record of cutting people off—her friends, her family, even her adopted dog. Thomas Markle has coined the term ‘being Markled’ to describe being dumped.”
However, Mark reminded us there are two sides to every story. “Hillary, what about the allegations that Thomas Markle leaked some of Meghan’s private correspondence and that he staged photos in an Internet café?”
“Yes, Mark, he was purportedly paid for those paparazzi photos before the wedding. From what I’ve heard, he was duped, and her sister Samantha insists he didn’t realize how hurtful it would be. But again, the hypocrisy is glaring—if it’s so terrible to expose family to the public, why have Meghan and Harry done it themselves?”
As the interview concluded, Fordwich turned to the political landscape, where former President Donald Trump has been experiencing a resurgence. “Despite facing numerous legal challenges, Trump has received a $50 million donation, and donations have been pouring in from everyday Americans. This demonstrates a significant shift, with new voters rallying behind him.”
“Hillary, always a thrill to have you on the show. We’ll catch up soon. Thank you for your insights.”
