THOMAS Markle is the father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
Here we take a look at his life, family and controversial relationship with the Royals.
Who is Thomas Markle?
Thomas Markle is the father of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
He was born on July 18, 1944, in Newport, Pennsylvania, US.
Before becoming related to the Royal Family, he made a name for himself as a lighting director and director of photography on a number of US TV shows.
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His resume includes working as a lighting director at WTTW-TV Channel 11 on their programme, Made In Chicago, which won him a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Thomas went on to work on the TV series General Hospital and the sitcom Married... With Children.
For his work on General Hospital in 1982 and 2011, Thomas won two Daytime Emmy Awards.
I'm a really loving father and she [Meghan] knows that, and there's no excuse for treating me this way — no excuse to treat grandparents that way
Thomas Markle
Thomas’ relationship with his daughter has been difficult for years — the pair have been estranged since her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
In September 2023, Thomas renewed pleas to see his grandkids Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2, on Good Morning Britain.
Speaking live from his California home, Thomas said: "I'm heartbroken. I am very upset.
"This is a cruel thing to do to a grandparent — to deny the right to see a grandchild.”
He added: "In California, I can actually sue to see them but I don't want to do that."
Thomas went on to say: "The other thing is I've done nothing wrong.
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"There's nothing that points to say I'm a bad guy.
"I'm a really loving father and she knows that, and there's no excuse for treating me this way — no excuse to treat grandparents that way."
Was Thomas Markle rushed to the hospital?
Thomas has faced a series of health issues in recent years.
In 2018 he had heart surgery following a heart attack in the run-up to his daughter’s royal wedding, and missed her big day.
Then-Prince Charles took over from Thomas' duties and walked Meghan down the aisle.
In May 2022, Thomas was rushed to the hospital after suffering from a stroke.
Is Thomas Markle married?
Thomas has been married twice, but following a divorce from his second wife in 1987, he never remarried.
His first marriage, to Roslyn Markle, lasted from 1964 to 1975.
Thomas went on to marry Doria Ragland — Meghan's mum — in 1979, before an amicable divorce in 1987.
Who are Thomas Markle's children?
Thomas has three children and seven grandchildren.
Together with his first wife Roslyn, Thomas had two children — Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle Jr.
Samantha was born on November 24, 1964, and is 17 years older than her duchess half-sister.
Samantha is a former actress and model, who lives in Florida.
She has two children from her first marriage to Earl Hale — Ashleigh and Christopher.
Samantha had her third child, daughter Noelle, with her second husband Scott Rasmussen.
Thomas Markle Jr was born on September 17, 1966.
He has reportedly led a quieter life than his sister, living in Oregon and working as a window fitter.
Thomas Jr has two children — Tyler and Thomas Dooley.
With his second wife Doria, Thomas Senior welcomed Meghan on August 4, 1981.
Meghan also has two children with her second husband Prince Harry.
Son Archie was born in the UK on May 6, 2019.
Lilibet Diana arrived two years later after the couple relocated to the US.
Her date of birth is June 4, 2021.
Meghan was previously married to Trevor Engelson, from 2011 until 2014.