Turning 80 is a significant milestone in anyone’s life. But for Thomas Markle, his big day on July 18 will be tinged with regret and mixed emotions. “I never expected to make it to 80 because Markle men never do,” he said.
“My father died at 61. “I’ve had a good life and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished, but everything has been overshadowed by what has happened in the last six years. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “I’ve never been one for birthdays, but I know the one person I most want to hear from, Meghan, won’t be in touch.
I would love to meet my grandchildren, but I would be happy with a photograph at this stage.” Mr Markle became estranged from his youngest daughter, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in 2018 when he was unable to walk her down the aisle for her marriage to Prince Harry after he suffered two heart attacks on the eve of their wedding. The couple have not spoken to him since.
Mr Markle has never met his grandchildren Archie, five, and three-year-old Lilibet. Speaking from his cliffside home in Rosarito, Mexico, just 400km from the Sussexes’ 16-bathroom home in Montecito, California, he remains perplexed that he has also never met his son-in-law. “When I reflect back on my life, as you do when you are approaching 80, that’s one of the questions I cannot find an answer for,” he said.
“Why didn’t Harry ever come to meet me? He has the resources to fly around the world – and does – but why didn’t he come t.