Meghan Markle appears to hint at sadness over lack of relationship with her father Thomas Markle

The Duchess of Sussex has shared a poignant message at a London charity carol concert.

Meghan Markle cuddles up to her father Thomas in childhood photos | Daily  Mail Online

Meghan Markle has hinted at sadness over the lack of a relationship with her father Thomas Markle.

The Duchess of Sussex shared a poignant message at a London charity carol concert, featuring Maya Angelou’s reflective poem that appears to hint at her feelings about her estranged father.

Meghan, 43, chose the poem “I’ve Learned” to be read at Tuesday’s Smart Works fundraising event at St Marylebone Parish Church.

The emotionally charged piece includes striking lines about parent-child relationships, coming at a time when the duchess remains estranged from her father, Thomas Markle.

Meghan Markle and Thomas Markle

Meghan Markle appears to hint at sadness over lack of relationship with her father Thomas Markle

The selection appears particularly meaningful as the festive season approaches, traditionally a time for family reconciliation.

The poem was accompanied by a personal message from the duchess to Smart Works, a charity where she has served as patron since 2019.

The poem’s most resonant line reads: “I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.”

This sentiment carries particular weight given Meghan’s complicated relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, 80, who has not spoken to his daughter since 2018.

\u200bThomas Markle with Meghan Markle
Thomas Markle has never met Prince Harry or his grandchildren

Their rift began when Thomas posed for paparazzi photographs before Meghan’s royal wedding, which he ultimately missed due to a heart attack.

“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,” Thomas told The Mail earlier this year.

The 80-year-old has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibett, despite living just 250 miles from the Sussexes’ Montecito home.

Before their estrangement, Meghan and her father shared a notably close relationship, as revealed in her former blog, The Tig.

Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle launching the Smart Works capsule collection at John Lewis in Oxford Street in 2019

In a 2014 Father’s Day post, she described Thomas as “thoughtful, inspiring, hardworking” and praised his dedication to her future.

Thomas, a retired lighting director, would wake at 5am to help straighten Meghan’s hair before school and regularly took her to dance classes, despite working 75-hour weeks.

Meghan lived with her father full-time from the age of 11 and often joined him on television sets where he worked on shows like General Hospital and Married With Children.

However, Thomas claims his daughter changed after finding fame. “The person she’s become isn’t the girl I raised,” he explained, suggesting her personality shifted during her time filming Suits in Canada.

Meghan Markle

Despite relocating to the US, Meghan has maintained her support for the organisation through her Archewell Foundation

His living room in Mexico still displays Meghan’s graduation photos and memories of their time together, including a picture from their Emmy Awards attendance.

Smart Works operates with 300 trained volunteers across the UK, including centres in Edinburgh, Manchester, Reading, Birmingham and Newcastle.

Despite relocating to the US, Meghan has maintained her support for the organisation through her Archewell Foundation.

The charity specialises in providing unemployed women with clothing and coaching to help secure employment.

Related Posts

🌠 Haunting, Surreal, Unfinished Yet Unforgettable — Why The OA Still Demands Your Attention ✨🕊

For fans of fantasy and sci-fi, few shows dare to push boundaries as audaciously as The OA, the enigmatic Netflix series created by Brit Marling and Zal…

Lost Jewels, Rediscovered Legacy: Who Will Inherit the Duchess of Kent’s Priceless Crown in a Royal Twist That’s Shocking the Palace?

The British royal family has long been associated with opulence, tradition, and treasures that carry centuries of history. Among these treasures, the jewels of the Duchess of…

Rotten to the Core at 0% 🍅 — The Horror Movie That Gave Henry Cavill His First Terrifying On-Screen Death 💔🎬

Long before Henry Cavill donned Superman’s cape in Man of Steel or wielded Geralt’s silver sword in The Witcher, he was a young actor navigating the unpredictable…

Royal Revelation: How the Duke of Kent’s Remarkable Wife, the Duchess, Defied Tradition to Transform Lives Through Music for Underprivileged Children Before Her Peaceful Passing

The recent passing of Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, on September 4, 2025, at the age of 92, has left a profound void in the British royal…

Rare Photo of Archie Shows He’s Following in Harry’s Footsteps and Uncle William Would Be Proud of His Soccer Passion

On September 1, 2025, Meghan Markle shared a rare glimpse into the life of her six-year-old son, Prince Archie, through a series of Instagram posts showcasing behind-the-scenes…

🚨 From Marvel Stars to Murder Mystery: Why Wind River Is Suddenly Exploding on Netflix Again 🎬👀

In the ever-shifting landscape of streaming platforms, where new releases often dominate the spotlight, a seven-year-old film has unexpectedly surged to prominence on Netflix. Taylor Sheridan’s Wind…