Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has made a heartfelt appeal to reconnect with his daughter and meet his grandchildren, Lilibet and Archie, before he turns 80. In an emotional message, he publicly expressed his deep longing to reunite with Meghan, who has been distant from him for years. As he approaches a significant milestone in his life, Thomas is pleading with the Duchess of Sussex to allow him to be part of his grandchildren’s lives.

Thomas Markle’s Desire to Hear from Meghan

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas Markle admitted that birthdays have never been particularly important to him. However, this year is different—what he truly desires is to hear from his daughter.

“I’ve never been one for birthdays, but Meghan, the person I most want to hear from, won’t be in touch,” he revealed.

As his grandchildren grow older, Thomas believes they will inevitably start asking questions about their extended family.

“They are getting to the age where they will start asking questions, as all kids do,” he said. “They will wonder why they have been cut off from one entire side of their family.”

Interestingly, King Charles III, their other grandfather, has also expressed a similar sentiment about wanting to see his grandchildren. Thomas reflected on this, noting, “I never in my 80 years thought I’d be in the same boat as the King.”

A Strained Relationship and Missed Moments

Thomas was initially invited to escort Meghan down the aisle at her 2018 royal wedding, but due to health issues, he was unable to attend. Later, he admitted to working with a photographer to stage paparazzi photos, an incident that further strained his relationship with Meghan. Wanting to avoid further embarrassment for the royal family, he ultimately chose not to attend the wedding.

Since then, Thomas has remained distanced from Meghan and has never had the opportunity to meet his grandchildren. His disappointment is palpable, and he admits that at this point, even a photograph of Lilibet and Archie would bring him joy.

“I would love to meet my grandchildren, but at this point, even a photograph would make me happy,” he shared.

Reflecting on his life, Thomas acknowledged that his achievements have been overshadowed by recent events. He deeply regrets the ongoing estrangement and wishes he could mend the broken relationship with Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry.

“I wish we could have resolved this situation,” he said. “I never thought I’d live to be 80, but I was always willing and prepared.”

Why Meghan and Her Father Became Estranged

Meghan’s last known conversation with her father reportedly took place just before her wedding when Thomas was in the hospital. However, after he became embroiled in the paparazzi scandal, their relationship deteriorated completely. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, was the only family member present at the royal wedding, highlighting the growing rift between Meghan and Thomas.

During her highly publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan opened up about her strained family dynamics. She admitted that she continues to grieve the loss of the father-daughter bond they once shared.

While she has built a life with Prince Harry and their children in California, Meghan has remained firm in her decision to keep her distance from Thomas. The reasons behind her choice are deeply personal, though some speculate that past betrayals and media controversies played a significant role in her decision.

Will There Be Reconciliation?

Thomas’s public plea for reconciliation raises the question of whether Meghan will respond or if their estrangement will persist. Despite his regrets and efforts to reach out, there has been no indication from Meghan that she is willing to mend their relationship.

For now, Thomas remains hopeful that he will at least receive a response before his milestone birthday. He believes that life is too short to hold onto resentment and hopes that Meghan will reconsider her stance, not just for his sake, but for the sake of Lilibet and Archie.

“I just want the chance to be part of their lives, to be a grandfather to them,” he said.

Whether Meghan will open the door to communication remains uncertain, but Thomas Markle’s emotional plea serves as a reminder of the complexities of family relationships—especially when played out in the public eye.