Thomas Markle has opened up about his estranged relationship with his daughter, Meghan Markle.

Meghan Markle’s dad has insisted he is not looking for sympathy following his fall-out with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018.

Thomas Markle, who celebrates his 80th birthday next month, has commented on his feud with his daughter and claimed he “doesn’t want pity”.

Meghan’s dad famously fell out with his daughter following his paparazzi scandal and absence from her wedding in 2018. The duo have not had contact over the last six years and Thomas has not even seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie, five, or Princess Lilibet, three, or even met Prince Harry.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Thomas said: “When you look at what Harry and Meghan have done since, like accusing the Royal Family of racism, it’s far worse than anything I’ve done. I don’t want pity and I don’t want this episode to define my life. I don’t want to be a footnote in history.”

Thomas described how he has “had a good life and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished”, adding that “everything has been overshadowed by what has happened in the last six years.”

Meghan Markle has not spoken to her father since 2018 (Image: Getty)

Thomas went on to describe how he was “vulnerable” when all the drama began with Harry and Meghan. He famously missed giving Meghan away at her wedding after he suffered two heart attacks prior to the nuptials, meaning that Charles ended up walking her down the aisle in his place.

He said: “When the drama started with Meghan and Harry I was already well into my 70s and, while I did not realise it at the time, I was vulnerable.”

Growing up, Meghan had a close relationship with her father, but the two have been estranged for the past six years, making a reconciliation in the future unlikely – they have not seen each other since before her wedding to Prince Harry.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he also said: “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.”

He also added: “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 to see me…” He further questioned: “What man gets married without meeting his wife’s father?”

Harry has never met his father-in-law, Thomas Markle (Image: Getty)

An Emmy-award winning Hollywood lighting director, Mr Markle’s long life has taken him from small-town Pennsylvania to the bright lights of Hollywood.

Mr Markle said: “They were interesting times. I loved my career and enjoyed being behind the camera. I worked with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, like Elizabeth Taylor, and covered the red carpet at the Oscars.”

The Duchess of Sussex and her dad became estranged in 2018 days before her wedding to Prince Harry when Thomas staged paparazzi photos with a British tabloid and, according to Meghan, lied to her about talking to the press.`

Meghan previously opened up about her broken relationship with her dad during her bombshell 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. She told her: “I grieve a lot,” she said. She added: “I mean, I’ve lost my father.”

Mr Markle will celebrate his milestone birthday on July 18 this year but has admitted he does not expect to hear from Meghan, even though he still hangs onto the hope.