As King Charles III continues cancer treatment and Thomas Markle remains hospitalized following a leg amputation, there has been renewed speculation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might reach out to their fathers in a moment of compassion. However, royal experts say the long-standing family rifts are unlikely to heal anytime soon.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams believes reconciliation between Meghan and her father is effectively off the table. “Meghan and her father will never reconcile,” Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. He added, “It’s reported, though not confirmed, that she has said so by letter. Her family sounds appalling.”
Fitzwilliams pointed to years of tension and public disputes as the root of the estrangement. “Her half-sister was behind the staged paparazzi photographs, which led to a rift with her father, who has also widely criticized her in the media. That has certainly led to a complete breakdown in their relationship,” he said. “Her relationship with her father, a tragedy for both of them, is nothing short of a mess,” Fitzwilliams added.
The comments follow a report from The Times of London suggesting there is little chance that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will repair what the outlet described as their “deeply damaged” relationships with their fathers. According to the report, there is “little hope” that a letter Meghan reportedly wrote to Thomas Markle would lead to a meeting or even a phone call. It also noted that she has not sent him photographs of her children, whom he has never met.
Thomas Markle, a former Hollywood lighting director, recently told The Mail on Sunday that he does not want to die estranged from his daughter. The 81-year-old is currently hospitalized in the Philippines after undergoing emergency surgery that reportedly resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
People magazine previously reported that Meghan attempted to reach her father during his recent health crisis, but her calls and emails were unsuccessful.
On the royal side, King Charles III shared a health update on Dec. 12, saying that an early diagnosis would allow doctors to reduce his cancer treatment in the new year. Despite that news, Prince Harry is not expected to spend Christmas with the royal family. Reports indicate he has not spoken with his father since a brief reunion in September and remains out of contact with his brother, Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Harry and Meghan have lived largely apart from both families since stepping back from royal duties. Meghan and Thomas have been estranged since her marriage to Harry in 2018, while Harry’s relationship with the royal family has been strained for years.
According to observers, the emotional wounds on both sides are too deep and too fresh for meaningful reconciliation, especially during the holidays.
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