Did Meghan Markle reach out to Thomas Markle after his surgery? Duchess's rep gives update as estranged father battles complications

Meghan Markle is extending a rare olive brand under dire circumstances. After news broke that her estranged father, Thomas Markle, underwent an emergency leg amputation and remains in intensive care overseas, the Duchess of Sussex quietly reached out, a spokesperson confirmed.

On Friday, Dec. 5, the Duchess's representative exclusively told People:

"I can confirm she has reached out to her father."

Meghan Markle's estranged father, 81-year-old Thomas Markle — a retired Hollywood lighting director — was brought to the intensive care unit in the Philippines and had his leg amputated on Dec. 3.

Per his son, Thomas Markle Jr., it was ultimately decided to cut off his father's left foot and lower leg after a blood clot stopped circulation and the limb turned black. He added that the surgery was a "life or death" situation. He shared with 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."

Meghan Markle's estranged father Thomas Markle undergoes leg amputation after severe blood clot

Thomas Markle was rushed via ambulance to a hospital in Cebu, a city in the Philippines, where he moved with his son earlier this year to start a "new life" away from what he called the "constant pain" of his estrangement from the Duchess.

He is now in a stable condition, although the doctors remain "extremely concerned" for the former lighting director. Thomas Jr. wrote:

"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."

Meghan Markle has been estranged from her father since 2018, following her wedding to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. He has also never met his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet.

Thomas Markle, who raised Meghan single-handedly from when she was 11 to 18, even posed for paparazzi photos on the night of the royal wedding, believing they would show him in a better light.

Later, after suffering two heart attacks, he mentioned that his daughter was "furious" with him.

He was then unable to attend Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding, which took place at St. George's Chapel. At the time, the Suits actress walked down the aisle on her own at the first part before King Charles escorted him down the next half.

With this, Meghan Markle's father called HRH "incredibly kind and generous."

Also Read: What led to Meghan Markle’s estranged relationship with her father? Details explored as he loses his leg in surgery

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